The baton for economic growth in Cumbria has been passed from Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) to local government.

At the CLEP board meeting on March 22, arrangements were finalised to transfer the responsibilities in line with the Government's August 4 announcement that LEP funding in England will be discontinued.

As of April 1, the LEP, a top performer nationally, will transfer its staff and contractual activities to Cumberland Council.

Cumberland Council will lead the delivery of economic activity in Cumbria, on behalf of itself, as well as Westmorland and Furness Council.

This includes delivering government-funded support for businesses and the economy.

The LEP’s staff, who successfully delivered business support, skills, and advice programmes, will move to Cumberland Council under TUPE regulations.

Since 2016, LEP's record includes the successful delivery of the £60m Growth Deal programme.

This levered £109m of private-sector investment, secured 2,350 jobs, created 1,000 new jobs, and provided broadband access to more than 11,000 businesses.

Lord Inglewood, chair of CLEP, said: "This decision has been made by Government and as such we are working productively and cordially to achieve the best possible outcome for Cumbria, our economy, our businesses, our staff and everyone who lives or works in Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness."

“We are not disappearing overnight and are working with our local Government colleagues to agree a transitional period, in which the LEP will act as the Economic Growth Body, until the new body is in place.

“We will also be maintaining our existing governance structure so that the voice of business and other stakeholders is heard, alongside delivering some of our work programmes and grant funding programmes to businesses.

“The intention is that this transitional period will run through until September 30, 2024, with the LEP increasingly moving into its ‘sunset’ phase as the new Economic Growth Body moves into its ‘sunrise’ phase.”

The LEP will continue to operate its partnership bodies, including Sector Panels, Strategy Groups, and the Futures Forum, until September 2024, when new governance arrangements will be fully established.

Steve Cole, deputy chair of CLEP and CIO and operational improvement director at BAE Systems, said: “The business community has made it clear that going forward it wants to have really strong active engagement with economic strategy and future strategic planning and to ensure that the independent business voice continues.

"I have seen at firsthand how CLEP has helped businesses to deliver on their priorities and we must make sure that this culture, commitment, focus and pace is not lost."

CLEP chief executive, Jo Lappin, emphasised the importance of understanding the key priorities of Cumbria’s economy and addressing challenges, and ensuring a smooth staff transition to Cumberland Council.

She said: “CLEP has made a real difference to Cumbria by investing in the necessary infrastructure to support growth, getting Cumbria recognised as a credible contender for national competitions and by bringing the business community together to address the things that really matter.

"Our activities have been focused on making sure that everybody benefits from economic opportunities. It is essential that this work continues.”