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OUTLINE PROPOSAL FOR A NEW BAY UNITARY AUTHORITY PREPARED BY BARROW BOROUGH COUNCIL, LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL AND SOUTH LAKELAND DISTRICT COUNCIL

Morecambe Bay is a unique area with shared opportunities and challenges. We are home to advanced manufacturing of strategic UK importance, and a hub for clean energy generation, with two universities and a world heritage site.

We have a strong, closely-linked community and excellent joint working across the three councils covering The Bay. 96% of the workforce live as well as work in the area. The Bay area is well served by the NHS, sharing a footprint with the University Hospitals of NHS Foundation Trust and have established partnerships with Morecambe Bay CCG and the and South NHS Trust. The Bay is in the same postal and broadcast area and the three councils work together through the Lancaster and South Cumbria Joint Committee.

This outline document has been prepared in response to the Secretary of State’s invitation to submit proposals for future local government in Cumbria. We want to seize the opportunity to cement our cooperation and we are mindful of the risks to that cooperation which may be posed by unsuitable reorganisation. This document is an outline proposal only and a full business case is in development. We would welcome engagement with central government over the coming weeks as that proposal takes shape. MHCLG reform criteria This is an outline proposal to create a This proposal will: A new single tier of local government for The Bay, Benefits of improve local government and service delivery, including giving prepared in response to the Secretary of greater value for money, generating savings, providing stronger State’s invitation. The new authority will strategic and local leadership, and more sustainable structures; council for comprise Barrow Borough Council, Lancaster The Bay command significant public support; City Council and South Lakeland District serve a credible geography with an aggregate population in the Council and consolidate responsibilities from target range. Morecambe Bay Cumbria and Lancashire County Councils. Our proposal will deliver:

“Now in receipt of the Secretary of State’s invitation, we strongly believe that this proposal Better outcomes for residents Jobs and economic growth A new unitary would be able to act more The Bay is a functional economic area provides the best local government arrangements for The Bay, meets all of the relevant strategically in response to the new opportunities hosting a range of ‘tier one’ employers as criteria, best serves local people, and is compatible with locally-driven proposals for the rest of in the area. Compared to other unitary proposals. well as thriving SMEs. However, The Bay The Bay would deliver improved decision does not yet speak with a single voice. A Cumbria and Lancashire.” making, innovation and service delivery. It new unitary will be in a stronger position also offers alignment with NHS services, which to secure supply-chain investment by already operate on this geography. demonstrating the critical mass to support new business operations. Exceptional environmental outcomes Efficiency The Bay is linked by its unique geography, A unitary Bay authority offers the efficiency including a number of internationally savings targeted by central government, whilst significant natural assets. The Bay also shares retaining essential local engagement capacity, a commitment to tackle environmental improving both democracy and local service CLLR ANN THOMSON CLLR DR ERICA LEWIS CLLR GILES ARCHIBALD challenges, particularly coastal erosion, provision. It means that local people are Leader of the Council Leader of the Council Leader of the Council protecting biodiversity and preventing flooding, closely connected to the services that form Barrow Borough Council Lancaster City Council South Lakeland District Council as well as addressing climate change. part of their daily lives, and that these are delivered by, and within, our community. Improved democratic accountability A solution that works for all of Cumbria and Lancashire Unitary authorities are easier to understand for electors, with joined-up decision making and The boundaries imposed by the 1972 Act clearer accountability. This would also bring divided Barrow-in- and and parts important services that are currently delivered of South Lakeland, historically both part of from or Preston into The Bay and make Lancashire, from Lancaster, although the area engagement with the community and voluntary has retained its common identity. The Bay SAM PLUM KIERAN KEANE LAWRENCE CONWAY sector (CVS), town and parish councils and delivery puts this right, sitting alongside a new unitary for the four northern and western districts of Chief Executive Chief Executive Chief Executive partners more effective. It would also form a viable Cumbria and viable arrangements for the rest Barrow Borough Council Lancaster City Council South Lakeland District Council building block for a combined authority and a compelling part of a future devolution deal. of Lancashire to the South.

Option A THE BAY Option B THE STATUS QUO Option C COUNTY UNITARIES

Improves local government and service delivery: County services can appear to be remote for our Would not improve local government and service delivery: • builds on existing close links between the three authorities residents. • artificially divide The Bay community, concentrating power in • shares priorities with a Functional Economic Area, a Travel remote and less flexible county halls; to Work Area and key sector links for energy, education and Current arrangement do not best enable service • move decision-making and service delivery further from local tourism. transformation through partnership working aligned people; with the Functional Economic Area and health services • would create a democratic deficit and destroy existing Commands significant public support based on strong footprint. arrangements for local community engagement. community and historic links that have survived the artificial Do not command significant public support and are disruption of the 1972 Act, which split our community. Early Given government announcements, is unlikely to enable opposed by local representatives. indications show significant public support based on strong optimal devolution of powers and resources. community and historic links. Unprecedented in population size and geographic extent. Credible geography and appropriate population size as part

Initial options of a two unitary solution for Cumbria with Allerdale, Carlisle, Copeland and Eden forming a second unitary of optimum size in the north of the county. Our main assets The facts A real community

Ports Offshore We are a functional 1 Barrow Port energy 320 000 economic geography 2 Port assets total population 96% of the resident labour force 3 Glasson Port 13 000 work in the area Natural assets We are a fully 4 UNESCO World Heritage site 11 M6 to Carlisle businesses 5 North Walney National Nature Reserve integrated housing 50 miles market area 6 Morecambe Bay SSSI 18 000 7 and Silverdale AONB 75% of all home moves take place 8 Dales National Park jobs in advanced manufacturing within The Bay area and engineering (including 9 Nature Reserve WINDERMERE half of the country’s ship and 10 Nationally-recognised coastline 17 submarine manufacturing jobs) We share a LA 26 postcode Higher education SEDBERGH 25 unlike the rest of 11 University of Cumbria 4 300 Cumbria which has a CA 12 4 jobs in agriculture in our postcode, and the rest of thriving rural communities Lancashire which uses Health facilities 8 PR or BB 13 Furness General Hospital 14 Royal Lancaster Infirmary KIRKBY 30 million We are in the same 15 Community Health Centre LONSDALE annual visitors to Lancaster and broadcast area 16 Queen Victoria Hospital ULVERSTON South Cumbria, contributing 21 17 Westmorland General Hospital GRANGE £2 billion to the economy The Bay is served by BBC North 18 15 OVER 29 7 West and mostly ITV Granada, DALTON SANDS with a few areas served by ITV Advanced manufacturing/ 11 28 BARROW Three Border. Remainder of Cumbria key employers 5 19 13 international gateway ports is served by BBC North East and 18 Kimberley Clark 20 Cumbria and ITV Border 19 BAE Systems 6 20 Spirit Energy 22 25 000 21 GSK 16 We are well 1 jobs in tourism 22 GVS Filters MORECAMBE 11 12 connected 30 23 EDF Energy 10 9 14 The Bay is served by direct public 24 GAIST Solutions HEYSHAM LANCASTER Five transport links and a good road 25 Gilkes 27 23 network 26 James Cropper 24 major windfarms, oil and gas 2 Source: ONS 2018. © Crown 27 Ørsted 3 copyright and database right (2018) operations and two nuclear 28 Oxleys Developments power stations We are focused on 29 Forge Europa The Bay Two 76% of business and 90% of Broadband/digital universities, both already population live and work in The 30 B4RN Connectivity cooperating across The Bay Bay area Working together The Bay healthcare provision

The Bay area is well served by the NHS, sharing a footprint with the University Hospitals of The three councils already cooperate Our cultural assets are recognised The Morecambe Bay Partnership We work together to Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust and have established partnerships with Morecambe Bay through the Lancaster and South by government through a new deals with environmental and promote tourism CCG and the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Trust. Health Trusts are working very closely with Cumbria Joint Committee Cultural Compact heritage issues the three councils through the challenges of COVID-19. Our future priorities The facts Creating opportunity As The Bay unitary authority, there is an opportunity to address these challenges together, aligning our priorities. Any unitary arrangement not based on The Bay will be a retrograde step in delivering local government.

Unitary council arrangements are a step forwards to strengthening local government in The Bay. It will prepare us for the Sustainable next step - devolving resources and responsibilities to enable growth. 17% Leading a clean and green economy that does decline in working age population 20-39; more good, not just less harm with recruitment a critical challenge for the NHS locally Future talent Environment Preparing our people for the jobs and opportunities in tomorrow’s industries • Climate emergency M6 to Carlisle 65% • Transition to a green AMBLESIDE 50 miles of The Bay’s businesses say skills and Circular economy economy recruitment are their biggest concerns • Conserving natural assets Creating value from sustainable jobs and WINDERMERE industries that support the local economy KENDAL SEDBERGH Imbalance Connected in age structures in rural coastal communities Fully integrated digital and physical systems Skills enabling accessibility and connections within, across as well as beyond The Bay • Declining KIRKBY LONSDALE 60% workforce ULVERSTON GRANGE of UK naval shipbuilding design Building communities • Low attainment OVER located in Barrow and aspiration DALTON SANDS Revitalising towns and places through a BARROW CARNFORTH stronger Bay identity with an accessible and • Skills shortages desirable quality of life >5km Active communities MORECAMBE distance to work making active travel less popular Taking activity further upstream allowing HEYSHAM LANCASTER early intervention and prevention that Productivity maintain independence for longer Source: ONS 2018. © Crown copyright and • Income inequality database right (2018) 4th • Retaining resources locally most at risk area for jobs lost due to the Growing forward • Sustaining future jobs pandemic was South Lakeland Using recovery to address challenges through real reform not simply resuming according to the RSA (ONS furlough data) what we do today

Connectivity Places and Health and Recovery Working together regionally and loud enough to be heard houses wellbeing • Poor digital • Housing • Growing Maintaining • Working together to simplify local council arrangements connectivity affordability and dependency and improving suitability and long term quality of • Creating a critical mass enabling the needs of The Bay to substantiate change and further • Physical connectivity investment east to west • Housing viability conditions life through recovery • Retaining an outward perspective to support a coherent North West role in the regional • Local transport • Left behind • Health inequalities systems towns • Inactive lifestyles powerhouse Across The Bay we work collaboratively, focused on our shared assets and opportunities. We are Unleashing our delivering for our residents across eight themes. A new unitary would give us the strategic scope and focus to deliver even more strongly. potential

Renewables Arts and Agri-tech and Digital and green culture innovation connectivity

technology Our Cultural Compact, across We combine an important Digital connectivity is vital to the three authorities of The agricultural economy with future economic development Few places rival our array of Bay, has been recognised by specialised HE and FE institutions, and to individuals’ socio- clean energy assets, including central government and the Arts including Lancaster University’s economic opportunities. We face the world’s largest operational Council. We are home to the international expertise in plant two challenges, with some of our offshore windfarm and a key UK’s largest tourist destination science, and an engineering and rural communities experiencing part of the nuclear supply, outside , with a rich tech sector. We are uniquely connectivity challenges and a linked by a unique combination cultural heritage. well-placed to deliver against the proportion of our residents still of private sector expertise and government’s ambition to put the not using the internet. academic excellence. Eden of the North will be a major UK at the forefront of the move to new tourist destination which high-efficiency agriculture. We will focus our excellent local One unified Bay council will help will create jobs across the entire assets such as Broadband for the to attract jobs and investment Bay, including reimagining the The three councils are already Rural North (B4RN) on creating to The Bay, contributing to resort of Morecambe. working together on a bespoke hub a connected Bay with inclusive meeting the UK’s energy needs, to ensure The Bay is recognised economic growth. in a clean, sustainable way. as a leading agri-tech location.

Our ports Attracting and Healthy Resilient and

Our ports and their hinterlands, retaining talent communities vibrant towns serving the offshore energy industry, and at the heart of Whilst The Bay boasts many high- We have an ageing population Our network of towns, and the the RoRo hub, are an quality employment opportunities and The Bay is impacted by , are the important part of our national we know that employers can health inequalities, with our fundamental building blocks of a infrastructure. The port facilities struggle to fill certain vacancies. poorest communities hit hardest strong local economy. and their industrial land have by COVID-19. The Morecambe huge growth potential needing We will work with the education Bay NHS Trust already works We are committed to a strategic complementary strategic and training sector to make the closely with the three councils to approach to improving our town growth strategies. most of The Bay’s exceptional achieve better health and care centres, increasing housing assets and connectivity to make outcomes. supply and improving local A new unitary authority for The us a lifestyle location of choice. transport schemes. Bay will champion the ports We a proud to work closely Our proposals will align local and maximise their potential with Lancaster University, a top government, including social The Bay needs strategic housing for local people and the ten UK institution, with strong care, with the NHS and improve and planning powers to serve whole country. international links, and also with health outcomes for everyone in our exceptionally well-integrated the University of Cumbria, which The Bay and focus on our distinct economy and deliver high quality has a growing reputation. social care priorities. affordable and sustainable homes for everyone in our area.

THE BAY OUTLINE PROPOSAL FOR A NEW MORECAMBE BAY UNITARY AUTHORITY THE BAY OUTLINE PROPOSAL FOR A NEW MORECAMBE BAY UNITARY AUTHORITY Alongside this outline proposal for why The Bay is the solution that best a Bay Authority is the right solution, we have developed an action plan for the work we are doing over the next meets the invitation’s criteria month to create a final proposal. We invite you to comment and engage in for local government reform our development of a proposal that fully meets all your needs.

Improve local government and service delivery Please contact TBC This proposal will catalyse a huge improvement in service delivery. The districts deliver strongly for residents and are in a position to capitalise on the opportunity to operate more efficiently and strategically. In contrast, the services currently delivered at a county level are remote and less flexible, so are unable to meet the needs of our large and diverse area. Greater value for money • The workforce will be centred on a coherent area, avoiding the costs and inefficiencies associated with a remote administrative centre. Generate savings • Efficiency savings will place council finances on a more secure long-term footing whilst retaining necessary capacity. • The new council would be financially viable, with a stable balance sheet and a better than unitary average level of usable reserves. • Council tax harmonisation would be straightforward with a minimal difference in current rates. Provide stronger strategic and local leadership • The role of the districts in the response to COVID-19 proves the importance of structures reflecting genuinely coherent communities with decisions taken close to those affected. • Public sector bodies, including the NHS, already operate across The Bay, aligning local authority boundaries will provide for stronger collaboration and public accountability. • The Bay shares a broadcast area, enhancing public understanding and awareness of local issues. More sustainable structures • The Lancaster and South Cumbria Joint Committee, which is already established, provides a sustainable framework for delivering efficient and effective reorganisation. • The Bay would be a credible building block for a future devolution deal and we would be open to exploring options such as the creation of Combined Authorities, with an Elected Mayor, to play a strategic role at the right spatial level. • The Bay will work with key stakeholders to formulate clear, cohesive modelling for: adult social care, children’s services, fire and police services.

Commanding local support

• The three authorities are grounded in the communities we serve and we are confident that these proposals will command public support. • We have launched a formal consultation on these outline proposals as well as commissioning independent public opinion research. • The results of this activity will be reported in our final business case.

Credible geography and appropriate population size

• The Bay is a credible geography, with shared features, environmental factors and efficient internal communication. • Within the optimum range for a new authority with an aggregate population of 320 000, The Bay would be the 15th largest unitary by population, in the top quartile in . • In contrast, a Cumbria unitary authority would be unprecedented in size, with poor internal connections and no natural focus. • The Bay presents a unique opportunity for local people, local councils and local services to come together as one Bay community.