Action for Market Towns joined with the Rural Services Network for its National Convention 2009 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Over 200 people attended the Convention whose theme ‘Beyond the Recession’ involved plenary and workshop sessions on practical steps to help towns survive the recession and prepare for the upturn, as well as study tours of projects in Melton Mowbray.

Plenary and workshop presentations will be progressively added to this page. Click on the links below.

The AMT Convention in pictures

PLENARY SESSIONS

Beyond the recession -setting the scene by Chris Wade, Chief Executive of Action for Market Towns

Chris Wade’s presentation

Chris Wade’s speaker’s notes

A typology of ’secondary centres’ in the East Midlands by Liz Price, University of Lincoln

Influencing policy towards small towns: nationally, regionally and locally by Alison Eardley, Policy Manager, Action for Market Towns

Sustainability in rural areas and market towns by Leslie Watson, Director, Sustainability South West

WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS

Vulnerable rural communities and sustainability

Presentation by Carlene Golightly

Workshop notes

The challenge of delivering rural services

West Devon Connect by Darren Cole, Customer Services Manager, West Devon Borough Council

Workshop notes

Affordable housing

Workshop notes

Transforming towns through culture and sport

Workshop notes

Going Green – Transition Towns

Presentation by Andrew Reeves and Doug Golding

Delivering the Rural Development Programme for England

Presentation by Sophie Fraenkel –RDPE Network, Melanie Fischer –emda and Amanda Brown –DDEP

Sustaining Town Partnerships

Presentation by Sally Williams, Market Towns Academy National Training Manager

Supporting local business, economic and skills development

Presentation by Mike King, amt-i

Presentation on loyalty schemes by Steve Wyllie, Managing Director SAVVY UK

Workshop notes