The Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the recommendations of the Cumbria Climate Assembly, receive an update on the Borderlands Place Programme, and review the committee's work plan. The committee noted the Cumbria Climate Assembly Report and agreed to a short inquiry to consider and develop recommendations in respect of Building Control service improvement. They also noted progress on the Borderlands Place Programme for Longtown, Wigton and Egremont.

Cumbria Climate Assembly Report

The committee reviewed the Cumbria Climate Assembly Report, which details the process and recommendations of the Cumbria Climate Assembly. The assembly was commissioned by the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership¹ with support from the National Lottery, and it addressed the question:

Many people in Cumbria feel unheard and unable to influence those who make decisions on climate change action. What can be done about this?

The assembly, which ran from March to April 2025, consisted of 42 members selected to reflect the demographic characteristics of Cumbria. The members met for approximately 30 hours, hearing from 23 commentators and sharing their own opinions. The assembly produced 11 'principles for good engagement' and 16 recommendations covering a range of topics.

The report highlighted that 72% of people feel they cannot influence decisions that affect the UK as a whole, while 55% feel unable to influence decisions at a local level. The assembly's recommendations included:

• MPs and all other elected representatives need to be proactive, seeking the views of everyone rather than reactively responding to the vocal minority.
• Local plans need to inform people how to have their voices heard during the creation of the plans.
• More needs to be done to focus on what we stand to gain from climate action rather than what we stand to lose.
• The set up of a Cumbria-wide independent central hub where all groups can access information and resources.
• When local authorities make a decision on any matter, they must carry out a carbon impact assessment which must be included in any documents relating to the decision.
• Funding should be ringfenced to engage the public in options assessments before any infrastructure development is proposed.
• It is essential to engage young people and in order for this engagement to be meaningful all organisations should apply the Lundy principles².
• Climate change should have a compulsory part in the curriculum.
• There should be a pilot for a standing assembly on climate change and nature in Cumbria with a rotating membership.
• The planning system and planning documents are difficult for the public to understand.
• We are opposed to the draconian antiprotest laws which stifle discussion and democratic engagement and make people more radical and disruptive or politically apathetic.
• Organisations should experiment with new, different, innovative and diverse ways of engaging with communities that seek out lived experience and tap into the ideas and energies of everyone.
• The system is not responding as if this is an emergency.
• Businesses need joined up sustainability and engagement corporate functions with real opportunities for employees or citizens to influence decisions.
• We recommend using fun and creative ways to engage the whole community.
• Shareholders can remind companies that their priorities may not be only financial, but environmental.

The committee agreed to note the report.

Borderlands Place Programme Update

The committee received an update on the Borderlands Place Programme, which is designed to support the economic success, resilience, and social sustainability of smaller towns in the region. The Borderlands Growth Deal is a £450m rural cross-border growth deal that covers the local authority areas either side of the England/Scotland border. The Place Programme is an essential component of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal drawing down £50m of Deal funding provided by the UK and Scottish Governments.

The strategic objectives of the Place Programme are to:

• Empower local communities.
• Safeguard existing businesses and attract new businesses.
• Maintain and increase the number of visitors.
• Safeguard existing employment and deliver new jobs and opportunities.
• Maintain and increase the number of people living in our towns and town centres.
• Retain and increase our working age population.
• Maintain and raise the standard of the physical environment.

Twenty-one towns were identified as potential beneficiaries of the programme including three within the Cumberland area – Egremont, Wigton and Longtown. Each town has up to £3m of capital funding to support regeneration projects.

Egremont, Longtown and Wigton have completed their place plans and are currently in Stage 2a.

Egremont

Egremont has developed its Borderlands Town Investment Plan (BTIP) which has been submitted and is currently being assessed by the Place Programme Board. The BTIP has three projects:

• Redevelopment of the former Red Lion site: The derelict site of the former Red Lion hotel, and 3 – 5 Market Place will be redeveloped to create a new Creative Courtyard overlooked by visually impressive gateway building(s) to the front of the site creating a welcoming entrance, and the redevelopment of the dis-used and dilapidated building to the rear of the site, all Cumberland Council assets. Together these elements will create a well-being hub in the heart of Egremont town centre.
• Redevelopment of Florence Arts Centre: Florence Arts Centre has operated from the former Florence Mine shower block building for over 10 years. The building is not ideal and whilst it has enabled development of the arts centre, it is now restricting further growth. The project aims to enhance and develop the cultural and heritage offer in Egremont and increase visitors to both the arts centre and Egremont town.
• Connecting Egremont: This scheme aims to improve perceptions of Egremont, increase visitor numbers, spend and footfall in the town centre by ensuring connectivity between key assets and encouraging exploration on foot /cycle. The creation of a Town Trail will encourage visitors to explore the town centre and surrounding assets and improved wayfinding and signage in the town centre will increase footfall along Main Street.

Longtown

Longtown is currently in the process of developing its BTIP. The process of project selection and prioritisation has been completed. The BTIP will have two projects:

• Longtown Community Centre Hub: This scheme involves improvements to the sustainability of the Centre by optimising the use of the internal space, rationalising the car park, modifying the road junction and entrance to the Centre to provide pedestrian friendly public realm and an improved setting for the memorial.
• Safe and Attractive A7: This scheme seeks to reduce the impact of vehicular traffic on the Town Centre and its residents. The project will deliver improvements in pedestrian crossing points, traffic calming measures with more natural planting to soften the dominance of vehicles through the town.

Wigton

Wigton is also currently in the process of developing its BTIP. The process of project selection and prioritisation has been completed. The BTIP will have three projects:

• Water Street car park: The key aims for this project is to provide the residents with a safe and flexible event space for key and growing events while also focussing on reconfiguring the car park to prioritise pedestrian safety in addition to rationalising and maximising parking spaces.
• Wigton King Street / Station Road: This scheme involves the narrowing of the junction linking King Street and Station Road in Wigton to provide a safe crossing point for pedestrians and a pocket park on King Street to provide a greater sense of arrival and greenery to the Town Centre.
• Throstle Park: This scheme would deliver improvements to the park and build on improvements made to the Park by Wigton Town Council. The proposal includes planting of new trees, benches and creation of natural play area to encourage dwell time and providing a safe environment for families and children to play. Options to create a bridge linking the recreational fields at Barton Laws with the Park and creation of a pump track are being explored.

The committee agreed to note the progress on the Borderlands Place Programme for Longtown, Wigton and Egremont.

Scrutiny Overview Report and Draft Workplan

The committee considered the Scrutiny Overview Report and Draft Workplan. The Strategic Policy and Scrutiny Manager, Clare Killeen, provided an overview of the report, highlighting the most recent Forward Plan of Key Decisions, the progress on resolutions from previous meetings and the draft work programme for 2025 to 2027.

The committee agreed to a short inquiry to consider and develop recommendations in respect of Building Control service improvement.