The new chief executive of Lancaster City Council has set out his vision to help our local area through some of its toughest times.
Mark Davies said the Lancaster and Morecambe district was at "a unique point" in its history - facing issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, the cost of living crisis and "the symptoms of inequality all around us".
But Mr Davies also said the Eden Project North, the potential development of the Frontierland site in Morecambe and the Canal Quarter in Lancaster, and the planned improvements to the Mainway housing estate in Skerton and the south Lancaster transport revamp, were "opportunities" for the district.
The new chief executive, who took over the post on April 1, said Lancaster City Council needed to continue to "lead by example" on decarbonisation to tackle climate change.
And he said the Eden Project North needed to have a "regenerative and rebuilding effect" on the entire local economy.
LISTEN NOW to Mark Davies talking about his career with Lancaster City Council and his aims as chief executive:
Mr Davies was promoted to the chief executive role after 20 years of working for Lancaster City Council.
Speaking exclusively to Beyond Radio, he said: "I've been here quite a long time, so continuity is a positive for our district but I think as well, I'm not there to maintain the status quo.
"We're at a unique point. The area is at a key juncture. Communities are deeply affected by the pandemic. We've got the impact of climate change. We've got the cost of living crisis. We've got the symptoms of inequality all around us.
"But then we've got projects like the Canal Quarter, Mainway, South Lancaster, Eden and Frontierland. They all present opportunities if they are delivered in a way that meets the aspirations of our communities, businesses and environment.
"So there's a lot going on, yet we've got this contrast where the public services that our communities rely on are really torn by the conflicting pressures of increasing demand and expectations versus funding and resources.
"The reason why this job is such a privilege, is because how the council responds, will define the council for generations, and I've got a significant part to play in that."
Mr Davies began his career in local government as a cleaner working for Bolton Council.
After joining Lancaster City Council, he became Head of City Contract Services looking after waste collection, street cleansing and grounds maintenance.
"At the time the council had about 1200 staff, we've got about 800 now," he said.
He then became Head of Environmental Services, with wider responsibilities, and for the last three years, has been the council's Director for Communities and Environment.
Mr Davies said that the council's response to the Covid pandemic has given him the most pride during his career.
"The response to that was a life and death one, it was something nobody had ever seen before.
"The government asked all councils to step up, and I think how this council responded was exemplary. I reflect back on that with pride and some of the efforts of our staff and volunteers have been absolutely phenomenal, and I hope that communities saw how the council rose to that really difficult period that we're still in, to some extent."
Mr Davies said the pandemic remained "a big issue".
"The longer-term health and economic impact of the pandemic, I don't think has fully landed.
"Clearly the retail, hospitality and arts and culture sectors suffered badly and will continue to suffer so it's important that we continue to work with businesses to look at how we can have a thriving high street."
LISTEN NOW to Mark Davies talking about how the council is responding to climate change and Covid-19, and his thoughts on the Eden Project North:
Mr Davies said that he would also help the council achieve its aim of achieving net carbon zero by 2030.
"If you tackle climate change, you tackle a lot of other issues.
"It's not just about decarbonisation. It's about improved health, air quality and better exercise."
He also said the Eden Project North, the new visitor attraction planned for Morecambe, is "an exciting once-in-many-generations project".
"Lancaster City Council is a trusted partner, a good partner of Eden, along with many other partners.
"It's important that as a partner we ensure that Eden can deliver the project.
"Get it right, and everything else we rise around it. There's a reason why Eden want to come to Morecambe, because it's a unique and beautiful place. We can see Eden is going to add another dimension to Morecambe, bring in many more people, and as Lancaster City Council we've got a clear role to ensure that the benefits are capitalised on.
"Eden comes, we look forward to it, but it does need to have that rebuilding, that regenerative effect on the local economy, on local people, on local communities and as the district as a whole."
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