£12,000 for two-day-month chairman
Last updated 15:43, Wednesday, 29 April 2009

FORMER energy minister Brian Wilson will earn £12,000 a year for doing two days’ work a month chairing West Cumbria Vision.

And the powerful new decision-maker for all regeneration activity across Copeland and Allerdale will also have a fulltime programme director on a salary at the high end of five figures.

This appointment is set to be made shortly.

The new organisation will employ the staff of West Lakes Renaissance, the urban regeneration body which will be maintained at board level to monitor West Cumbria’s Vision performance.

Bob Pointing, who has been chief executive for West Lakes Renaissance covering West Cumbria and Furness, has already taken up a new role as programme director for Barrow Vision but the rest of the staff transfers are still in process.

Asked about the creation of another highly paid post in West Cumbria following Bob Pointing’s switch, a spokesman said: “The restructuring is not about creating more posts but bringing everyone together and making the most of the resources in order to deliver the regeneration programmes in the most effective way

“One of the fundamental reasons for West Lakes Renaissance being retained at board level is for its role in being able to attract more funding.”

West Cumbria Vision will also have substantial money from nuclear industry backers to deliver major projects linked to the Energy Coast masterplan.

Brian Wilson, the £12,000 a year (two days a month chairman) for the next three years, answered a job advert calling for “exceptional and passionate people whose heart belongs in Cumbria and whose skills can deliver change.”

Taken from The News & Star / [Link] / [Back to top]

Carlisle historic quarter parking changes plan 'not dead'
Last updated 12:51, Monday, 20 April 2009

A plan to pedestrianise Carlisle’s ‘historic quarter’ is NOT dead, according the chairman of the committee that blocked it.

Cumbria County Council last week deferred a decision on whether to allow a proposal to remove parking spaces from Castle Way.

The plan, which would also include the removal of a number of disabled bays, was drawn up by Carlisle City Council as part of the Renaissance scheme and intended to make the area around the cathedral more attractive to visitors.

However, it was passionately opposed by businesses which said the removal of parking would lead to a slump in trade and could force some to the wall.

Although last week’s ruling means the proposal is still technically alive, many have interpreted the decision as the death blow for the project. But Cyril Weber, chairman of the county council’s local area committee for Carlisle, said he hoped the idea would be revived.

“It now goes back to the city council and we have asked for a number of criteria to be met before it goes ahead,” he said.

“We want to see a strategy for how other car parks would be improved to cater for the loss of provision. Devonshire Street car park needs to be properly utilised and needs proper access, for example.

“I am still hopeful that if those criteria are met, we could still proceed with this scheme.”

Last week’s decision to defer was carried by just two votes over a rival suggestion by Conservative councillor John Mallinson to scrap the scheme completely.

The ruling came after the committee had heard objections from the business community and disabled groups. It was claimed that trade would drop by 30 to 40 per cent and that 25 per cent of shoppers would go elsewhere if they could not park nearby.

Mr Weber said: “Despite the reservations of the business community, they know as well as we do that something needs to be done to combat traffic in the area which will be of benefit to businesses in the long run.

City council leader Mike Mitchelson last week criticised the decision to defer the scheme saying it showed a “lack of foresight” and represented a “missed opportunity”.

The scheme will now go back to the city council which will decide whether or not to proceed.

Taken from The News & Star / [Link] / [Back to top]

Nuclear nomination is boost for regeneration - Cumbria Vision chief
Last updated 12:49, Friday, 17 April 2009

The nomination of three sites for potential new nuclear power stations in Cumbria is a huge boost for the area, according to the county’s top regeneration chief.

Roger Liddle, chairman of Cumbria Vision, said the decision by the Government to shortlist sites at Braystones, near Egremont, Kirksanton, near Millom, and a patch of land to the north of the existing Sellafield complex, will provide a catalyst for the future economic renaissance of the whole of Cumbria.

He added: “Two years ago, west Cumbria was simply not a player when it came to nuclear new build, which is why having three of the potential sites published is such a boost for our Britain’s Energy Coast ambitions.

“The hard work to attract interest from utility companies means we have three hats in the ring and a greater chance of securing a new power station.

“The strength of this interest holds huge economic potential for an area which not only boasts world-renowned skills to support the UK’s nuclear renaissance, but also the expertise to support other forms of low carbon and renewable energy production.

“Nuclear is the catalyst and not the sum total of our Energy Coast initiative.”

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published details of all 11 nominated sites on Wednesday.

The Braystones and Kirksanton applications by German power giant RWE npower remains controversial, with much local opposition.

The company says it has already secured farmland sites in the two locations and has secured a grid connection for Braystones giving enough capacity to supply power to five million homes.

The Government’s final list of shortlisted candidates is not expected until early next year.

The public has until May 14 to comment on the list which was published this week.

Taken from The News & Star / [Link] / [Back to top]