Leeds Bradford Corridor

A joint partnership between Leeds City Council, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council and Integreat Yorkshire formed The Leeds Bradford Practice Forums, which took place over a 5 month period in 2008.

The forums facilitated by NS+, which cover topics such as public realm, transport, housing and skills and worklessness, included masterclasses from policy experts and real life case studies. These help stimulate ideas and give delegates the chance to reflect, critique and explore innovative ways of working, particularly in relation to the Leeds Bradford corridor.

The purpose of the Practice Forums was to encourage collaborative working and a problem-solving approach to a range of strategic issues; an arena for shared learning and constructive discussion about the future of the two cities and the region beyond.

“The forums provided a dialogue between professionals to help hone their abilities in creating sustainable communities and have been a great success,” Stacey Jobson, Learning Programmes Manager, Integreat Yorkshire.

Key Speakers included:

David Shepherd, Assistant Director of Housing at Bradford Council

Professor Ian Cole, Professor of Housing Studies at Sheffield Hallam University

Stephen Joseph, Director of Campaign for Better Transport

David George, Project Manager of Fastrack Kent Thameside Delivery Board

“This will be a model that can be replicated with other councils in the region. A programme as extensive as this will increase the skills and knowledge within these local authorities, whilst developing relationships and sharing best practice within emerging regeneration teams,” Richard Motley, Programme Director, Integreat Yorkshire.