Westmorland and Furness Council’s Thriving Communities Directorate have won the inaugural Withnall Partnership Award at this year’s prestigious RSPCA PawPrints Awards, held in Leeds on Thursday 13 November.
The award was accepted on behalf of the council by Senior Manager Public Protection, Emma Brass and Commercial Services Team Leader, Georgina Austin-Fell. The award was given in recognition of the council’s pioneering partnership work with the RSPCA in support of animal welfare at Appleby Horse Fair.
The Withnall Partnership Award is particularly poignant as it commemorates the service of former RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Withnall who worked with partner organisations at the fair over many years.
RSPCA Superintendent Jo Hirst said: “I was lucky enough to work alongside Kirsty both in the field when we were both inspectors and then later in our careers when we both were part of the Special Operations Unit.
“Kirsty was so dedicated to her work and was tireless in her efforts to improve the lives of those animals who were deliberately abused.
“To see an award in her name is a really proud moment for all her friends and colleagues who work within the RSPCA - Kirsty was a huge horse lover and I know she would agree that the work Emma, Georgina and their teams have done to reduce animal suffering and create quicker protection for animals in need at the Fair is truly remarkable, setting a benchmark for animal welfare at major public events.”
Kirsty’s dad, Trevor Withnall, said: “We were so delighted and honoured that the RSPCA has created the Withnall Partnership Award in memory of our daughter.
“Kirsty was absolutely passionate about the work she did in liaising with other agencies and organisations to improve animal welfare and we were particularly pleased to learn that the first winner was the Westmorland & Furness Council, who are involved in a multi-agency co-ordination at Appleby Horse Fair - a subject very close to Kirsty’s heart.”
In 2024, to overcome long-standing delays caused by statutory limits in the Animal Welfare Act (2006), Westmorland & Furness Council’s Thriving Communities Directorate pioneered a UK-first approach: delegating authority to qualified RSPCA officers so they could act autonomously when welfare concerns were identified. The innovation cut response times, reduced suffering, and freed police and council resources.
Crucially, the changes were developed with the active support of Gypsy and Traveller communities, ensuring interventions were respectful, proportionate and clearly explained - strengthening relationships for the long-term.
Lee Gingell, RSPCA Public Affairs Manager, said: “It’s really important to highlight the incredible efforts we know so many go to for animals and we are thrilled to celebrate Emma, Georgina and Westmorland and Furness Council for their pioneering work - what they have done for animals is amazing and recognising outstanding work like this is the exact reason the Withnall Partnerships Award was created.
“The public sector plays a vital role in improving animal welfare standards - and year on year, we’re so proud of the part the PawPrints scheme plays in inspiring the improvement of standards.
“This commitment from public bodies like Westmorland & Furness Council has changed the lives of countless pets, wildlife, livestock and other animals, and yet this vital work often goes unheard - which is why we’re so thrilled to celebrate it.”
Emma Brass said: “We’re so proud to have been awarded the very first Withnall Partnerships Award from the RSPCA at this year’s PawPrints Awards ceremony.
“The Appleby Horse Fair is a huge event for us every year, and to know that the work we’ve done in bringing together multiple partners to safeguard the welfare of animals there has been recognised is very special.
“It was particularly special to be presented with the award by Kirsty’s parents, Trevor and Wendy, and we hope that the award and our work in this area will inspire others to come together to make a real difference to the lives of animals.”
Director of Thriving Communities for Westmorland and Furness Council and Chair of the Multi Agency Strategic Coordinating Group (MASCG) for Appleby Horse Fair, Steph Cordon, said: “I’m incredibly proud that this initiative has been recognised with the first ever RSPCA PawPrints Withnall Partnership Award.
“However, in receiving this award we acknowledge and give thanks to all our partners in the MASCG, including the RSPCA and Cumbria Police, for all the work they do to ensure that the fair is safe and respectful for all involved.
“Thanks also to the wider coalition of animal welfare organisations and charities, including Redwings, World Horse Welfare, Bransby Horses, the Mare & Foal Sanctuary and Blue Cross, who contribute enormously to the community-led animal-welfare presence at the Fair.
“The ambitious, compassionate, and collaborative approach taken by all of our partners has not only improved welfare outcomes at one of the UK’s most complex animal environments, but also provided a model for progressive reform nationally.”
