Meghan Gallacher MSP has been reelected as convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Towns and Town Centres.
The Conservative, who represents the Central Scotland region, was appointed for a second year at the group’s Annual General Meeting, held at Holyrood.
Labour’s Katy Clark, an MSP for West Scotland, was reappointed as deputy convener.
Welcoming attendees to the meeting, Ms Gallacher reflected on the recent Scotland Loves Local Week and said: “It was excellent to see so many MSPs out and about in their areas, promoting and supporting local businesses – making sure that we are talking up towns and town centres.
“There is, of course, so much more work to do when it comes to looking at our towns and town centres.”
This year’s AGM marked a first for the CPG as its inaugural hybrid meeting, with some gathering in The Smith Room at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and others joining online from across the country. Since the coronavirus pandemic, CPG meetings have – until now – been held virtually only.
Away from the official business, the theme of the meeting was ‘Creating Inclusive and Accessible Towns and Places – Why?’.
And there was certainly plenty of food for thought on the subject provided by the two key speakers, Irene Beautyman Place and Wellbeing Partnership Lead at the Improvement Service and Public Health Scotland, and Sustrans Scotland’s Head of Engagement Chiquita Elvin.
They discussed the importance of investing in accessibility, what makes a place accessible and the benefits for business, along with the challenges and solutions around pedestrianisation.
Interesting insights on the issues prompted good discussion from attendees, with questions including those from Central Scotland Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr.
You will be able to watch the full video on the CPG page on our website by clicking here.
The CPG on towns is administered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership as part of its work to highlight best practice, stimulate discussion, offer insight and champion the critical importance of towns and town centres to both regional economies and the Scottish national economy.
Its aim is to help towns and town centres through continued challenging economic times to help them emerge from them stronger, smarter, cleaner, healthier and greener.
The group – which attracts a wide range of participants from across public, private and third sector organisations – all with a part to play… in placemaking throughout Scotland – discusses ways in which towns and town centres can work towards sustainable economic growth through greater vibrancy and vitality.
It is a useful forum for politicians to hear first-hand about both issues and innovations from across the country.
For more information about how to become involved with the CPG, please email alison@scotlandstowns.org.
