Principles met

  • We will explore ways for councils to act as a platform for helping the community to contribute to local outcomes, and to re-think the role of councillors as community connectors, brokers and leaders.
  • We will promote community-based approaches to economic development that focus on supporting the creation of jobs, social enterprises and other businesses and providing an environment for co-operative and mutual enterprises to thrive.
  • We will embrace innovation in how we work with local communities to drive positive change.
  • We will support the development of a framework and criteria for social value, giving substance to the concept and supporting Councils with the tools to ensure better local social and economic outcomes.
  • As a membership organisation, we will make this statement of our principles operational by: • Co-operation among members: Our members work together to help each other implement our values, sharing experiences and learning. • Openness of membership: Full, Associate and Affiliate Membership is open to any qualifying Council, organisation or individual who shares our values and is committed to putting them into action. • Co-production of the Network’s work: Members help shape the Network’s work programme and the content of events and written products. • Action-focused: The network is a vehicle for helping councils translate co-operative values and principles into policy and practice. •Membership-based: The network is majority funded by modest membership subscriptions from its member Councils, Associates and Affiliates. •Non-party-political: Members share the belief that working co-operatively within and across communities holds the key to tackling today’s challenges.

Public realm enhancements are often perceived to be the responsibility of Regeneration teams within larger local authorities. In February 2025, Biddulph Town Council set about achieving an innovative vision, which was new territory for our partners and us. 

Biddulph Town Council and stakeholders worked together to create a Neighbourhood Plan and a Neighbourhood Development Order, both adopted in January 2024. As part of this work, the Town Council commissioned a Town Centre Masterplan, which said, ‘Provision of a public square fronting Biddulph Town Hall would provide a place for interaction and community involvement. A pedestrian-friendly environment would further enhance the Town Centre experience.’ Biddulph is a linear town experiencing difficulties other towns face, including declining footfall and struggling independent traders. We felt there was a need to re-imagine the town centre, before the remaining sense of community pride was lost.

Town Hall frontage Spring 2026

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