West Yorkshire Rural Partnership
Recent activity
West Yorkshire Rural Access to Opportunities Programme 2009-2011
The Rural Access to Opportunities Programme (RAOP) formed one of the key activities under Yorkshire Forward's Rural Policy Product Range which aims to 'build a modern rural economy based on enterprise, competitiveness and the region's unique assets'. The RAOP formed part of the rural services product, enabling people in remote and deprived rural communities of Yorkshire to access employment and training opportunities and strengthen rural partnerships in order to deliver Regional Economic Strategy (RES) economic objectives. Based on previous research and evaluation evidence, the West Yorkshire RAOP aimed to promote sustainable rural economic development by improving access to employment and training opportunities and key services, particularly those residing in remote and deprived rural communities.
The common policy focus had three strands:
- Transport to employment and training - this will focus on delivering schemes that will assist people in accessing employment and training opportunities;
- Access to services - including a delegated access to services grant scheme to support projects that address the most severe problems affecting rural communities within each sub-region. The intervention funds will be used to support projects that address the most severe problems. For example, projects will address service gaps and rural exclusion;
- Capacity Building / Rural Partnerships - including funding for additional staff to support the Regional Rural Affairs Forum / Practitioners Group and sub-regional rural partnerships.
Metro, the Passenger Transport Executive for West Yorkshire, was sub-contracted by CMBC to manage and promote the following two funds, as part of the programme:
- Rural Access to Services Delegated Fund
- Rural Transport Delegated Fund.
For more information on Metro's rural transport programme visit Metro: West Yorkshire Rural Transport Programme|
The WYRP Co-ordinator post is part-funded through the programme.
Rural Development Programme for England 2007 - 2013 (RDPE)
We want to retain, grow and attract businesses that sustain rural communities. We know agriculture and forestry are essential sectors and we want to boost their efficiency and competitiveness. Our aim is to ensure rural areas remain vibrant and diverse and improve the quality of life and environment. A dynamic rural economy is as essential to the region as it is to the social fabric of our rural communities.
The Rural Development Programme for England runs from 2007-2013 and means we are able to invest £63m in our region over 6 years.
- Rural Business Support Programme| (RBSP)
Encourages the start-up and diversification of economic activity in rural areas; - Rural Enterprise Investment Programme| (REIP)
Helps rural businesses to grow and become more productive; - The Farm Resource Efficiency Programme| (FREP)
Helps farmers introduce new technology to promote efficiency in resource management; - LandSkills|
Improves the skills that are specific to the region’s agricultural, horticultural and forestry sectors; - LEADER|
Empowers local communities to get involved in improving the places where they live.
Useful organisations
Business Link|
Setting up and running your own business is an exciting and challenging prospect – and we're here to help you achieve success. With Business Link Yorkshire you'll never be alone – we provide you with free support, guidance, inside knowledge and practical advice and information on an ongoing basis.
Defra| (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is the UK government department responsible for policy and regulations on the environment, food and rural affairs.
East Riding Rural Partnership
The East Riding of Yorkshire Rural Partnership (ERY RP) was launched in 1998 with the aim of increasing the health, vibrancy and economic prosperity of the rural East Riding. ERY RP has produced a number of Rural Strategies, advised on rural proofing issues, and run projects through various sub-groups
Growing Routes|
Growing Routes helps people who are part of the agricultural and rural community living in Yorkshire and the Humber to start new businesses.
- Stimulating innovation - helping people to identify opportunities and to make best use of available resources.
- Developing business plans - you have the idea and we will help you to develop the skills necessary to produce a high quality business plan.
- Mentor guidance - people with good business experience will help you during the critical early months.
- Links to other organisations - who may also be able to help you.
- A Business Network - giving you the opportunity to meet others starting up new businesses.
- Grant applications - we can give you help to apply for grant investment from the Rural Development Programme for England developed specifically for farmers and small rural businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Humber Rural Partnership |
The Humber Rural Partnership is one of four sub-regional rural partnerships in Yorkshire and the Humber. It is led by East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The Partnership delivered the successful Humber Rural Pathfinder Delivery Programme (2005-2009).
The Partnership acts as a rural “voice” for the Hull and Humber Ports City Region. It has recently produced a Rural Strategy for the City Region, and is taking forward a range of activity aimed at implementing this strategy's key aims and objectives.
Lantra|
Lantra is the industry body supporting skills, education and training for the UK's environmental and land-based industries. Lantra works closely with industry, education and the government, to give employers a real influence over skills in the UK.
Leeds City Region |
The Leeds City Region is the real economy for 11 local authorities across North, South and West Yorkshire. It is the area across which people travel to work, spend their leisure time, go to school, and live.
The Leeds City Region Partnership brings together the eleven local authorities of Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York, along with North Yorkshire County Council to work toward the common aim of a prosperous and sustainable city region by working together in areas such as transport, skills, housing, spatial planning and innovation.
Natural England|
Natural England is the government's advisor on the natural environment. We provide practical advice, grounded in science, on how best to safeguard England's natural wealth for the benefit of everyone.
North Yorkshire Strategic Partnership / Rural Partnership|
This partnership was created with a remit to cover issues of rurality and sustainability, which will include: stronger communities, access to opportunities and services and access to housing.
Rural Action Yorkshire|
Rural Action Yorkshire aims to ensure that rural issues and 'the rural voice' are heard, acknowledged and addressed by the decision and policy makers at all levels of government.
Rural Action Yorkshire works with local communities to recognise and develop the skills and knowledge that exists within the community. By encouraging whole community involvement Rural Action Yorkshire aims to empower local people in order for them to be able to have an input into how their local area and services are best managed.
Yorkshire and Humber Rural Affairs Forum|
The Yorkshire and The Humber Rural Affairs Forum is a group made up of the region's rural stakeholders who aim to represent the views and concerns of the rural 'customer', i.e. people affected by policies and services in rural areas. The Forum provides feedback to authorities and organisations responsible for policy and service delivery and acts as a sounding board for new ideas.
