A NEW effort has been launched to improve life for people in North Yorkshire.

Agencies from across the county, including councils, are attempting to develop a "local area agreement".

The agreements are three-year deals between the Government and councils and other agencies to help meet local needs.

It means funds previously allocated by the Government for national targets will be pooled by the partners and managed depending on what each area needs.

At a conference in Harrogate, members of the North Yorkshire Strategic Partnership set the scene for a county-wide local area agreement.

Agencies, including councils, health authorities, the police and fire service, together with representatives from voluntary and community groups, met to discuss the scheme.

It is hoped the agreement will lead to improvements in four areas -children and young people; health and older people; safety and stronger communities; and economic development.

County council leader John Weighell said: "This agreement will improve how we all work together, pull in the same direction, and deliver better services and a better quality of life for everyone."

The next meeting will take place on September 20.