Hebden Bridge News

Celebrating Rural West Yorkshire

A celebration of the West Yorkshire Rural Partnership was held on Tuesday 20th April, looking at their achievements over the last twelve months and the projects planned for the future.

Founded in 2002, the Partnership has raised the rural profile and helped local projects in West Yorkshire. The members work together to ensure a sustainable future for rural economies in West Yorkshire.

The Partnership is made up of Local Authority representatives from Calderdale, Kirklees, Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds and organisations including Natural England, Pennine Prospects and Business Link Yorkshire.

The Partnership is well regarded by Yorkshire Forward as a mechanism for commissioning programmes and delivering information to benefit rural economies and communities.

Major successes include the South Pennines LEADER grant funding which has enabled a community led approach to rural development and helped local communities develop culture, heritage, village development and renewal.

The Access to Opportunities programme has allowed transport improvements, cross boundary services and improved accessibility. This has boosted the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the rural areas within West Yorkshire.

The Partnership is held up as a model for good practice for ‘rural proofing’ services. This is particularly prominent in the Welfare to Work programme to be delivered by Serco this year. The Partnership was an advisor and ‘critical friend’ on important issues facing rural communities when delivering the programme.

Raising the profile of existing programmes is also a key aim of the Partnership. The ‘Growing Routes’ initiative, working alongside Business Link to offer specialist and practical advice to new businesses has increased its work in areas throughout West Yorkshire as a direct result of promotion through the Partnership.

Calderdale Councillor and Chair of the West Yorkshire Rural Partnership, Councillor Carter says:

“The Partnership has proved to be an important and effective body in promoting the rural issues that affect the West Yorkshire rural area.

“There are important challenges ahead and we are looking forward to making sure rural issues remain high on the agenda with the development of the Leeds City Region.”

The West Yorkshire Rural Partnership would like to thank The Waterfront Lodge Hotel, Brighouse for holding this event.