About the Taskforce

What is Luton's Fairness Taskforce?

The Fairness Taskforce was launched in November 2021, with the goal to "do community engagement differently".

The Fairness Taskforce is intentionally co-designed as a cross-sector and community-centred network. We bring together people from all over Luton with a passion for change. Our attendees are the Taskforce and everyone is welcome. 

Collectively we explore key topics and identify where the structural barriers are built into the system. We then work together to create a pathway for change on a range of social, economic, and environmental challenges facing the town. 

The Fairness Taskforce development programme is a partnership between Luton Council, The Young Foundation, Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation, and the University of Bedfordshire, working collaboratively to support the Taskforce events and put these changes into action.

In 2024, the programme was awarded £1.89m from The National Lottery Community Fund  for a three year period to pilot and test new ways of working alongside voluntary, charitable, faith and business via core areas of innovation.  

Fairness Taskforce Original Goal

The main goal of the Fairness Taskforce is to create a fair town for all, through tackling inequalities as part of our 2040 vision.

Using an Asset Based Community Development approach, we focus on what is strong rather than what is wrong. We put community voice at the heart of all work we do, and support residents and VCFSE organisations to create long lasting change. 

Our Vision for the Future

Our Vision is for a Luton shaped and owned by its residents, where everyone feels that they have a voice and a sense of community. To reach this vision, we ask ourselves the following questions about the work of the Taskforce: 

Is what and how we are working still relevant? What changes do we need to make to adapt to a changing environment? Are we building capability in the system to do things differently?

• How do we ensure we aren’t just working ‘business as usual’ in each work strand and strive to better innovate, collaborate and capture learning?
• Do we have the right resources and capabilities focussed on the right things and a clear sense of FTF priorities, and what changes do we need to make to optimise for this next phase?
• How does every action/interaction we complete as partners link back to the Fairness Taskforce and Luton 2040 priority areas?
• What external factors will affect this work and how can we mitigate and work with any challenges?

What Creates a Town Built on Fairness? 

The Fairness Taskforce is built on the principles of: 

• Equity: A town built on fairness with equitable outcomes for all our residents.

• Inclusion: Increased resilience across our community committed to protecting the most vulnerable and socially excluded.

• Collaboration: A thriving voluntary and community sector, delivering on shared priorities and enabling our residents to support themselves and each other.

• Culture: A welcoming and compassionate town, with respect, social responsibility and civic pride at its heart.

• Power: A meaningful voice for all our residents to shape the vision and direction of our town.