Local Government ExplainedCross border collaboration: Case studies and resources for local government
Sid Hayward, LGIU
Curated case studies of ways governments are working together to pool resources and improve lives across local, regional or international borders. Examples and research this week come from the US, Australia, and the UK.
Curated case studies of ways governments are working together to pool resources and improve lives across local, regional or international borders. Examples and research this week come from the US, Australia, and the UK.
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Policy innovation and inspiration examples from the local government sector
UK: Projects powered by borderlands growth deal
The Borderlands Partnership is a coalition between five councils across the south of Scotland and North of England. In 2021, the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal was signed, bringing up to £452 million of fresh investment to the region. Several projects are currently underway as part of the deal, aimed at improving places, supporting business, enabling infrastructure, and encouraging green growth. Amenities including a mountain bike innovation centre, a theatre, and Hadrian’s wall have all received regeneration funding.
Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal
AUSTRALIA: Queensland appoints Cross-Border Commissioner for border area councils
Councils in Queensland have this week welcomed the appointment of a Cross-Border Commissioner, following lobbying from peak body LGAQ. Ian Leavers will be tasked in the new role with improvie service delivery, boosting disaster resilience and tackling cross-border crime. Mr Leavers will work closely with border councils, alongside regional bodies, associations and groups. He said “a cross-border commissioner will be a voice for these communities and will champion resilience and economic opportunities”. Premier Steven Miles said people living and working in multiple jurisdictions face different approaches to regulation and essential service delivery, which can be challenging.
Government News
USA: Counties partner to address youth involvement in the criminal justice system
In 2018, leaders from Savannah and Chatham County, Georgia launched “The Front Porch”, designed to address youth involvement in the criminal justice system. The scheme is a community-based risk reduction program, that identifies young people and families at risk of being involved with the courts. Instead, they receive community resources to keep them on another track. In the scheme’s first year of operation, referrals from schools in the region to juvenile court has declined by 85%, with more than 700 youth served across the first three years of operation.
Governing
UK: English and Welsh councils sign border partnership
Four English and Welsh councils last year joined forces for the Marches Forward Partnership, a new agreement which will see the councils work together to tackle some of the challenges they share. Shropshire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire and Powys councils announced they will work even more closely via the partnership, alongside both UK and Welsh governments, and will work jointly to secure funding from these central and devolved governments. The four councils cover 80% over the English/Welsh borderland, with a population of close to 750,000.
Shropshire Council
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