The Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector has a crucial role to play in ensuring that the benefits of devolution reach all our people and communities.

That’s why West Yorkshire’s Combined Authority, Local Authorities and Local Infrastructure Organisations are working in partnership to set up a new VCSE Advisory Group which can be advocates, champions and ambassadors for this important and valued sector.

Purpose

The group will act as the VCSE sector’s strategic point of contact with the Mayor ofWest Yorkshire Tracy Brabin and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, covering the following strategic ambitions:

• An integrated transport system that works for our region
• A regional economy that delivers inclusive growth
• Tackling the climate emergency by creating a net zero carbon region
• Creating safe, cohesive and thriving communities

Who can apply

Dynamic and forward looking local VCSE leaders are needed to work alongside representation from the region’s five place Local Infrastructure Organisations (Voluntary Action Leeds, Third Sector Leaders Kirklees, Community Action Bradford & District, Voluntary & Community Calderdale, and Nova Wakefield District). This will form a strong Advisory Group of 13 places in total.

Roles

Provider representatives (5 places):

• One additional representative per West Yorkshire district is required, a total of 5 places.
• You could be leading a neighbourhood-based community group, co-operative or social enterprise.
• Those with specialist knowledge in one of the Combined Authority’s specific policy agendas listed above are particularly encouraged to come forward, for example leaders in organisations with experience of delivering community transport services, and those who have existing links or a willingness to engage with local community transport work or networks.

Thematic representatives (3 pan-West Yorkshire places):

• Funding – a VCSE leader with knowledge, expertise and experience in maximising and aligning sector funding streams and investment
• Equalities – a VCSE leader with expertise and experience for example in minoritised communities, and inclusion as they relate to making Combined Authority services, programmes and investment accessible and beneficial to everyone; and
• Community wellbeing – a VCSE leader who has significant knowledge and experience in wellbeing, community safety and cohesion, or poverty/ multiple deprivation alleviation.

Expectations

The expectation of all appointed representatives is that you will:

• Be an ambassador, champion and advocate for the VCSE sector in all you do.
• Champion equity, diversity and inclusion in all your work.
• Prioritise attendance at Group meetings, attending a minimum of three out of four (it is expected that meetings will be quarterly). Meetings will last 2 hours and require additional time for meeting preparation, gathering insight and feeding thisinto the group.
• Be accountable for ensuring a high degree of visibility of the Group’s work to VCSE partners and acting as a conduit to and from the Group, representing and leading beyond your organisation in the best interests of all VCSE organisations.
• Co-design a shared work programme that drives the sector’s strategic relationship with the Mayor of West Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, including strengthening and deepening collaboration, involvement, investment, and embeddedness within the sector.
• Co-design, with WYCA regional working principles, values and behaviours, in line with the national Civil Society Covenant.
• Promise to uphold the Nolan Principles of Public Life.
• The Group will not be involved in commissioning or funding decisions and you will actively work to manage any conflicts of interest. You will represent the entire sector, not just your organisation, and maintain confidentiality.

Support

Membership is voluntary. However, to enable participation and meet specific needs, a package of support and resources will be available to members, including mentoring and training opportunities for early-stage sector leaders with outstanding potential.

Application and selection steps

Complete the online expression of interest form.

The deadline for submission of an expression of interest is 5pm on Friday 13 February 2026.

Candidates may be requested to join an online group discussion (dependent on the number of expressions of interest received):

• Provider reps – Tuesday 3 March
• Thematic reps – Weds 4 March

All shortlisted candidates must be available for an in-person interview in Leeds:

• Provider representative roles – p.m. Friday 6 March 2026
• Thematic representative roles – p.m. Thursday 12 March 2026

Please direct any queries to: VCSEAdvisory@westyorks-ca.gov.uk