Barnsley Council welcomed representatives from Hammersmith & Fulham Council, Imperial College London and Upstream Nexus to the town on Tuesday 25 March to begin a new partnership which will see both councils share learning to achieve inclusive economic growth in their boroughs.
We've signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the London-based local authority and will now work with them to learn more about some of their major projects which will help us to deliver on key strategies that will have a huge impact on our borough in the coming years and provide key information of our own from projects like the pioneering Health on the High Street programme.
Hammersmith & Fulham's existing partnership with Imperial College London has supported digital innovation and economic growth in their area through the development of the White City Innovation District, which has created a network of partners across the globe from Argentina to Australia and is making the jobs of the future in the technology sector.
As Barnsley aims to become the UK's leading digital town with the ambitious plans for The Seam Digital Campus, as stated in our new Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy, the White City Innovation District is a great example of how to create a digital and economic hotspot to increase economic growth, which we can learn a lot from.
With plans in place to give our children and young people the best start in life and adulthood through the Great Childhoods Ambition, we want to hear from our southern counterparts about the delivery of their Upstream Pathway Bond, which helps businesses to support young people in the borough by providing access to a menu of opportunities, including apprenticeships and work experience, extra-curricular and community support, mentoring and sponsorship, and skills and education.
Councillor Sir Steve Houghton, CBE, Leader of Barnsley Council, said: "It was fantastic to host our colleagues from Hammersmith & Fulham Council in Barnsley.
"They've done great work over many years to position themselves as a leading global innovator for economic growth and provide excellent support for their children and young people.
"There is so much for us to learn from, and it was intriguing to hear how they have gone about these major projects which have made a real difference in their borough.
"Much of what they have done will help to inform some of our plans for projects like the Great Childhoods Ambition and The Seam Digital Campus, and we hope they will be able to take inspiration from what we have done in Barnsley, like Health on the High Street, to apply in their borough.
"We're looking forward to continuing to build this relationship as we move through our innovation journey, learning from each other's successes and failures by sharing best practice, providing learning opportunities for employees and residents and helping one another to drive inclusive growth and innovation in our boroughs."
Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, added: "It was inspiring to see the transformative work led by Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton CBE and his team - the very epitome of Entrepreneurial Municipal Government.
"The hard application of their imagination, persuasion, and relentless determination is reshaping the economic landscape of Barnsley, offering new and better prospects for their residents.
"From Barnsley's trailblazing Health on the High Street work to their clever plans for the Seam Digital Campus, it was clear why Barnsley has established itself as an investment centre for global businesses in future-shaping, long-cycle industries.
"Barnsley's approach and their Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy aligns with the ethos of other partner high growth innovation centres we work with around the world.
"I'm very grateful to have an 'inclusive growth partnership' between Barnsley Council and Upstream London/Hammersmith & Fulham Council. Together, we will foster new ways to benefit everyone in our communities."
