An ambitious approach to cross border working
The Borderlands Partnership exists to unlock the potentional for sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the South of Scotland and North of England
Working together
The Partnership is a coalition of five councils representing Cumberland, Dumfries and Galloway, Northumberland, Scottish Borders and Westmorland and Furness.
The first Borderlands summit was held in April 2014 in Peebles where regional leaders met for the first time to discuss shared economic opportunities and challenges.
These included areas including tourism, energy, forestry, education and training.
It involved leaders from Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Carlisle City, Cumbria and Northumberland councils.
The authorities continued to work in partnership and in 2017 the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Proposition was submitted to both the UK and Scottish Governments.
After years of further development work the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal was signed in March 2021 bringing up to £452 million of fresh investment to the Borderlands area.
The Partnership make up changed following Local Government Reorganisation in April 2023 with Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council replacing the former Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council.
Governance and our Partnership Board
Central to the Borderlands' governance arrangements is the Partnership Board, which is responsible for oversight and decision making relating to the delivery of the Deal and the strategic programme of investment.
The Board is supported by Chief Executives, Chief Economic Development Officers and Finance Officers from the partner authorities.
There are six seats on the Partnership Board, made up of one representative from each of the partner local authorities, and one for the Chair of the Economic Forum.
Councillor Glen Sanderson,
Leader of Northumberland County Council and Co-Chair Borderlands Partnership Board
Councillor Euan Jardine,
Leader of Scottish Borders Council and Co-Chair Borderlands Partnership Board
Councillor Gail Macgregor,
Leader and Depute Convenor Dumfries and Galloway Council and Borderlands Partnership Board Member
Councillor Mark Fryer,
Leader of Cumberland Council and Borderlands Partnership Board Member
Councillor Jonathan Brook,
Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council and Borderlands Partnership Board Member
Jack Stopforth MBE MA,
Chair of Borderlands Economic Forum and Borderlands Partnership Board Member
Borderlands Project Management Office
The Borderlands Project Management Office is in place to oversee the development, delivery and effective day to day management of the Deal. The team will procure specialist appraisal support where necessary to support its work. Email info@borderlandsgrowth.com to speak with a member of the team.
Accountable Bodies
Dumfries and Galloway Council has the role of accountable body as regards both the Scottish Government funding for the Growth Deal and that part of the UK Government funding which relates to Growth Deal Projects physically located in Scotland. Northumberland County Council has the role of accountable body as regards that part of the UK Government funding which relates to Growth Deal projects physically located in England. The accountable bodies will enter into the financial legal agreements with the UK and Scottish Government in respect of the Growth Deal.
