| The EMRAF Market Towns Subgroup, supported by emda, was established in 2006 to promote the economic viability of traditional market towns, whose role is vital in protecting and sustaining both services and facilities to the surrounding rural areas. The EMRAF Community Safety Subgroup was established in 2003 to promote the community safety in rural areas and to influence and inform the review and delivery of relevant national and regional community safety strategies, policies and action plans.
 Both Subgroups have now merged and evolved into the Thriving Rural Economy Subgroup, to keep in line with the priorities stated in the East Midlands Rural Action Plan. The aim of this group is to be the regional champion of market towns and community safety, to support the development of and improve the vitality of towns as hubs, providing a wide range of services and employment opportunities for rural areas.
The Chairing of the subgroup is shared between Brian Montgomery from the CPRE and Bob Scott from Leicestershire Police and Vice Chair is Ian Lings from Lincolnshire County Council. The membership is drawn from a wide range of sectors, all with a common interest in market towns and community safety, including Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Police Forces, CPRE, Local Authorities, Rural Community Councils, Town Centre Mangers, Country Land & Business Association, Welland SSP, Federation of Small Businesses, Action for Market Towns, Natural England and East Midlands Development Agency.
Subgroup meetings take place quarterly throughout the year and are held at various venues throughout the region, hosted by volunteering subgroup member organisations. The meetings are usually themed and after the meeting the host organisation provide a walking tour of their particular market town to showcase best practice and new initiatives.
To enquire about becoming a member of the subgroup please contact us. |