Marches Forward Partnership hosts inaugural partnership board meeting

17 July 2025

The Marches Forward Partnership (MFP), a pioneering collaboration between four neighbouring councils, has held its inaugural MFP partnership board meeting at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury.

The MFP unites Herefordshire Council, and Monmouthshire County Council, Powys County Council and Shropshire Council - local authorities that share geography, infrastructure, and economic challenges. Together, they aim to unlock investment, drive innovation, and deliver transformative projects that benefit the region's 730,000 residents.

The board was briefed on the MFP's three areas of focus and how progress will be delivered:

• High Productivity Rural, Small Town and City-based Economy: Supporting the Marches Good Food Movement in developing resilient food systems and local supply chains. The Marches Innovation and Knowledge Network to foster collaboration between research, education, and enterprise and the Marches Evergreen Housing Group which will explore how revitalising vacant town centre properties can help ease the pressures on emergency and affordable housing need.
• A Green Economy Trailblazer Region: By creating the Marches Environmental Investment Platform (MEIP)  the MFP will seek private investment for environmental schemes, including the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme. The MFP will also advance sustainable energy strategies.
• Healthy and Connected Places: The Marches Connect Transport Group will explore bettercross-boundary transport infrastructure and connectivity including single ticket travel and changes to travel restrictions. The region will also be promoted through the March the Marches Tourism Group Co-ordinating strategic tourism development, including eight new projects such as "Walking with Offa" and "The Marches Festival."

The partnership board, includes Leaders and Chief Executives from the four local authorities, alongside key strategic partners who bring local expertise and a shared commitment to driving a high-productivity rural and town-based economy.

While the board will not hold decision-making powers over individual partner organisations, it will play a crucial role in identifying and addressing complex, cross-cutting regional challenges.

Speaking for the MFP members Councillor Heather Kidd, leader of Shropshire Council and who chaired the  partnership board, said: "The Marches Forward Partnership is a bold step toward a more connected, resilient, and prosperous future for our region. By working together across borders, we can unlock the full potential of our communities and landscapes. Our mutual commitment to the MFP is a gateway to transparency, collaboration, and progress."