The partnership includes representatives from each county / unitary authority, together with other agencies who have committed themselves to working positively with local communities and partnerships to deliver improved services and quality of life in rural towns across the region.

COUNTY PARTNERS
The following counties / unitary authorities each have a networking group to provide support for small rural towns in their area.

The organisations listed under each county are those represented on the networking group.

Each county network group elects a County Representative to sit on the regional partnership

County co-ordinators will also be appointed from April 2004 onwards as the main point of contact for all towns seeking  help and advice.

BERKSHIRE

Rural Town Co-ordinator
Sarah Ward
Community Council for Berkshire
1 Bolton Place
Northbrook Street
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 1AJ

Tel: 016235 523857

Email:  sarah.ward@cawb.org.uk

South East Rural Towns Partnership Representatives:
Elaine Cook
Berkshire Rural Community Council
Epping House
55 Russell Street
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 7XG

Tel: 0118 961 2000
Email: elaine.cook@ccberks.org.uk

Nick Carter, Corporate Director (Strategy and Commissioning)
West Berkshire Council
Market Street
Newbury
Berkshire  RG14 5LD

Tel: 01635 519103
Email:  ncarter@westberks.gov.uk

Caroline Holden, Income Generation Officer
Strategy & Partnerships
Wokingham District Council
PO Box 150
Shute End
Wokingham
Berkshire
RG40 1WQ

Tel:   0118 9746043
Email:  caro.holden@wokingham.gov.uk

Stephen Smyth, Economic Development Officer
West Berkshire Council
Market Street
Newbury
Berkshire  RG14 5LD

Tel:  01635 519449
Email:  ssmyth@westberks.gov.uk

Mayuri Naker, Principal Strategy & Partnerships Officer
Bracknell Forest Borough Council
Easthampstead House
Town Square
Bracknell
Berkshire
RG12 1AQ

Tel:  01344 352164
Email:  mayuri.naker@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Rural Towns Co-ordinator
Malcolm Godwin
Buckinghamshire County Council
County Hall
Walton Street
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP20 1UA

Tel: 01296 382489 (Aylesbury)
Tel: 01908 245249 (Milton Keynes)

Email:  mgodwin@buckscc.gov.uk

Biography

Malcolm Godwin started as the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Rural Towns Co-ordinator at the beginning of February, hence he is still  very much in the honeymoon period getting to know the people and places in the area.   Malcolm will be working from two bases, one in Aylesbury to cover Buckinghamshire and one in Milton Keynes to cover their rural towns.

Malcolm comes to us having recently conducted the successful Healthcheck in Newport Pagnell and is therefore very well placed to advise other towns embarking on their own Healthchecks and then developing their projects.   Prior to this, Malcolm worked in the commercial sector in a variety of Operational, Sales and Marketing roles.

He is also very involved in his home town of Newport Pagnell working with the local Partnership Board and Churches Together in a voluntary capacity.

Bucks & Milton Keynes Rural Towns Network Steering Group:
Bucks Community Action  (Francis Gomme)  01296 421036
Bucks Economic Partnership  (Lynne Cairns) 01296 619210
Bucks County Council  (Pat Ward)  01296 383345
Milton Keynes Council  (Jan Phillips)  01908 252237
Bucks County Council (Malcolm Godwin)  01296 382489 (Aylesbury) 
                                                            01908 245249 (Milton Keynes)

South East Rural Towns Partnership Representatives:
Jan Phillips
Regeneration Co-ordinator
Milton Keynes Council
01908 252237
Jan.phillips@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Pat Ward, Economic Development Team Leader
Buckinghamshire County Council
County Hall
Walton Street
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP20 1UY

Tel: 01296 382157
Email:  pward@buckscc.gov.uk

Malcolm Godwin, Buckinghamshire County Council
County Hall
Walton Street
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP20 1UA

Tel:  01296 382489 (Aylesbury)
Tel:  01908 245249 (Milton Keynes)

Email: mgodwin@buckscc.gov.uk

EAST SUSSEX

East Sussex Rural Towns Network Steering Group:
East Sussex County Council
Wealden District Council
Rother District Council
Lewes District Council
Action in Rural Sussex
Learning and Skills Council

South East Rural Towns Partnership Representatives:
Teresa Gittins
Action in Rural Sussex
Sussex House
212 High Street
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 2NH

Tel:  01273 405442
Email:  Teresa.Gittins@ruralsussex.org.uk

Claire Moran, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer & County Co-ordinator
East Sussex Economic Partnership
County Hall
St Anne's Crescent
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 1UE

Tel:  01273 482335
Email:  Claire.Moran@esep.org

 
Amanda Talbot
Market Towns Officer
Wealden District Council
Pine Grove
Crowborough
EAST SUSSEX

Tel. 01892 602879
Email   amanda.talbot@wealden.gov.uk

Philip Tomalin
Email:  philip.tomalin@eastsussexcc.gov.uk

HAMPSHIRE

Short Biography

Anne Harrison has been Market Towns  Co-ordinator in Hampshire since September 2003, and is based in the Economic Development Office at Hampshire County Council in Winchester.  She has arrived in the role via a convoluted route through teaching and lecturing, the nuclear industry, communications roles in the Church of England and working with parishes, marketing communications and recruitment!   - all of which she thinks has prepared her well for the multitude of situations she meets in her day to day activities.  "Flexibility is a key word in my book", she says.

Anne has spent the last eighteen months becoming familiar with the small rural towns of Hampshire, and meeting with  members of the community who are interested in, or have been carrying out community plans, usually Market Town Healthchecks.  When she is not doing that she enjoys sailing, walking, eating with friends, and is a member of her local church.

Hampshire Rural Towns Network Steering Group:
Community Action Hampshire
Hampshire County Council
Hampshire Economic Partnership
District and Borough Councils with SEEDA remit
Business Link Wessex
Learning and Skills Council
Hampshire Association of Parish and Town Councils
Tourism South East
SERTP Regional Healthcheck Co-ordinator - non-voting
Hampshire Market Towns Co-ordinator - non-voting

South East Rural Towns Partnership Representative:
Mrs Frances Stokes
Business Development Manager
Economic Development Office
Hampshire County Council
The Castle, Winchester
HANTS, SO23 8UJ
Tel: 01962 845767
Fax: 01962 878131
Email: frances.stokes@hants.gov.uk

Mrs Anne Harrison, Market Towns Officer
Economic Development Office
Hampshire County Council
The Castle
Winchester
HANTS  SO23 8UJ

Tel: 01962 845767
Fax: 01962 878131
Email: anne.harrison@hants.gov.uk

ISLE OF WIGHT

County Co-ordinator
Carol Flux
Isle of Wight Economic Partnership
Innovation Centre
St Cross Business Park
Monks Brook
Newport
Isle of Wight
IW PO30 5WB

Email:  carol.flux@iwep.com

Isle of Wight  Rural Towns Network Steering Group:
Isle of Wight Economic Partnership
St Cross Business Park
Monks Brook
Newport, Isle of Wight

South East Rural  Towns Partnership  Representative:
Ms Carol Flux
Isle of Wight Economic Partnership
St Cross Business Park
Monks Brook
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 5WB

Tel:  01983 535819
E-mail: carol.flux@iwep.com

KENT

County Co-ordinator
Sue Beer
Kent Rural Towns
2nd Floor
Invicta House
County Hall
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 1XX

Tel: 01622 221936

Email: sue.beer@kent.gov.uk

Kent  Rural Towns Network Steering Group:
Kent County Council
Medway Council
12 district councils
Kent Rural Community Council
Business Link Kent
Kent town partnerships and councils

Kent  Rural Towns Network Steering Group:
Kent County Council
Medway Council
12 district councils
Kent Rural Community Council
Business Link Kent
Kent town partnerships and councils

OXFORDSHIRE

Oxfordshire Market Towns County Co-ordinator
Brian Spragg
Oxfordshire Market Towns Fund
Oxfordshire Rural Community Council
Jericho Farm
Worton
Witney
Oxfordshire
OX29 4SZ

Tel: 01865 883488
Email:  brian.spragg@oxonrcc.org.uk 

Oxfordshire Rural Towns Network Steering Group:
To be agreed

South East Rural Towns Partnership Representatives:
Jasmine Pandher, Economic Development Officer
Strategic Policy and Economic Development
Oxfordshire County Council
Speedwell House
Oxford
OX1 NE 

Tel: +44 (0)1865 815539
Email:jasmine.pandher@oxfordshire.gov.uk

John Hardwicke, Chief Executive
Oxfordshire Rural Community Council
Jericho Farm
Worton
Witney
Oxfordshire
OX29 4SZ

Tel:  01865 883488
Email:  john.hardwicke@oxonrcc.org.uk

SURREY

Surrey Rural Towns Network Steering Group
Business Link Surrey
Guildford Borough Council
Mole Valley District Council
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
SCAPTC
Surrey Community Action
Surrey County Council
Surrey Economic Partnership
Surrey Heath Borough Council
Surrey Hills AONB
Tandridge District Council
The Surrey CVS Network
Waverley Borough Council

South East Rural Towns Partnership Representatives:
Abby Thomas, Head of Communities Team
Surrey Community Action
Astolat
Coniers Way
Burpham
Guildford
Surrey

Tel:  01483 459292 ext.201
E-mail: abbyt@svsc-astolat.demon.co.uk

Margaret Morton, County Co-ordinator
Surrey Community Action
Astolat
Coniers Way
New Inn Lane
Guildford
Surrey
GU4 7HL

Tel:  01483 459292 ext. 242
Email:   margaretm@surreyca.org.uk

Preetie Bindra, Deputy Head of Economic Development
Room 404
Surrey County Council
County Hall
Kingston-upon-Thames
Surrey   KT1 2DY

Tel:  020 8541 7035
E-mail: preetie.bindra@surreycc.gov.uk

County Coordinator:
Margaret Morton
Surrey Community Action
Astolat
Coniers Way
New Inn Lane
Guildford
Surrey
GU4 7HL

Tel:  01483 459292 ext. 242
Email:   margaretm@surreyca.org.uk

WEST SUSSEX

County Co-ordinator
Mr. Les Ampstead
Co-ordinator for West Sussex
c/o Action in Rural Sussex
2 Masons Way
Pulborough
West Sussex
RH20 1DZ

Tel: 01298 875402
Email: Les.Ampstead@ruralsussex.org.uk

West Sussex  Rural Towns Network Steering Group:
To be agreed

South East Rural Towns Partnership Representatives:
Ana Fajardo, Economic Development Manager
Economic Strategy Group
West Sussex County Council
County Hall
West Street
Chichester
West Sussex
PO19 1RQ

Tel:  01243 777606
Email:  ana.fajardo@westsussex.gov.uk

Les Ampstead, County Co-ordinator
c/o Action in Rural Sussex
2 Masons Way
Pulborough
West Sussex
RH20  1DZ

Tel: 01298 875402
Email:  Les.Ampstead@ruralsussex.org.uk

REGIONAL PARTNERS

The following organisations are represented on the partnership:

Chris Wade, Chief Executive
Action for Market Towns
PO Box 299
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 1UU

Tel:  0845 644 6202
Email:  chris.wade@towns.org.uk

Julian Owen
1 Thread Lane
Dunkirk
Faversham
Kent
ME13 9LD

Tel:  01227 750203
Email:  owen@lineone.net

Teresa Gittins
Action in Rural Sussex
Sussex House
212 High Street
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 2NH

Tel:  01273 405442
Email:  Teresa.Gittins@ruralsussex.org.uk

ACTION FOR MARKET TOWNS

Action for Market Towns is the national membership organisation dedicated to:

• Promote the vitality and viability of small towns
• Support and assist small towns in tackling the challenges they face
• Provide a national focus for action on issues affecting small towns

Contact:
Mr Chris Wade
Chief Executive
PO Box 299
Bury St. Edmunds
SUFFOLK  IP33 1UU
 
Tel: 0845 644 6202
Website: www.towns.org.uk

THE COUNTRYSIDE AGENCY
The Countryside Agency is the statutory body working to make the quality of life better for people in the countryside and the quality of the countryside better for everyone. In the South East we have offices in London and in Maidstone.
The focus of the Countryside Agency's market town's work has been with small rural towns across England.  We are interested in the way that they operate as service centres for the surrounding area and villages as well as for residents within the town. Information about the Market Town Network is available at:
mt.net.countryside.gov.uk

The Market Towns Toolkit has been running to help communities develop in a sustainable way and as a key link in the chain of joining up people, places (town and country) and modernising government. 220 towns across the country have completed or are undertaking a healthcheck. This is the important first step within the Toolkit. The Toolkit is web based and is available free to all towns at www.countryside.gov.uk/market-towns/

Contacts:     
Brian McDonald, Countryside Adviser.
Email: brian.mcdonald@countryside.gov.uk
         
Vicky Westhorp Senior Countryside Adviser.
Email: vwesthorp.gose@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk

Address:
Countryside Agency 
South East Region
Sterling House
7 Ashford Road
Maidstone
Kent ME14 5BJ
Tel: 01622 765222
Fax: 01622 662102
 

ENGLISH HERITAGE  - SOUTH EAST REGION
It is our job at English Heritage to make sure that the historic environment of England is properly maintained and cared for.
By employing some of the country's very best professional expertise in the historic environment, we aim to help people understand and appreciate why the historic buildings and landscapes around them matter. From the first traces of civilisation, to the most significant buildings of the 20th century, we want every important historic site to get the care and attention it deserves.
Our key policies centre upon seeking to unlock the potential of the historic environment through sustainable management of our heritage in partnership with national and local decision makers.

Contact:
Graham Steaggles:  Historic Areas Advisor – Rural Town issues 
Steve Williams: Regional Planner

Address:
English Heritage South East Region
Eastgate Court. 195-205 High Street
Guildford. GU13EH
Tel: 01483 252000
Email: graham.steaggles@english-heritage.org.uk
Fax: Regional 01483 252001
 
Main Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk
 

GOVERNMENT OFFICE FOR THE SOUTH EAST
The Government Office provides representation of a range of Departments within the region  with the aim of devolving policy delivery to a regional level.  As a member of the Rural team (Defra), I represent the Government Office on SERTP but my role in the partnership is as much to feed in and feed back the relevant interests of other GO departments, such as health, housing, transport etc. However as the rural team, our interests are primarily the rural economy and rural communities – which should fit well with the partnerships objectives.

Contact:
David Pryce-Jones
Rural team, Government Office for the South East,
Bridge House,
Guildford GU1 4GA. 
Tel: 01483 882448
Email:  dpryce-jones.gose@go-regions. gsi.gov.uk
Website:  www.go-se.gov.uk
 

TOURISM SOUTH EAST
Tourism South East is the Regional Tourist Board for the South East of
England. The key corporate objectives are:
i) To ensure that the products and services offered by the Region's
tourism industry and the tourism infrastructure of built and natural
assets are of quality and standard to meet and exceed customer
expectations and so ensure a sustainable and profitable future
performance.
ii) To improve the level of understanding of consumer needs and
expectations, and work with others to promote the appropriate  brands
and provide destination information throughout the region.
iii) To provide responsible leadership by consent, and act as a voice
for the tourism industry in order to improve the management and
co-ordination of a complex and dynamic industry.
TSE continues to provide tourism advice and guidance for small rural
towns, aiding towns to develop their strategic direction for tourism
through the Tourism Guidance notes (TSE/CA), mystery visit town
evaluations, workshops and market town benchmarking.

Contact:  
Leanne Marr
Development Officer
Tourism South East,
40 Chamberlayne Road, Eastleigh,
Hampshire, SO50 5JH
Tel: 023 8062 5452
Email: lmarr@tourismse.com
Website: www.tourismsoutheast.com
 

SOUTH EAST ENGLAND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (SEEDA)

SEEDA is the Government funded agency set up in 1999 responsible for the economic and social development of the South East of England - the driving force of the UK's economy.

The economy of the region is the 22nd largest in the world, bigger than several countries including Denmark, Austria, Sweden, South Africa, Singapore and Greece. As home to over eight million people, it is the largest region in the UK - bigger than Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland combined, and covers the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and East and West Sussex.

SEEDA's aim is to create a prosperous, dynamic and inspirational region by helping businesses compete more effectively, training a highly skilled workforce, supporting and enabling our communities, while safeguarding our natural resources and cherishing our rich cultural heritage.

SEEDA aims to be a catalyst for change within the South East, working with partner organisations- businesses, education at all levels, local authorities, Government agencies, voluntary and community organisations and many others - to produce clearly recognisable results.

Contact:
Valerie Carter
Rural Sector Director
SEEDA Headquarters
Cross Lanes
Guildford
SURREY GU1 iYA
Tel: 01483 484200
Email: valeriecarter@seeda.co.uk
 

ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND
Arts Council England is the national development agency for the arts. We provide grants for the arts, including funding from the National Lottery.
The organisation believes that the arts have the power to transform lives, communities and opportunities for people throughout the country.
From 2003 to 2006 their manifesto states that they will:

• Promote the arts at the heart of our national life
• Prioritise individual artists
• Work with funded arts organisations to help them thrive rather than just survive
• Place cultural diversity at the heart of their work
• Prioritise young people and Creative Partnerships
• Maximise growth in the arts

Contact:
Arts Council England, South East
Sovereign House
Church Street
Brighton BN1 18A
Tel: 0845 3006200
Website:  www.artscouncil.org.uk
 

BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY

Business in the Community is a unique movement in the UK of 700 member companies, with a further 1600 participating in our programmes and campaigns. We operate through a network of 98 local business-led partnerships, as well as working with 45 global partners. Our purpose is to inspire, challenge, engage and support business in continually improving its positive impact on society. We are the largest and longest-established organisation of its kind - an independent business-led charity with over 20 years experience.

Membership of Business in the Community is a commitment to action and to the continual improvement of their company's impact on society. Our members commit to:

• Manage, measure and integrate responsible business practice throughout their business
• Impact through collaborative action to tackle disadvantage
• Inspire, innovate, and lead by sharing learning and experience

Contact:
Clive Rayment
Business in the Community
Tel: 07747 627993
Email: clive.rayment@bitc.org.uk
 

SPORT ENGLAND
Sport England is the Government’s lead agency for sports development. The
South East Region of Sport England does offer some grants to organisations to develop sport in the Region, through Lottery and Exchequer funds. However, their more important role is as the strategic lead for sport in Region.
The South East Plan for Sport or ‘Mission: Possible’ makes the strategic case for sport in the Region, and offers practical advice to large and small organisations on how to develop sport. Sport England officers in the Region offer a wide range of practical and strategic advice on sports development.
The Plan makes it clear that Sport England wish to work with a wide range of organisations to develop sport.

In relation to small rural towns, Sport England South East officers will offer advice to any organisation on how sport can be developed in order to achieve a wide range of other agendas. Community cohesion, crime prevention, health and education can all be enhanced through sport.
The rural agenda is highlighted in ‘Mission: Possible’ and Sport England is aware of the particular issues in sports development in small rural towns. They can offer advice on practical solutions that work in this setting.

Contact:
Sport England South East Tel 0118 948 3311.
Specific enquiries will thenbe passed on to Specific Lead Officers.
Website address www.sportengland.org/southeast.
To locate the online version of Mission:
Possible and further information, click on 'GET RESOURCES'.
 

BIG LOTTERY
Big will be better

Big Lottery Fund was created by merging the New Opportunities Fund and the Community Fund. It will hand out half the money for good causes from the National Lottery. This is an exciting opportunity to build on what both funds have achieved so far and to make it easier to apply for Lottery money and see where it goes.
The new body was launched on 1 June 2004 and the new name, Big Lottery Fund, replaces the Funds’ names on all future branding, communications and publications.
During the summer of 2004, Big Lottery will be consulting widely on what their priorities should be, how grants should be allocated, what types of grants should be funded and how to work together to deliver even more effective and efficient Lottery grant making. If you would like to take part in the consultation, please visit the launch website (www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/consultation) to fill in the online form or call the Big advice line on 08454 10 20 30 to request a hard copy. The consultation period runs until 30 September.

Contact:
Sandra Lamont
Development & communications manager
Tel: 01483 462924
E-mail: Sandra.Lamont@Biglotteryfund.org.uk

British Telecom
Since November 2002, BT has helped establish 52 broadband partnerships across the UK, working with local stakeholders to help SMEs harness the benefits of ICT. An example of this can be seen Welcome to the Cornwall actnow website.
As a partner, BT can offer support and advice on the advantages of ICT, and provide a full range of SME ICT business solutions at BT Business Broadband.
Small start up business’s can establish professional online presence, whilst established businesses can grow by trading on line.
 
ICT Case Studies
Adoption of ICT has enabled Cutting Edge Mowers to expand Broadband Britain.

Karate Kids sets up her own business Broadband Britain.

ICT has transformed a traditional hotel business Broadband Britain.

For further information on how to access ICT support and advice for your market town contact Peter Cowen at peter.r.cowen@bt.com

The Chair of this Partnership is Jeremy Leggett Tel 01273 473422
e-mail: jeremy.leggett@ruralsussex.org.uk

This web site is managed by Action for Market Towns