Boost for Alton as town council and EHDC strike up new way of working

Alton Town Council and East Hampshire District Council will be working in a new way to enhance the town.

Looking to benefit from a closer working relationship, the two councils have agreed to explore new ways of developing the town’s economic prospects, its infrastructure, investment and promotion.

Using expertise gathered through the redevelopment of Whitehill & Bordon the new strategy will focus on ‘place-making’.

Councillors and officers will work together to analyse what the town needs and how it can be delivered. Investment from external sources, such as the Local Enterprise Partnership will be sought.

This will see the town being given additional support from a team of officers at EHDC working to build on the success of Julie McLatch, who currently heads the project. Julie will move into a different economic development role covering the whole of the district.

Cllr Matthew Bayliss, Leader of Alton Town Council, said: “Both councils are looking forward to working together on this exciting new phase of the programme which will see Alton draw on expertise offered from a range of officers and senior councillors from East Hampshire District Council.

“The town council will also continue its work on developing its tourism and marketing strategy which will look to build on recent successes in promoting the town to visitors to help the local economy.”

Cllr Ferris Cowper, Portfolio Holder for Whitehill & Bordon, said: “The success of Whitehill & Bordon has placed EHDC in a unique position of having national standard expertise in developing and enhancing towns.

“It is our view that we can use these skills across the district to improve infrastructure and nurture our local economies.

“The district council is looking forward to working closely with Alton Town Council, the leading Alton community groups and all Altonians in this exciting new venture.”