Five years into the £452 million Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, regional partners came together at Smith’s Hotel in Gretna Green on October 7 to celebrate the progress of this unique cross-border Deal in the North of England and South of Scotland. The conference brought together local leaders and partners from across the region to showcase the projects and programmes supported through the Deal – made up of UK and Scottish Government funding, including £150 million for Scotland (£85 million from the Scottish Government and £65 million from the UK Government) and up to £200 million for England from the UK Government, alongside over £100 million of funding from local partners – hear from those involved in delivering them, and discuss the impact of the Partnership.
With major projects now coming to fruition and programmes well underway, the event also provided an opportunity to look ahead to the Deal’s next phase of delivery and the benefits it will continue to deliver for communities and businesses throughout the Borderlands.
A key part of the conference was a Q&A session with the leaders of the five Borderlands councils, who reflected on the Deal’s achievements so far and the importance of sustained cross-border working in delivering investment across the region. The discussion explored how working across the border has enabled partners to respond to shared challenges, attract investment and deliver projects that would not have been possible through individual authorities working alone.
The event then turned to examples of the Deal’s impact on the ground, with Prof Richard Dewhurst, Head of Dairy Research Centre at the Dairy Nexus project, sharing the story of the multi-million-pound research and innovation facility at Scotland’s Rural College’s Barony Campus.
Delegates also heard about the Deal’s Hadrian’s Wall Investment Programme, with John Scott, Management Plan Co-ordinator, highlighting how the Hadrian’s Wall Partnership is working with the Borderlands Deal, delivering investment to support one of the region’s most significant cultural and tourism assets and creating opportunities to strengthen the visitor economy.
The Place Programme and Mountain Bike Innovation Centre were also featured during the day, with Angela Jones, Strategic Director of Communities, Place and Economy at Westmorland and Furness Council, highlighting the importance of place-based investment across the region.
Andy King, Director of Delivery, Enterprise & Innovation at South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), and Edward Shoote, SOSE’s project lead for the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre, also shared the latest progress on the facility and how this innovation hub is taking shape in the former Caerlee Mill, in the heart of Innerleithen.
Cllr Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “Borderlands is a great example of cross-border, cross-country and cross-party working.
“Each project in our county is designed to make a positive impact not just locally but also across the wider region as we continue to deliver the Borderlands programme throughout Northumberland. There are many more schemes getting underway, as well as others in the pipeline, and we look forward to the next five years of this unique deal.”
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: “The Borderlands Partnership is helping to unlock transformational investment across Cumberland, supporting projects that will strengthen our city and towns, improve connectivity and create opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors.
“From the regeneration of Carlisle through the Carlisle Station Gateway and Citadels projects, to important place-based investment in Wigton, Egremont and Longtown, this funding is helping communities realise their ambitions and build on their unique strengths. By working together across the Borderlands region, we are delivering long-term benefits that will boost economic growth, enhance local pride and create places where people want to live, work and visit.”
Cllr Jonathan Brook, Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal is delivering positive change in local communities and encouraging economic growth. Projects such as the completed Digital Borderlands Voucher Scheme, the Place Programme, the See More Lake District sustainable travel project and the Natural Capital Programme, all have direct positive impacts on communities across Westmorland and Furness.
“It is heartening to see the five councils working together and delivering successful projects across our rural geographies.”
Cllr Euan Jardine, Leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: “One of the key things for me is how we are working across borders – we are going into Scotland and England together, but it doesn’t just stop at the Borderlands. We are doing lots of different work, and the Borderlands has been a real catalyst for that collaboration.
“It’s absolutely fantastic to be here – great for the economy locally but also putting the Borderlands on the map. Nationally, we are the centre of the country, we are the heartbeat of the United Kingdom, and we are all coming together for one common purpose: to grow this area economically.”
Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Cllr Stephen Thompson, said: “The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal shows there is a real value in partnership working across local authority boundaries and across the Scotland-England border.
“Over the past five years, the Deal has brought real benefits through investment in key projects and programmes, and by giving us a stronger collective voice to attract funding and tackle shared challenges. The success of the Borderlands Partnership shows that collaboration is far more powerful than working in isolation.
“When we work together with our neighbouring councils, we can achieve far more than we could alone, and I look forward to building on that success in the years ahead.”
Rick O’Farrell, Director of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, also added: “This milestone demonstrates the real power of partnership. Reflecting on over 5 years of delivery gives us an opportunity to recognise what has already been achieved – from major research and innovation facilities to new visitor attractions, investment in our towns, skills and green growth – and to look ahead to what is still possible when we continue to work together.
“The rest of the Deal delivery period will be about building on that strong foundation and ensuring the benefits of the Deal reach even more communities and businesses across the Borderlands.”
As the Deal moves to its second phase, partners remain focused on building on the progress already achieved, delivering sustainable economic growth, empowering communities and unlocking the full potential of the Borderlands.
The Borderlands Partnership brings together Cumberland Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Northumberland County Council, Scottish Borders Council and Westmorland and Furness Council. Together, the partners are delivering up to £452m of fresh investment through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal to the Scotland–England border region, driving inclusive economic growth, creating thousands of jobs and transforming places, businesses, communities, and opportunities for all.
