Uredale Community Partnership
Focus and Impact
Uredale Community Partnership brings together public, private, community and voluntary sectors across Ripon and surrounding rural communities to tackle shared priorities through practical, joined-up action.
Following a comprehensive review of existing research, census data and workshops in 2024, the following working groups were formed: Housing, Connectivity (Digital and Transport), Culture and Green Space, Youth and Community Cohesion and Access to Services.
Last updated: January 2026 Snapshot: 5 working groups · 80 people on the partnership mailing list · 50+ organisations
Partnership Focus
Engaging in North Yorkshire Investment Plans
North Yorkshire Council is developing a Ripon Investment Plan as part of a county-wide programme across 32 towns, to help target future funding bids around local priorities. UCP is supporting this work by bringing partners together, sharing local insight from across Ripon and the wider Uredale area, and helping to align activity around the emerging priorities.
Following initial engagement with residents, businesses and stakeholders, the Investment Plan is being shaped around several emerging themes:
- Economic vitality and business support: ideas to strengthen infrastructure, skills and affordable workspace.
- Culture, heritage and green spaces: protecting what makes Ripon special, improving access to green space, and supporting cultural activity.
- Transport and connectivity: improving links, walking and cycling routes, and options that support access to services and the evening economy.
- Young people, health, wellbeing and access to services: strengthening facilities, tackling isolation and improving coordination between providers.
What this means in practice for Uredale
Local ideas and evidence are being turned into clear, fundable priorities, with partners working together to get projects ready to deliver.
Next step
NYC will present a draft plan at the next UCP meeting on 19 March 2026.
Further information
Read more on the vision for North Yorkshire on the NYC website. Masham (within Uredale) has also started consultation on a TIP.
Engaging with Business & Employers
UCP is developing a business and employer network, shaped directly by early engagement with local employers and designed to feed practical business insight into both the City and Town Investment Plans and targeted activity across Ripon and its rural hinterland.
So far: Two business breakfasts have brought together major Ripon and rural-based employers for open, constructive discussions about what local businesses need to grow and thrive. Shared priorities included workforce recruitment and retention, skills and training, affordable housing, space to grow, transport and connectivity, and the role of Ripon’s quality of place in attracting staff and investment. There was strong consensus that collaboration, not isolated interventions, is essential to long-term resilience.
Next: Building on this momentum, UCP will continue to test a light-touch, employer-led network model that connects businesses into UCP projects and high-street activity, supports peer-to-peer collaboration, and ensures business insight informs delivery and investment. The focus is on practical pilots, shared learning and coordination, avoiding duplication while strengthening links with North Yorkshire Council, the Growth Hub and wider partners.
Housing Working Group
The Housing Working Group focuses on practical, locally-led solutions to improve the availability of homes that meet local need across Ripon and surrounding rural communities.
Group lead: David Ingham, Community representative
Parish pilots for community-led housing
Impact: Three Parish Councils were convened to explore small-scale affordable and accessible homes pilots with housing enablers.
Next: Shape pilot options and identify practical next steps with partners
Local Plan input, rooted in evidence
Impact: UCP submitted a response to the North Yorkshire Local Plan consultation, highlighting rural housing affordability and calling for a balanced spatial strategy that enables sustainable growth in smaller settlements.
Next: Prepare for the next consultation stage with clear, local evidence.
Clotherhome Development
Impact: Engaging with Homes England on the Clotherholme development in Ripon, ensuring local housing needs and affordability are reflected in ongoing discussions
Next: Continue engagement with Homes England and partners to shape an approach that delivers homes that meet local need.
Rural Housing Conference: region-wide platform
Impact: A Rural Commission Housing Conference (12 June 2026) is being organised, bringing national perspectives and a stronger platform for Uredale priorities.
Next: Confirm speakers and UCP’s contribution to the programme
Accessibility standards pushed up the agenda
Impact: The group has advocated for new homes to meet M4(2) accessibility standards, strengthening the case for homes that work for more residents.
Next: Keep accessibility embedded in local planning and delivery conversations.
Transport Working Group
The Transport Working Group brings partners together to improve everyday connections, including access to work, education, health appointments and services, particularly for rural villages.
Group lead: Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Masham and Fountains Division
Masham community transport: delivery moves forward
Impact: Partner input is being gathered on which bus routes to support, ahead of Mayoral engagement on rural transport priorities.
Next: Confirm route priorities and progress collective lobbying.
Bus routes: partnership voice mobilised
Impact: Partner input is being gathered on which bus routes to support, ahead of Mayoral engagement on rural transport priorities.
Next: Confirm route priorities and progress collective lobbying.
Masham community transport: delivery moves forward
Impact: Partner input is being gathered on which bus routes to support, ahead of Mayoral engagement on rural transport priorities.
Next: Confirm route priorities and progress collective lobbying.
S106 contributions: pushing for transparency
Impact: Investigations are underway to identify unspent Section 106 funds, building a clearer picture of what is available for local benefit.
Next: Continue enquiries and press for improved visibility of allocations
Digital Connectivity Working Group
The Digital Connectivity Working Group tackles rural connectivity challenges, helping residents and businesses evidence issues and pursue practical improvements to coverage and access.
Group lead: Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Masham and Fountains
Smart meter connectivity: practical fixes shared
Impact: Residents facing smart meter signal issues are being supported with guidance on alternative connections, with Parish Councils helping identify those affected.
Next: Capture cases and escalate to the relevant bodies for resolution
Mobile ‘not-spots’: collective lobbying agreed
Impact: Action has been agreed to lobby on mobile coverage gaps, using a collective voice and rural networks to strengthen influence.
Next: Coordinate letters and share evidence from affected areas.
Youth & Community Cohesion Working Group
The Youth & Community Cohesion Working Group works with young people and local organisations to strengthen belonging, improve access to opportunities, and shape youth-friendly places and services.
Group lead: Joanne Thackwray, Power of 10 / Harrogate and District Community Action
Youth voice fed into place planning
Impact: A workshop with local groups, including the Youth Council, captured youth priorities and fed them into wider place planning discussions.
Next: Turn insights into a short delivery plan and practical next steps
Youth communications made more visible
Impact: Youth noticeboards have been installed at Ripon Outwood and the Library, improving visibility of opportunities.
Next: Build a joined-up approach to keeping information fresh and relevant.
Evidence of demand gathered quickly
Impact: A Youth Council survey received 100+ responses, highlighting demand for youth clubs and central community spaces.
Next: Use findings to shape proposals and strengthen funding applications.
Youth and community hub model advanced
Impact: A trial model for a youth and community hub in Ripon is being explored, with a premises search underway and support provided for related funding activity.
Next: Confirm viable premises options and refine the pilot offer.
Access to Services Working Group
The Access to Services Working Group focuses on improving everyday access to local support and services across Ripon and surrounding rural communities.
Group leads: Cllr Barbara Brodigan, Ripon Ure Bank & Spa Division and Dr Frances Cole, Living Well with Pain
Workshopping ideas
Focus: The group is currently developing and refining practical ideas to improve access to local services across Ripon and surrounding rural communities.
Next: Prioritise actions and agree delivery partners for the first set of pilots.
Culture & Green Space Working Group
The Culture & Green Space Working Group brings together cultural, heritage and environmental partners to identify gaps, share priorities and shape collaborative action across the Uredale area.
Group lead: Currently vacant
Workshopping ideas
Purpose: A collaborative session was held on 3 February with cultural partners across Uredale to identify gaps, share priorities, and explore opportunities for joint working.
Next: Report coming soon.