Imagination Lancaster are proud to have been instrumental, together with funding through UKRI’s Strategic Priorities Fund, in developing this historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which has been signed to deepen relationships between ‘town and gown’ for the benefit of communities in the Lancaster district.
Endorsed by Lancaster City Council and Lancaster University, the aim of the agreement is to strengthen the existing collaborative relationships between the two organisations to achieve social, environmental, and economic improvements.
One of the most recent collaborations between Lancaster City Council and the design researchers from ImaginationLancaster was working with the community to help them contribute to recommendations on how to transform social housing on the Mainway Estate in Lancaster. The signing of the MoU will allow Imagination and the wider university to continue to create new and exciting opportunities to work together and draw on university research to help find lasting solutions for local challenges.
The vision for the partnership with Lancaster University will initially cover four themes; economic inclusion and prosperity, environmental sustainability, healthy, happy and connected communities, and reimagining public services.
To achieve this vision, projects will be developed via an ‘Insights Hub’, a forum to meet, contribute ideas, collaborate, and share resources. In addition to representatives from the city council and university, the hub will also welcome contributions from public, private and community organisations.
Councillor Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic we have seen how, by working together with other organisations, the council can support and make real changes for its communities.
“As we continue the long road to recovery these relationships will become even more important if we are to rebuild our economy and create new opportunities for people and businesses.
“The city council and the university both share a vision to make the Lancaster district a thriving and collaborative place and I’m delighted to have signed this agreement to deepen our working relationship.
“We already work very closely together on a number of exciting projects and we now have the opportunity to explore additional areas and find solutions that will benefit our entire district.”
Lancaster University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Schofield, said: “As an anchor institution we are committed to playing our civic role to the full, working closely with the city council and other partners to create positive change for our communities, businesses and the environment both here in the Morecambe Bay area and the wider North West.
“The city council and the university share a long history of working together, built on great working relationships between our two organisations, and a shared commitment to creating a thriving and vibrant place.
“This agreement gives us the opportunity to be ambitious and strengthen the district for the benefit of everyone who lives, works and visits here.”
Leon Cruickshank
Gemma Coupe