I am delighted to hear that the River Severn Partnership has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award. The partnership has been put forward in the 'Innovation in Partnerships' category of the MJ Achievement Awards. These awards acknowledge the tremendous effort of those in local government dedicating themselves to supporting local communities, facing challenge after challenge, but never giving up in the face of adversity.
This is the second time in recent months that the partnership has been recognised for their innovative partnership working, having also made it to the final round of this year’s LGC (Local Government Chronicle) Awards.
The UK’s first strategic rural partnership has brought together partners across the Severn Catchment in England and Wales to deliver an integrated approach to resilience in areas blighted by flooding. Crucially, it’s fundamentally altering the way we manage and utilise rivers by viewing them as a social, environmental and economic asset, rather than a liability.
The partnership, which includes councils, national agencies, wildlife trusts and local nature groups, has attracted unprecedented levels of government funding as it develops and delivers a growing range of innovative projects across an area that’s home to 2.6 million people. They include projects marrying green growth with climate resilience and piloting new ways of harnessing technology to predict and prevent flooding.
I am extremely proud of what has been achieved so far, and will work closely with the partnership to ensure that the excellent work continues.