Market Towns & Rural Regeneration
Market towns and the rural areas are undergoing major changes. Jobs are being lost in farming and other industries, shopping centres are under threat from larger centres due to an increase in commuting to access services and employment. There is a growing shortage of affordable housing. This, and lack of job opportunities, is leading to an exodus of young people, who are replaced by retirees anxious to preserve the rural environment. Communities run the risk of economic decline unless remedial action is taken.
Our expertise encompasses:
Producing a Town Strategy: We can help create partnerships of local residents, businesses and local authorities to devise a regeneration strategy. We can help to produce one for your community. It needs to be realistic about what is achievable. Actions need to be costed and prioritised and a timetable for implementation developed.
Shaping LEADER Programmes: The LEADER programme is a major source of money for rural communities. Too often insufficient thought is given to sustainability, leading to project collapse when LEADER funding ceases. We have evaluated LEADER programmes and can advise on the best ways of ensuring long term impact.
Project Partnerships: Many rural communities need to form partnerships with the private sector and other public bodies to make projects viable. This can include premises sharing in order to maximise income streams. An audit of the assets the town possesses could identify those surplus to requirements and those which could be used as collateral to bring in external finance.
Local Service Delivery: One way of enhancing the local environment is for the town or community council to take over the running of local services such as ground maintenance, street cleansing and the management of local facilities such as sports halls and meeting venues. This ensures that the work carried out reflects community wishes and priorities.
Promoting Social Enterprise: Social enterprises enable the local community to deliver local services, which would not otherwise be available. At the same time they create jobs for local people. They could include running a local visitor attraction or provide much needed local transport or care services.
Contact Us
Utilise our experience to help you achieve your objectives. Call us today on 01384 259308 or email info@geonomics.co.uk. Alternatively please use our Contact Form
Geonomics Ltd, 105 Liberty Place, 26-38 Sheepcote Street, Birmingham B16 8JT. Company Registration Number 6297158.