NALC study tour spotlights how Taunton Town Council built a modern council in 1,000 days

Our study tour at Taunton Town Council in Somerset brought together council representatives from across the country for a two-day programme exploring how the newly formed council has built capacity, delivered services, and strengthened community connections during its first 1,000 days.

Structured around five key milestones: understanding community needs, delivering strategies and initiatives, making investment count, transforming parks and open spaces, and building a team that delivers. The tour provided practical insight into how the council has developed into a modern, community-focused authority in a relatively short period.

Attendees heard how the council works closely with residents and local organisations to identify priorities and shape services, including engagement with young people through initiatives such as the Citizens UK Safety Measures Project.

The tour also showcased a series of projects and partnerships that have helped define the council's approach. These included the Taunton Together Festival, an annual celebration of diversity, arts, culture, and community, and the council's achievement of Town of Sanctuary status, reflecting its commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive place for people seeking sanctuary from conflict, persecution, or fear for personal safety.

Attendees explored how the council is investing in public spaces and environmental quality, including the management of its three Green Flag parks, Comeytrowe, French Weir, and Victoria Park, alongside wider work to improve open spaces across the town.

The tour highlighted several of the council's wider priorities and initiatives, including its Arts and Culture Strategy, Climate and Ecological Emergency Plan, anti-social behaviour measures, CCTV investment, street marshals, and targeted engagement with hard-to-reach groups.

Attendees were also given a guided tour of Taunton town centre, visiting landmarks and council-supported projects including the Brewhouse Theatre, the Museum of Somerset, the transport hub, refurbished public toilets, Goodlands Gardens, and French Weir Park.

A visit to the council's recently refurbished depot demonstrated the operational side of service delivery. The site now provides a modern base for maintenance, facilities, and open spaces teams, equipped with vehicles, tractors, gardening equipment, and office space to support frontline services.

The study tour also explored how the council has developed a dedicated workforce through a personnel strategy focused on skills, recruitment, and long-term capacity building, including apprenticeships, work experience opportunities, and T Level placements.

Attendees left with practical ideas, examples, and inspiration to take back to their own councils, with the visit showcasing how strong partnerships, clear priorities, and investment in people and place can help a new council quickly establish itself at the heart of its community.