By Julian Whittle Political editor

Last updated 05:36, Friday, 16 May 2008

THE man in charge of Carlisle Renaissance since 2005 has been appointed to a new £75,000-a-year post to carry on the job.

Ian McNichol: Programme director

Ian McNichol, 41, joined Carlisle City Council on a three-year secondment from regeneration consultants David Taylor Associates.

He was due to leave this autumn but will now stay put with the new title of Renaissance programme director.

Instead of working for the council, he will answer to the 12-person board about to take control of Renaissance from the city and county councils. He takes up the post on July 1.

City council chief executive Maggie Mooney said: “Ian is a highly experienced and capable practitioner who is committed to our vision.“He has worked with us from its beginning and it is fitting that he should play a leading role in realising our ambitions for Carlisle.”

Mr McNichol, a father of two, has lived in Carlisle for four years.

He is married to Andrea, daughter of local businessman John Pattison, and has worked in regeneration since 1988.

He was chosen as a programme director by a panel made up of representatives of the city and county councils, Cumbria Vision and the Northwest Development Agency.

Mr McNichol said: “Carlisle is entering a new era. It has tremendous potential for economic growth.

“The challenge now is to fulfil this potential, harnessing the skills and resources of the public and the private sector to bring about Renaissance.”

Renaissance was launched as a response to the 2005 floods.

It centres on major redevelopments of Rickergate and Viaduct Estate, which will become the HQ of the University of Cumbria.

Mr McNichol will lead a Renaissance team including three development managers and an urban designer, some of whom are already in place.

Total funding for the team is £750,000 a year, paid for in large part by the Northwest Development Agency.

Meanwhile, Carlisle MP Eric Martlew has criticised the make-up of the new Renaissance board.

The 12 members, six each from the public and private sectors, include Kingmoor Park boss Brian Scowcroft, Hooper’s general manager Victoria Farley, Chris Carr of the University of Cumbria, John Nixon of Carlisle United and CN Group chief executive Robin Burgess.

Mr Martlew says that only one of the 12, county council-appointee Cyril Weber, lives in the urban area of Carlisle. “Renaissance is basically about the urban area,” the Labour MP said. “Not to have people on the board who live there and experience it is beyond belief, Other people are imposing solutions on the people of Carlisle.” he said. He wants a rethink of the board’s membership and will take up the issue with its chairman, Bryan Gray, who visits Carlisle today.