The Small Towns Group was established in 2005 following a conference held in 2004 by the South of Scotland Alliance on 'Small Towns under Threat'. The Group is open to any local authority which has responsibility for a small town in its area, has regular attendance by 20 local authorities from across Scotland and is supported by COSLA.
The Group gathered evidence to:
- Highlight the issues and challenges facing Scotland's small towns.
- Make the case to the then Scottish Executive for a small towns review.
- Bring forward, share and promote good-practice case studies on the development and regeneration of small towns.
The Group published the Scottish Small Towns Report 2007-2013 in August 2006.
In 2009, the Group published further research, 'Making Towns Count' to update its future work programme. This paper seeks to continue the conversation commenced in 2005 with Scottish Government to better recognise the role, needs and potential of small towns to the nation. It seeks to facilitate a policy response for greater support and practical, urgent action for small towns and their town centres.
Further information on the Small Towns Group activities.
Current participation in the Small Towns Group
Local Authorities
- Aberdeenshire
- Argyll and Bute
- Angus
- Clackmannanshire
- CNE-SIAR
- Dumfries & Galloway
- East Lothian
- East Renfrewshire
- Fife
- Highland
- Midlothian
- Moray
- Orkney
- Perth and Kinross
- Renfrewshire
- Scottish Borders
- South Ayrshire
- South Lanarkshire
- West Lothian
Other Organisations
- COSLA
- South of Scotland Alliance