This Civic Agreement will see collaboration on special projects centred on place, public and partnerships. It will help deliver the town’s Luton 2040 Vision of a place to thrive – a shared town-wide vision that the town’s key institutions, including the University, worked together to produce.

Professor Rebecca Bunting, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire, commented: “We are committed to working to transform Luton and are proud to see this commitment formalised through our Civic Agreement, built around the shared Luton 2040 Vision. This agreement brings strategic alignment to the roles of the University and the Council in the transformation of Luton and details how we will use the power of our research, education and enterprise to shift long-standing societal problems in the town.”

Cllr Hazel Simmons MBE, Leader of Luton Council, said: “This Civic Agreement is a key step for the future prosperity of our town and we are delighted to be coordinating our efforts with the University of Bedfordshire. It plays a really important role, supporting thousands of residents and students along with helping provide local businesses with a skilled workforce.

“This collaborative working is a great opportunity for us both, as two key institutions, to work together for the future of Luton and the benefit of the town’s people, businesses, partner organisations and environment.”

Central to the agreement is a shared celebration of cultural diversity and the power of research, education and enterprise. It will also focus on five areas that align with the priorities of the Luton 2040 vision, which will help to improve population wellbeing and tackle health inequalities; build an inclusive economy that delivers investment to support the growth of businesses, jobs and incomes; and tackle the climate emergency to become a net-zero town with sustainable growth and a healthier environment.

Priorities of the partnership will also include supporting a strong and empowered community built on fairness and equality; and on becoming a child-friendly town.

For updates on the institutions’ Civic Agreement plans, visit: www.beds.ac.uk/civic-agreement