The High Streets Task Force (HSTF) has announced the next 68 local authorities to receive expert advice and support to transform towns and cities in England, as the government publishes its flagship Levelling Up White Paper
The High Streets Task Force (HSTF) has announced that a further 68 local authorities will receive expert advice and support to deliver long-term transformation to towns and cities in England.
Each local authority will put forward a high street or urban centre that could benefit from tailored help to address local challenges and develop strategies for positive change. The Task Force will then provide these locations with expert consultancy and training.
The Landscape Institute (LI) is one of four professional bodies participating in the HSTF. Through an Experts Register, the Task Force brings together professionals across a broad range of specialisms to help local governments engage with communities and businesses, evolve their town centres, progress local plans, bid for investment, and more.
Support for the selected local authorities will begin in summer 2022, beginning with an ‘Unlocking your Place Potential’ visit. Visits will continue until mid-2024.
‘Over the last two years, the Task Force has witnessed the resilience of high streets and the diversity of their communities,’ said HSTF Chair Mark Robinson. ‘We’ve engaged over 4,000 placemakers so far and I’m delighted we’ll be supporting a further 68 local authorities to consider their own ambitious plans for recovery and long-term growth.
‘We know from our work that high streets thrive when businesses, councils, and community champions work together. The Task Force aims to provide that impetus to partnerships and to help them learn quickly from other local success stories.’
Read the full announcement at www.highstreetstaskforce.org.uk.
Levelling Up White Paper
The announcement also came as part of the government’s Levelling Up White Paper, which the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) published today.
It is a massive document covering a wide breadth of policy areas, among them urban regeneration, green space, and communities. The LI will publish an initial reaction to the White Paper in the coming days.
