BARROW council officials are planning talks with the Government over future funding for the area.

A delegation representing Lancaster and South Cumbria intends to meet with ministers soon.

It follows a collaboration between councils in Barrow, South Lakeland, and Lancaster, which have united to get the Morecambe Bay area recognised as an economic region to submit a multi-million bid for Growth Deal funding.

Barrow Borough Council leader Ann Thomson updated members on the progress at a meeting of the full council in Barrow Town Hall.

She said: “We are now hoping to discuss our proposals with Government ministers to build a case for further investment in our region.”

She said the council was also continuing to work with Furness Economic Development Forum partners to develop a shared vision for the redevelopment and regeneration of key sites in the area.

She said: “We have been driving a number of regeneration and economic development opportunities including developing the Marina Village. The council is carrying on further remediation work while pursuing a number of potential funding routes.”

Work is also continuing on the £3.5 million Harding Rise business centre on redeveloped docklands off Ramsden Dock Road.

Its aim is to provide high-quality modern office space and act as a ‘gateway’ to the Waterfront Business Park.

Cllr Thomson: “This will create another great opportunity for new and expanding businesses to relocate to the Waterfront Business Park.”

Seven apprenticeships have also been created with the council’s out-sourced maintenance contractors.

Cllr Thomson said Barrow town centre was also ‘vital’ to the future of the borough and a full business case was being developed to apply for money from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund.

“We are now working on a full business case for submission next year. We are working with Barrow BID to enhance the town centre offer and increasing the number of shoppers and visits.”

“We plan to continue to put on a fantastic range of events in The Forum and develop the indoor market to attract more visitors into the town centre.”

A bid is also being prepared to get cash from Historic England’s Heritage Action Zone fund, which would help restore significant properties in Duke Street.