Influencing policy towards small towns:

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Influencing policy towards small towns
nationally, regionally and locally Alison
Eardley Policy Manager Action for Market Towns
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The Context some key challenges

• Over 20 of Englands population live in small
  towns, yet
• 120 rise in unemployment compared to 90 average
• Up to 25 growth on existing housing provision
  expected
• Public sector spending cuts impacting on local
  services
• Rural wages 20,895 compared to 25,550 national
  average
• AMT campaigns for issues that our members and our
  research tell us is important, so that we can
  raise the profile of market towns on the
  political agenda

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Towns Alive Programme
Knowledge Hub (Policy)
5 years
Towns Alive
Towns-4-Towns (best practice)
Market Towns Academy (Training)
National Voice (media)
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Knowledge Hub Key elements

• Strategic Information Service
• Small Towns for Tomorrow
• Strategy Bulletins
• Policy Campaigns

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AMT Policy Campaign Areas

• Prosperous Places
• Community Led Planning

• Affordable Housing
• Rural Services
• Policy Snapshots

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Towns Alive Programme
Policy Campaign Area
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The Policy Position Statement

• Bringing together expert knowledge and opinions
• Undertaking a program of research into key areas
• Collating and evaluating real case studies
• Producing a policy position statement agreed by
  AMT board and members
• AMT to be an authoritative voice
• on market towns issues

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From Policy to Practical Support

• Policy into Practice Papers intelligence,
  guidance and real-life examples as a tool for
  market town partnerships
• Targeted training
• Online knowledge exchange
• News and information bulletins
• AMT to be a practical supporter of market town
  partnerships

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The Campaign Plan

• Influencing government and other groups integral
  to political process
• Working in partnership with other organisations
  having a similar interest
• Running events on market towns issues for the
  movers and shakers involved in policy making
• Seizing media coverage
• AMT to be a strategic leader for market towns

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An example Community Led Planning

• 3 year contract with Communities and Local
  Government
• Project exploring how CLP works in the new
  unitary areas
• Finalising the Town Action Planning approach to
  CLP
• Initiated national consortium with ACRE, Urban
  Forum, NALC and Community Matters

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We need you!

• Become a Policy Advocate
• Get involved in the policy making process
• Share your experience and expertise
• Receive enhanced networking opportunities
• Have you chance to influence Government policy
• Contact Alison Eardley
• Alison.Eardley_at_towns.org.uk