The South East Rural Towns Partnership (SERTP) has voted to maintain an active network of towns throughout its nine member counties across the South of England. At the meeting, held at Billingshurst, West Sussex, Caterham resident, Chris Windridge, was voted Acting Chair, with Patrick Perks Deputy Chair and Secretary.

Chris said: "The network helps communities learn from each other, track policies and opportunities, and prosper. Over the last 12 years SERTP has helped create a network of towns, with local county coordinators helping to identify, start up, fund and implement projects and town partnerships. Funding of £7 million from SEEDA, together with partner funding of a further £10 million was channeled into projects within member towns. Almost all the SERTP towns have voluntary or community groups of varying types, who continue to be engaged in all manner of projects to benefit their individual towns.

"We are holding early discussions to explore how best to continue to provide a low cost membership network. We're going to look at other sources of funding following the closure of the South East of England Development Agency and cuts in county council resources, and are keen to hear from people who can commit to an active role as the partnership moves forward.

"The legacy of the SRT programme is that there are many community partnerships established in their locality which can help create new ideas and ventures. We will take stock of changes through the Localism Act, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and tougher economic conditions. However new ways to keep in touch with those who are interested in their towns and similar places are now very feasible and we shall look at ways to adapt to that," continued Chris.

The ambitious SRT programme produced some spectacular successes and ranked as one of the most successful rural programmes ever run in the South East. Many of the initiatives featured in SERTP's brochures and on its website www.setowns.org.uk along with case studies and other topical information, also distributed via a monthly e-bulletin sent to more than 400 subscribers.

The majority of SERTP's rural towns have strengths to build upon. SERTP will continue to support the Action for Market Towns (AMT) Market Town Awards programme , having enjoyed regional and national success with projects. Active collaboration will continue with AMT, helping to spread ideas and initiatives across the country

Most recently, SERTP has tackled issues including rural broadband provision and the Portas Review, seeking input on what is needed to help High Streets adapt and create rural town sustainability. Several member towns are among a group know as "Front Runners", who will develop local Neighbourhood Plans, under the Government's new Localism Act.

Some project successes

Amongst projects brought to fruition with SRT funding and highly valued in their different communities are:

• The Shabby to Smart project in Caterham, which involved an overall programme of clearing and cleaning up the town and complemented the town's loyalty scheme.

• Exploiting Wallingford's History, a project which aims to boost the visitor economy while encouraging more local people to use their town.

• The Princes Risborough Community Bus, which caters for residents in Princes Risborough and adjacent villages for whom access to shops, leisure and medical facilities is difficult.