A management consultant has been appointed Rawtenstall’s Town Board Chairperson by the borough council.

Iain Taylor, managing director of Crawshawbooth-based IMT Consulting, will now work with the council to create a Town Board for Rawtenstall and its immediate surrounding area after it was selected by the Government to receive £20m over the next 10 years.

The Town Board will be made up of local community leaders, business owners, social enterprise representatives, councillors, council officers, the town’s MP and a representative of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Married with two children, Iain is also chair of the Whitaker Museum and director of Rossendale Leisure Trust.

Iain said: “I am delighted, honoured and excited for the future.  The Town’s Board has the capability, responsibility and resources to set an exciting and ambitious plan for Rawtenstall and surrounding area and develop a fantastic programme of investments delivered over the long term to help make Rawtenstall and Rossendale an even better place to live, work and visit.

“I share the passion and affection many people have for Rawtenstall and the wider area.  

"The sense of community is strong, vibrant and proud – the support, energy and time people give to help make the place a success is clear and abundant – whether it be the market, the Whitaker, the Civic Pride, the heritage railway, or the service in the cafes and restaurants. There is a fantastic community dedicated to making the place the best it can be.
 
“Rawtenstall enjoys a privileged position relative to Manchester and we need to maximise this with improved transport connections but also show that Rossendale is a viable location to develop a business and to attract entrepreneurs.”

Leader of Rossendale Borough Council Alyson Barnes, said: “Our Town Board will drive the priorities for investment, take on responsibilities for making change, and steer the long-term vision for the Rawtenstall and the immediate surrounding area hand-in-hand with local people.

“A submission of the Long-Term Investment Plan must be in place by the beginning of November to release some of the funding.”

Iain added: “I’m very interested to hear from local people what their ideas are and I hope early in the planning phase we can open up to understand what their views are so that the plan is anchored in the values, ideas and ambitions of local people.”