This week we spoke to the man in charge of dishing out millions of pounds to Cumbrian businesses, Adrian Davis-Johnston.

Adrian is programme manager of business growth firm Innovus, and an Allerdale Councillor.

He says that Cumbria should ditch the two tiered council system, getting rid of several chief executives and saving hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Here’s what he had to say…

Business rates

This is a great opportunity for revenue to be retained in Cumbria. What we should focus on is that this is an opportunity to grow the county’s economy.

We are about to see the biggest investment in the county ever, and this will help us capitalise.

Council chief executives

I read about job reductions at Carlisle City Council. The two tier system is a waste of money, you could get rid of several chief executives and save a fortune, and front line jobs.

We need to merge and have two councils. We need to be united as a county, and be in control of our own destiny.

I absolutely agree with what Copeland Council did, getting rid of the chief executive. It will cost in the initial payout but after the first year you have already saved money.

This should be an inspiration for the entire county.

Inspiring young people 

The fantastic display of the aurora borealis lit up the sky this week and should be an inspiration to young people.

Inspiring kids in science is fundamental. When I was a kid I visited the visitor centre at Sellafield.

I asked a question about why plutonium is called plutonium, and people asked around until we had the answer.

Two inspiring things I would do for young people now are showing them the University of Manchester's Dalton Cumbria facility.

Scientists from all over the world, the USA, Belarus, Russia, gather here.

Secondly I would show them the top of a Cumbrian fell, you can be inspired by nature and get into science.

Innovus £1.5m fund

We are already giving out money from a £1.5m fund which we were recently awarded. We have been very busy with that, investing in innovative creative businesses.