Residents of Barrow and the wider Furness Peninsula are being asked to have their say on plans to create innovative new Community Resilience Hubs.
Plans are being developed around the creation of four hubs in Ormsgill, Barrow Island, Walney and Hindpool to bring a host of services and resources into the heart of their communities.
The project includes the development of an outdoor activity, skills and learning hub at Earnse Bay on Walney Island.
The scheme is among seven shortlisted proposals that make up #BrilliantBarrow - a bid for £25 million of Town Deals funding from the Government.
Residents across Barrow are urged to join the conversation around Community Resilience Hubs before Sunday 5 July 2020 via brilliantbarrow.org.uk
Councillor Ann Thomson, the leader of Barrow Borough Council and a Barrow Town Deal Board member, said: “This is an exciting proposal and one that could benefit a huge number of people, families and groups within our communities.
“However, the scheme is at a very early stage of development which is why it’s vital as many residents as possible take the opportunity to add their thoughts to the consultation.
“Take part, have your say, join in. Please don’t miss the chance to add your voice to the development of this project.”
Community Resilience Hubs would provide a physical location in communities so residents can access a range of different services and resources.
Two of the hubs, in Ormsgill and Barrow Island, are already progressing and will be delivered. The remaining three, at Walney, Hindpool and Earnse Bay, remain in the concept phase and need to secure funding through the Town Deal programme in order to go ahead.
It is anticipated all five would be created on property put forward by Cumbria County Council if the bid is successful.
Each would offer different services to reflect the needs of individual neighbourhoods and would be run in partnership with communities and local people.
It is anticipated that Cumbria County Council, Barrow Borough Council and health organisations would all deliver some services from the hubs.
The police could also use them as a base for staff where appropriate and for informal engagement with local people. Community and voluntary groups would be able to run activities and offer support from the hubs in Ormsgill, Barrow Island, Walney and Hindpool.
Alongside the creation of the four hubs is a plan to develop an outdoor activity, skills and learning hub at Earnse Bay.
This new outdoor facility will offer easily accessible family friendly activities such as beach schools and other organised sessions on the coast line through schools and organisations like the Sea Cadets, third sector partners and the community itself.
However, it will also have the potential to provide a broader learning and skills offer for the community of Barrow.
The size of the site at Earnse Bay has the potential for a range of facilities to allow space for camping, watersports activities and community growing as well as a cafe and flexible rooms to support local economic growth.
Councillor Deborah Earl, Cumbria County Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Services, said: “This is welcome news for Barrow and I’d encourage people to find out more about the proposals and have their say.
“We need your views to support our joint funding bid to the government, and if we are successful in securing funding we can continue developing new and exciting facilities that can be used to enhance people’s lives across Barrow.”
Councillor Anne Burns, Cumbria County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services and a Barrow Town Deal Board member, said: “We want to boost the future of Barrow and the new proposals will be at the heart of the community recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak, supporting community resilience for some of our most vulnerable residents and families, including health and wellbeing but also developing vital skills across the town.
“The proposals are in the early stages of development and we want to gather people’s views and ideas to help us shape plans as they progress.
“I’d encourage everyone to take a look at the information online and give us their feedback.”
People can add their views on Community Resilience Hubs here:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TCRLLJY
People can add their views on an Outdoor Skills, Activity and Learning Hub here:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TJN5QQ9
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Barrow is one of 101 towns selected to bid for £25 million in government cash as part of the Town Deal initiative.
A Town Deal Board involving a range of local public and private sector partners has been created to lead the work to develop Barrow’s bid.
Full details of each of the schemes can be found on the #BrilliantBarrow website brilliantbarrow.org.uk along with details of how to have your say.