Small Towns for Tomorrow
Policy forum exploring the future of small towns
AMT’s Big Lottery Fund grant and Communities and Local Government’s (CLG) Empowerment Fund have enabled the establishment of a policy forum focussing specifically on the needs of small towns across England.
The Policy Forum was instigated by the late Professor Ray Pahl, who was keen to raise the profile of what he called ‘the forgotten fifth’, the significant number of people living in small towns across England.
Small Towns for Tomorrow is now chaired by Gerald Milward-Oliver, who has a long interest in the future role of small towns, in his current role as Chief Exeuctive of the Bradford on Avon Development Trust and Principal at Changing Towns. The group is completely voluntary and has recently launched its website:
- Visit the Small Towns for Tomorrow Website
The group is currently scoping out potential for a research-based project into the impacts of climate change on small towns. In the meantime, we have published the following essays:
- Download “Small towns. Big societies.” {opens pdf}
- Download “Small towns of the future, not the past” {opens pdf}
Small Towns for Tomorrow was launched on 8 July 2010 with a conference exploring the future of small towns.
- Read the Conference Summary
About Small Towns for Tomorrow
Almost 11 million people live in about 1600 market towns and larger villages across rural areas in England – over 20% of the English population.
The forum’s objective is to develop and promote a greater understanding of issues facing market/small towns across the UK. It seeks to undertake open-minded dialogue on work of medium and long-term interest, with a view to contributing to research, sharing best practice, data and information, increasing knowledge and expanding income opportunities.
It works with key agencies and opinion formers to input into the national, regional and sub-regional policy-making process as an informed, unbiased voice on market town issues. Equally it informs media professionals and education professionals in all matters relating to market towns.
The forum will encourage discussion through the Small Towns for Tomorrow LinkedIn group, and also commits to undertake seminars and policy programmes as necessary. Small Towns for Tomorrow held its first meeting on 19 June in Birmingham.
Why do we need a policy forum?
There is currently no agreed government method for statistically separating market towns from other urban areas. Under current rural/urban definitions, settlements with over 10,000 population – which includes many larger market towns such as Chard, Ilfracombe, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Ilkley – are classified as ‘urban’.
This means it is less likely for trends in market towns to be captured – and more likely that their special needs are overlooked. We want to change this.
You may also find it useful to read A Market Town Renaissance: The Next Ten Years, prepared by Chris Wade (chief executive of AMT) which explores the future for market towns.
Get involved
To find out more about getting involved with Small Towns for Tomorrow please contact AMT’s Policy Manager, Alison Eardley at Alison.eardley@towns.org.uk
