SEP brings together public, private and third sector organisations working collaboratively to increase the economic prospects of Sedbergh. The Partnership includes elected members across all tiers of local authorities plus the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Settlebeck School, local business owners, Farfield Mill, Cumbria Tourism, Sedbergh Community Trust, Sedbergh Community Interest Company, Sedbergh School, Cumbria Farmers Network. SEP is chaired independently. Officers from Westmorland & Furness Council, Sedbergh Parish Council and the National Park also attend.

 

Sedbergh Economic Partnership (SEP) was established in 2018, following the publication of the Sedbergh Economic Assessment by Douglas Wheeler Associates.  In 2020 a new Vision for Sedbergh was agreed and in 2021 the SEP published the Sedbergh Growth Framework, a strategic programme of economic growth for the town.  The SEP works as a collaboration without a direct budget. In May 2021, funding was provided by the district and county council, Sedbergh Community Trust, Sedbergh School and Sedbergh CiC for a co-ordinator to help deliver the Growth Framework and support the partnership.

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The SEP has a part-time project co-ordinator, Joanne Golton, an experienced economic development practitioner who has worked over 20 years in economic regeneration and community development with a series of local authorities, community groups and public / private sector partnerships across the UK. More recently Joanne, as the Economic Development Manager at South Lakeland District Council, worked closely with many towns such as Sedbergh to bring about positive economic projects and change. Details on the role and the funding package is available here.

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