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Principles met

  • Co-production

    We will develop systems that enable citizens to be equal partners in designing and commissioning public services and in determining the use of public resources.

  • Community leadership and a new role for councillors

    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.

  • Maximising social value

    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.

  • New models of meeting priority needs

    In exploring new ways of meeting the priority needs of our communities we will encourage models, such as co-operatives and mutuals, which give greater influence and voice to staff and users. in designing and commissioning public services and in determining the use of public resources.

Tamworth Borough Council created We Are Tamworth in response to increasing community tensions after unrest in 2024 and a recognised need to rebuild trust, belonging, and connection. 

Instead of relying on traditional top‑down methods, the council decided to adopt a different approach – listening first and working in equal partnership with local people.

Listening first

The work started with Honest Conversations, organised through the Belong Network and held in community venues, schools, and faith settings. Residents were encouraged to speak openly about their experiences of living in Tamworth, what mattered to them, and what needed to change. These conversations directly influenced the priorities and delivery approach of the We Are Tamworth Building Better Communties strategy. 

Community‑led action

We Are Tamworth is a living way of working, not just a strategy document. Communities are supported to lead projects, with the council acting as an enabler rather than the owner.

Kaleidoscope of Dreams Festival

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