Economy The recruitment squeeze ahead
NewsApril 2nd, 2024
Lessons for transforming places in Wales and how they must benefit local residents
Towns are a fundamental part of life in Wales. A third of the total population live in places with a population under 70,000. But these towns are also some of the most deprived in the United Kingdom with the south Wales valleys having eight out of ten of the most deprived towns in Wales.
This paper outlines five examples of places across the United Kingdom that have ‘transformed’ themselves and responded to local challenges, taken a new direction or managed to change their fortunes. It looks at whether these changes can offer lessons for communities in Wales to push for the same. The towns are:
- Hebden Bridge
- Cardigan
- West Kilbride
- Irlam
- Frome
The report explores how these places have halted or slowed economic decline through a number of different ways: bottom up community action, encouragement of self-sustaining businesses, building on a unique USP as a platform for change, or even took control of a local council to push through radical reforms.
However the report argues that the important lesson to take from these examples is the power of the local community in being actors in the positive changes and that any regeneration of places in Wales must ensure that the local population see direct benefits.
Pages: 15
Format: PDF
Language: English
