Scott Dickinson, said:“We’ve got to prepare for the forthcoming changes brought about by the Scotland Act 2012.

By BRIAN TILLEY btilley@cngroup.co.uk Published at 07:38, Wednesday, 07 August 2013 AFTER centuries of strife, the descendants of Tynedale’s Border Reivers could soon be wooing their Scottish neighbours. For Northumberland is keen to establish good relations with Scotland in the event of a ‘yes’ vote in the independence referendum north of the Border. Failure to do so could result in the county losing out in the battle for investment and new jobs. The investment could see the creation of a new Borderlands project linking Northumberland and Cumbria county councils with two of their Caledonian counterparts to work together for the common good. A joint research project between think tank IPPR North, the University of Northumbria and St Chads College, Durham, has identified the opportunities and pitfalls Scottish independence would mean to the North-East as a whole. A presentation on the research findings to the Association of North East Councils set out challenges and opportunities in the evolving relationship between England and Scotland. This takes into account the introduction of legislation through the Scotland Act 2012 and the forthcoming Scottish referendum in 2014 which could see an independent Scotland. Proposals for greater collaboration between local authorities in the region are being discussed with Northumberland County Council. These include a new project called Borderlands which would see greater cooperation between Northumberland and Cumbria county councils, and Dumfries and Galloway, and Scottish Borders local authorities, on key strategic issues such as transport, energy, tourism, rural and business development and education and skills. The initial research highlights areas of common interest in specific areas such as forestry, and joint tourism promotion and economic development, with the four councils sharing similar challenges to increase economic competitiveness. In geographical terms, a collaboration between the four authorities would cover an area bigger than Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle in terms of population size. The report has been welcomed by Northumberland’s Labour group as a “recognition of the challenges and opportunities for the county as Scotland adds more powers.” Business chairman of Northumberland County Council, Coun. Scott Dickinson, said:“We’ve got to prepare for the forthcoming changes brought about by the Scotland Act 2012. “Whatever happens in the referendum in 2014, Northumberland needs to be prepared. “There will undoubtedly be challenges, but we can’t stand still, and the proposals for greater collaboration between ourselves and Cumbria and the Scottish Border authorities is a welcome move to extend influence over changes. “For example, 65 per cent of all trade in Berwick is provided by visitors from Scotland and we need to protect and extend those types of opportunities. “There’s clearly much we have in common and we’re particularly interested in developing a more robust and sustainable rural bus service and partnerships.” The research highlighted four main areas of cooperation: l Promoting economic development – using the existing Local Economic Partnerships to encourage ‘cross border’ partnerships in areas such as tourism, transport, renewables, oil and gas, skills, universities and port facilities, potentially chaired by business leaders from either side of the border. It would also include the agenda developed by the Rural Growth Networks. l ‘Voice’ and influence – working through the existing LEPs, local authorities and business community, opening up effective channels of communication to lobby both Holyrood and Westminster on issues such as air passenger duty, differential rates of taxation either side of the border and transport and tourism. l Collaboration, partnerships and networks – the potential creation of Borderlands collaboration between Northumberland, Cumbria, Dumfries and Galloway and Borders local authorities, which could lead to a ‘Borderlands deal’ mirroring the UK Government’s ‘city deal’ which gives greater autonomy and power over spending to geographical areas. l Evidence and analysis – greater sharing of information on areas such as travel to work, shop and leisure areas, labour markets, inward investment and supply chain links which could assist Northumberland in attracting new investment and developing economic partnerships which build on existing cross border ties. The presentation also stressed the need for the region as a whole to develop a joint voice when talking to Westminster and it should now be thinking of Edinburgh as well as London when lobbying to extend the region’s interests. Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk