Working with Partners

The four West of England authorities are committed to working with partners on a wide range of topics.

In more areas than transport, in waste management and waste strategy, in tackling worklessness and ensuring the supply of a skilled workforce in the future, to planning ahead for growth and jobs and managing unwanted development, the councils work with private companies, government and local agencies, voluntary sector representatives, education groups and others. 

These are often referred to as Social, Economic and Environmental Partners - or SEEPS and some have formal representation on the West of England Partnership Board.   In transport we have developed specific partnerships in order to improve the exchange of information between us, leading to better delivery of services, better use of public money and better planning ahead for the future.
	For example, First Avon and Somerset are a key partner in the delivery of the showcase network as part of the Greater Bristol Bus Network and the four councils and First have worked closely together to deliver a more reliable bus network across the area.  Find out more

The West of England councils have formalised arrangements through Memorandum of Understanding with the Highways Agency, the Rail industry and the Health Sector.

Each memorandum is backed up with an Action Plan that aims to build on existing links and help develop a greater understanding of each others work so that future decisions can be made with a clear understanding and appreciation of each others position, and hopefully succeed in meeting joint goals and outcomes.

Each Memorandum is slightly different, reflecting the varying roles of our partners, but every signatory is united the aim of improving local transport.