Local authorities on either side of the border between Wales and England are set to join a new partnership in a bid to seek Government funding for areas of shared interest.
The new Marches Forward Partnership includes Herefordshire Council and Shropshire Council in England, and Monmouthshire County Council and Powys County Council in Wales.
The aim of the partnership is to help the local authorities better address areas that require cross-border cooperation. These areas include transport, skills, housing, energy, climate change and digital connectivity.
Powys County Council leader Cllr James Gibson-Watt said: ‘There is great potential if we can agree to work alongside colleagues in Monmouthshire, Shropshire and Herefordshire Councils. It reflects the geography of the area and at the same time acknowledges some of the commonalities between us.’
He added: ‘We are already talking to government about what benefits our collaboration will bring and it is enthusiastic about the potential for the wider region.’
