Have your say on developing a strategic relationship with WYCA
What would a West Yorkshire VCSE Sector Advocacy Group mean to you?
A key part of our work as the Local Infrastructure Organisation (LIO) for Kirklees is in representing the sector at a strategic level, both locally and regionally, and in working with key partners and statutory bodies, like the council and NHS. More, and more, though we’re now working at a West Yorkshire level, alongside the other West Yorkshire VCSE LIOs, in order to strengthen the strategic relationship between our sector and the Mayor of West Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).
Following on from a facilitated workshop earlier this year, discussions have continued between the five LIOs, VCSE leads in the five Local Authorities and WYCA about practical steps that we could take to develop a shared work programme.
We believe that it’s essential for VCSE voices and expertise to be included in co-designing, co-producing this work, and finalising an action plan for creating the West Yorkshire VCSE Sector Advocacy Group (working title). This will be the recognised regional VCSE sector strategic point of contact for the Mayor and WYCA (and a draft terms of reference has been developed).
If you would like to find out more about this work, find out how TSL Kirklees has been working with WYCA, or share your views about the VCSE Advocacy Group and how it should be formed, please send your details via our online form, or email Helen Orlic, by Friday 5th September 2025.