Market towns

Chair: Cate Hammond
Members: Cllr Simon Cooke, Brigid Kane, Michael Noble, Cllr Caroline Seymour, Mary Wright

YHA’s fifth scrutiny report looked at how investment in market towns supports the RES, and whether - as well being popular places to live and visit - these towns are attracting jobs and investment.

While the panel supported Yorkshire Forward’s strategic approach to the regeneration of market towns and its commitment to bringing about sustainable economic prosperity, it also made a number of recommendations, including:

• more clarity in how action plans are developed, and projects implemented and funded; and
• programmes should specifically address the rural context of market towns.

The initial response included a greater focus on using existing partnerships for developing activity where possible; a series of seminars addressing the need to align programmes for market towns and their hinterlands; and how agencies can work together more effectively.