The Panel of Brilliant People
who are going to make a difference: the story so far
Kate Willard, OBE
It is difficult to believe but we have already passed the halfway point of ‘The panel of brilliant people who are going to make a difference’.
The panel has been doing a fantastic job in working to promote and highlight the ambitions of your Towns and encourage their future growth.
Over the last few months, our panellists have been busy working together to create an action plan that will be presented to government in November and will showcase what they have learned.
The action plan
Panellists have been exchanging and sharing their ideas on equality, diversity, inclusion and sustainable growth, while also observing and gathering their feedback on the Towns Fund programme and the lessons they have learned from taking part so far.
What has been discussed
There has been lively debate about:
The individuality and unique characteristics and culture of each and every Town – and how highly this is valued and cherished
The true meaning of ‘good, green growth’ and the principles that should guide it
How diversity and the sharing of perspectives from people across our communities brings insight, togetherness and value to our Towns that cannot be replicated in other ways
The panel itself reflects a diversity of backgrounds and viewpoints from across England.
Panellists are due to present their research and recommendations in more detail at a presentation to Ministers, officials and other dignitaries at Westminster in November. This will be a collective interpretation of what is most important to each panellist in meeting the aspirations of their Towns and local areas.
We are excited to be sharing our panel’s findings later on in the year and what it has meant to them to take part. Until then, if you have not reached out to your panellists already, please do as for many of them, building their connections is also part of their learning journey.
Kate Willard, OBE
Panel Chair