A Brief History

The Yorkshire and Humber Association of Civic Societies was established in November 1999 as the Yorkshire and Humber Amenity Societies Association.

Civic societies are independent and voluntary groups of people who want to improve the environment in which they live. They aim to promote high standards of conservation and planning in our towns and villages. Societies vary enormously in size, resources and ambition but tend to meet the challenge in similar ways. Many societies were formed in the 1960's and 1970's following unsatisfactory redevelopment in towns and cities.

Civic societies are often involved in a large number of activities; these can include transport planning, education projects, and environmental and social issues. Civic societies can:

Concentrate on improving the built environment by having a say in the planning process.
Take the initiative on local issues.
Provide management support to other like-minded organisations.
Raise awareness of good and bad practice and promote sustainable development.
Organise walks to help appreciation of the built environment.
Carry out practical projects.
Work on preserving our rich heritage whilst maintaining a balance between contemporary and historic issues.

In the last decade, Government has attached increasing importance to regional matters. Many key decisions affecting our towns and cities are made at regional level and this trend is expected to continue.

By 1999 it was recognised by some far-sighted societies that they did not have the resources to address the regional agenda and that there would be merit in having an association of Yorkshire and Humber societies for mutual support and co-operation.

Yorkshire and Humber societies need a successful association in order to have an input into the national Civic Trust National Committee otherwise they may be at risk of becoming isolated and parochial. The Government's White Paper, 'Our Towns and Cities, the Future' states that urban renaissance will not be achieved and sustained without the direct engagement of local people. Civic societies have a key role to play in this process. Without a strong association the civic society movement will be weaker and not able to play its proper full role in shaping the future.

Societies in the other English regions have come to the same conclusion and are at various stages in developing their associations.