in-Cumbria event showcasing unitary councils anniversary hailed a hit

Newsquest's in-Cumbria Presents: The Unitary Councils One Year On was held at the North Lakes Hotel and Spa in Penrith on Friday, April 19. 

The event was a chance for attendees to ask the authorities the questions impacting them and their businesses directly, as well as encouraging key debates and conversations around how the business community and councils are able to support each other in the future.

Attendee's at the in-Cumbria event in Penrith (Image: NQ staff)

What did our attendees think ?

John Grainger, Executive Director at Britain's Energy Coast Business Cluster, said: "It was a great day because it brought together the leaders of both councils which is very important for business, they gave a lot of their time which we are very grateful for.

"In terms of particular topics the elements around how we can bring business together more, and how business and the community can benefit are paramount in these types of discussions."

Executive Director John Grainger asks the panel a question. (Image: NQ staff)

Nicky Gordon, Managing Director at Genesis Homes, said: "It was a really insightful session. As a Cumbrian business and knowing the challenges that our industry faces in getting developments ‘on site’ within the county, it was an excellent opportunity to ‘get personal’ with the unitary leadership.

"It’s important that the authorities now start delivering for the housing sector in the county. Future prosperity and wellbeing goes hand in hand with high quality and aspirational housing, the authorities say they want and need it and now they need to get behind it and make it happen."

Genesis Homes MD Nicky Gordon addresses the panel (Image: NQ staff)

What did our panellists think ? 

Cumberland Council leader, Mark Fryer, said: "It's been great to meet real people and listen to their experience, what a great county we live in where people want to make it better every day, and we want to work with them.

"It brings people together and allows you to talk to people on a one to one basis in a room, so it gets right to the heart of what the business community want."

Westmorland and Furness Council leader, Jonathan Brook, said: "It's been a great opportunity to network and actually to hear what people think about the authorities and where we can improve or where we are already doing some good stuff, so really welcoming the opportunity to listen."

The event was a great success for all involved. (Image: NQ staff)

Alison Hatcher, Assistant Chief Executive at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: "It's been a great event, really refreshing to come and listen to what businesses have got to say and hear the feedback- there is a lot for us to take back and build upon, so it's been great.

Darren Crossley, Director of Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport at Cumberland Council, said: "Let's have more of these, in the space of the time after questions and answers I have probably met about four or five people where I have thought brilliant I have got a really good connection now. 

"I think it's good for the audience, because particularly where the leaders are concerned, they get to hear first hand what is the current opinion, what is the future direction, so I have really enjoyed it."

The next in-Cumbria business magazine networking event will be in-Cumbria celebrates Cumbria Tourism’s 50th anniversary, which will be held at The Halston Hotel, Carlisle, on Tuesday, May 14.

For more information you can sign up here.