A SURF seminar on Small Town Regeneration

Venue

CoSLA Conference Centre, Haymarket, Edinburgh

Date

Tuesday 15th May 2007

Context

• Much of the regeneration debate, policy and resource allocation of recent years has been focused on the cities and their surrounding areas of concentrated disadvantage.

• Small towns (of up to 20k population) are where 30% of Scotland’s people live. 

• In 2004 and 2005 SURF highlighted the case for more attention on the regeneration needs of Scotland’s small towns with a series of 3 articles in its Scotregen journal.

• Towards the end of 2006 Scottish Borders Council, in co-operation with CoSLA, produced a substantial report calling for dedicated policy and resource support for Scotland’s small towns.

Purpose of this seminar

• To learn more of new approaches for supporting small town regeneration in differing contexts.

• To highlight the potential for linking local skills, knowledge and expertise in an invigorated local Community Planning approach.

• To consider specific funding proposals to the development of small towns as models of sustainability.

• To make the case for more vigorous local democracy through community specific social, economic and environmental ‘health-checks’

• To inform policy and resources considerations for regenerating Scotland’s small towns.

• To help re-engage national regeneration organisations and strategies with local communities.

Format

• A short-day seminar from 10am to 3.30pm.

• Brief presentations from relevant key speakers followed by discussion groups

• A plenary panel session to summarise key points and form recommendations for consideration by relevant policy makers.

Key speakers

• Ian Lindley, Director of Planning and Economic Development at Scottish Borders Council – Scottish Small Towns report

• Kirsten Francis, One North East Regional Development Agency - an English regional approach

• Brian MacDonald, Irvine Bay Urban Regeneration Company – a concerted effort

Open Discussion Panel Session

Discussion on policy and practice. Panel representatives:

• Laura McIvor – Scottish Executive

• Euan Dobson – Scottish Enterprise

• Ian Mitchell – Communities Scotland

• Ian Lindley –  Scottish Borders Council

• Jon Harris - CoSLA

• Brian MacDonald – Irvine Bay URC

• Kirsten Francis- One NorthEast

Reflecting on inputs and producing recommendations for enhancing future policy and action.

Programme

10.00  Registration and coffee

10.30  Welcome and introductions

10.45  The main messages of the Small Towns report – Ian Lindley – Director of Planning and Economic Development at Scottish Borders Council

11.15  The English regional approach – Kirsten Francis, One NorthEast

11.45  Coffee

12.00  Brian MacDonald – Irvine Bay URC

12.30  Lunch

1.15  Policy and Practice Panel – Speakers and reps from CoSLA, The Scottish Executive, Scottish Enterprise and Communities Scotland.

2.15  Discussion towards policy proposals

3.00  Feedback and Summary

3.30  Thanks and end of the event

Fees

£120.00 (ex VAT) for non-members of SURF

£80.00 (ex VAT) for members of SURF (33% discount)

A further 10% discount is available to members of EDAS.

How to book 

To book your place please complete the online registration form by clicking the link below. Alternatively, contact Derek at SURF.