Award for cross-border environmental and economic partnership

19 June2024

The River Severn Partnership has been recognised for its exceptional work with an award at the LGC (Local Government Chronicle) Awards 2024.

It won the public/public partnership category, which recognises organisations for demonstrating an innovative approach to service improvements, efficiency, and adding significant value to local communities.

The River Severn Partnership - a multi-sector, cross-border collaboration - aims to build resilience and prosperity for the 2.6 million people living alongside the UK's longest river.

Partners include Powys County Council, Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, Herefordshire County Council, Worcestershire County Council, Warwickshire County Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Natural Resources Wales, Natural England, Severn Trent Water, National Farmers' Union, local nature partnerships, wildlife trusts, and academic institutions such as Birmingham City University.

The judges said: "Congratulations to Shropshire Council (lead organisation), River Severn Partnership. An impressive and unique large-scale partnership that cuts across national, regional and local boundaries which will have huge impact for 2.6m residents.

"The partnership truly does demonstrate the power in coming together and delivering beyond the capabilities of one partner alone, even with the challenges of working across different governance models and partner priorities. Turning the issue of flooding and climate change around to become an opportunity, rather than simply a challenge, is really impressive."

The LGC said entrants this year demonstrated outstanding practice as well as cutting-edge innovations, and the judges were very impressed with the extremely high standard.

Prof Mark Barrow, co-chair of the River Severn Partnership, said: "We are delighted the judges recognised the partnership for what it is, an excellent example of cross border, multi-agency working.

"Since its inception the partnership, co-chaired by the Environment Agency and Shropshire Council, has been successful in attracting funding and is on course to make the Severn Catchment Britain's most vibrant and resilient river network; where an exceptional quality of life, prosperous local economies and an outstanding natural environment is driven by a programme of innovation to reduce flood risk, secure future water resources and improve and deliver shared natural assets."