This case study reviews the process of creating talented town teams over four years in six Pembrokeshire communities led by Pembrokeshire County Council.
In 2012 Pembrokeshire County Council conducted a review of its town centres, focusing on: issues and challenges; impacts of council services; opportunities for regeneration and potential for improvement. Moving away from conventional approaches to retail and property-led intervention was seen as key with the need to work towards a mixture of uses through creating suitably talented town teams, multi-sector working and the development of strategic plans.
Capital funding
The response was that town teams were created in each of the six towns in the summer of 2013, comprising of members including the town council, chamber of commerce and County Council, in addition to community representation. A capital fund of £750,000 was made available for the towns to bid into alongside county-led projects such as town centre WIFI and branding.
Added value
The County Council financial contribution of £750,000 levered in £913,855 through match funding. The funding has enabled a wide range of projects which wouldn’t have happened without this focus and targeted allocation. Analysis of funding also shows where town centres have a long-term vision and plan, there is a greater likelihood of external funding being levered in.
Some town teams have established a platform for future investment through enhanced identities, marketing and promotion and physical capital works. Accompanying masterplans will also provide the opportunity to build on the people-based foundations of the town teams and find ways of partnering and unlocking assets.
F-factors for success
This case study uses the the F-Factors Framework for assessing the process of creating talented town teams adopted in Local Government Associations’s revitalising town centres handbook. It provides transferable lessons about the evolving function and organisational form in different towns and how the future foundations, ‘folk’ and finances need to be tailored to local needs. ‘Forward frameworks’ are advocated as the way for individual town teams to direct their future development through a delivery-focused action plan and an organisational business plan.
More information
Download an illustrated copy of Creating talented town teams in Pembrokeshire (summary report).
Read more about People & Places’ Specialities including Creating Talented Town Teams.
This case study is one of a series prepared by People & Places as part of the Local Government Association’s Revitalising Town Centres Handbook
Read more about governance and influence as part of the accompanying LGA revitalising town centres toolkit including a more detailed version of this case study on creating talented town teams in Pembrokeshire.
