DROITWICH could be set to have its own Town Team in a bid to steer the future of major development in the town.

The idea was introduced at a Droitwich Town Council meeting by Janet Yates who has a history of active involvement in large scale events in Droitwich through her role as Droitwich Spa area partnership manager for Wychavon District Council.

She said that what the town needed was a clear vision of where it wanted to get to, and clear planning and management to get there, adding: “There’s lots of great groups, lots of people doing things, but we don’t seem to have that shared focus. A Town Team would give us the opportunity to move forward together. It enables people to come together to discuss areas of interest and improve access to funding.”

Viv Hudson-Findlay, managing director of Droitwich-based company Hotelshop UK added: “In order for me to attract better people to come and live and work in Droitwich I need to make it a place they want to live. We’ve got some fabulous opportunities with the canal, with the spa, with the people, especially within the town. This gives us an opportunity to really go for it

over and above what other people are doing in the UK.”

The idea for Town Teams comes from the 2011 Portas Review when Mary Portas recommended communities form a 'visionary, strategic and strong operational management team for high streets'.

The team would work with businesses, organisations and local councils in Droitwich to attempt to make the most of the town’s strengths, and ideally form a stronger voice to put ideas forward.

However, while the idea of the Town Team is still very much in its infancy with only small scale meetings of particular focus groups organised, it has already managed to ruffle feathers in the council.

Councillor Pam Davey had concerns over the structure and organisation of the Town Team. She said: “I think when you’re in the private sector you have ideas, you make them happen, and you’re answerable to yourself. Unfortunately we’re answerable to the public for public money. If Janet had come along and said there won’t be any public money involved, we could sit on the side lines and say ‘what a great idea’. We’re very keen, but there’s a big difference between the private scheme and the public cost.”

Councillor Tom Noyes was concerned that local businesses might not all be on board with the idea. He said: “I’m going to support this with everything I can give, but I think this is going to be one hell of a huge problem as far as business and the way forward in town.”

Councillor Glenis Noyes, was more dubious, she added: “I honestly cannot see where this has come from, I’m very sorry but I think it’s a QUANGO.”

The council has agreed to keep a watching brief on the development of the Town Team, monitoring it as it develops.