Four new Local Area Partnerships have been introduced into the Wakefield District, based on the same boundaries as the four parliamentary constituencies of Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford, Normanton and Hemsworth. The Partnerships will allow greater community engagement, and improved work between partners.
The Partnerships are not council committees and will be more flexible in their operation than formal committees. They have District Elected Member representation of one member per ward and will be supported by senior council officers. Meetings will take place every two months.
Membership may include: elected members; West Yorkshire Police; relevant Council Services, Primary Care Trust; community representatives; schools; town and parish councils; voluntary sector representation; and representatives from local businesses.
The first meetings of each Partnership held in May and June, concentrated on discussions around how the partners would work together and share information.

The Partnerships will:-
• focus on issues which are important to local people such as green spaces, facilities for young people, the environment, access to health and community safety.
• allow service providers to come together to jointly agree priority areas which they can then all work on to make real improvements for communities.
• be an opportunity for receiving progress reports on area-based services such as Neighbourhood Action.

Nominations from community groups and organisations who wish to be representatives on the partnerships are being sought. Forms can be obtained from the Area Partnership Team at Wakefield Town Hall on 01924 306983 or by emailing areapartnerships@wakefield.gov.uk.
The next meetings will be held in July and August, and details will be made available in the local press and on Wakefield Council’s s website at www.wakefield.gov.uk.