Dozens of businesses joined Eden District Council to help shape the future of the district.

Hazel Graham, chief executive of Cumbria Action for Sustainability, was one of the speakers at the council’s business breakfast, held at Rheged, near Penrith.

Representatives from more than 50 local firms heard an impassioned plea to support action on climate change and were informed that a zero-carbon Eden was a feasible target with existing technology.

She said: “Transformational changes in land use, transport and many other areas is needed, but if everyone only does a little we will only achieve a little.

“We have to act on a scale that is required by the science.

She added that Eden and Cumbria could lead the way nationally and create hundreds of jobs in the process.

Jo Lappin, chief executive of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, told the event: “Cumbria’s strongest calling is green growth and we have an exceptional offer that we need to concentrate on.”

She also asked businesses to help change the ‘mood music’ around Cumbria and join the LEP in promoting the county as being at the heart of the UK.

The event had been organised as part of a consultation into Eden’s council plan, which sets out its priorities for the next four years, with a central theme of sustainability.

Council leader Virginia Taylor said the dialogue between the council and businesses was constructive.

She said: “Today was about hearing and taking on board people’s responses to what’s in the draft council plan so it can be finalised.

"The zero carbon agenda is something we need to work on all together and I was really pleased by the positive feedback we got about it.”

The meeting also heard from Adam Vaughan, IT director at theidol.com which provides software for comparison websites from its base in Penrith.

He, and head of marketing Jack Templeton, revealed how the company was setting out to raise its profile and attract new talent to the area. Similar events were also held at Rheged for community groups, members of the public and parish councils.

 

The consultation on the council plan closes on Friday.

More details and a short survey can be found at www.eden.gov.ukl/councilplan