Communities
Model routes to democracy
Dr Arianna Giovannini says Sheffield voters' decision to reject the strong leader model was a 'victory for democracy'. But Henri Murison rejects the case for committee decision-making while Cllr Tony Page argues for a hybrid approach.
LGiU report calls for a local government-led Building Back Better commission
A local government-led Building Back Better commission should be part of a new place settlement after the pandemic, a new report from the LGiU think-tank has urged.
Redrawing the boundaries
Parliamentary Boundary Commission proposals to change constituency boundaries have the potential to impact how the residents we serve are represented. Sir Bob Neill argues for councils to make their voices heard on where boundaries should lie.
Rebuilding lives free from loneliness
The pandemic has revived our sense of community spirit. But we can’t forget those at risk of being left behind as COVID-19 recedes from view, says MP Matt Vickers.
What can councils do to stand up for fair tax conduct?
This is Fair Tax Week. Rachel Bentley says councils across the UK need to lead the way on tax conduct and ensure their practices stand up to scrutiny.
Islington’s core COVID support
The We are Islington helpline acts as a ‘one-stop shop’ for local people in need – and the same listening approach is now being used to get vaccinations to all residents, say Cllrs Una O’Halloran and Sue Lukes.
Paint your town a rainbow
Helen Power and Tom Lloyd Goodwin look at what can be learned from a new book telling the story of CLES’s collaborative work in Preston on a bespoke approach to community wealth building.
Solidarity in a climate of fear
In the aftermath of a recent religious scandal involving a schoolteacher, Claire Fox salutes the binmen who, she believes, have shown up how a climate of fear can make cowards of leaders – and threaten our democratic core values.
Community involvement in town centres – supporting local people to do more
Government should rethink the powers available to local authorities to work with their communities to keep their high streets vibrant, argues Claire Harding of Centre for London.
Chief operating role created in restructure
A new chief operating officer role forms the centrepiece of a major senior management restructure at Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Community resilience: preventing the breakdown
Governments must change the post-pandemic narrative to avoid community breakdown, says a public health expert. Ann McGauran reports.
Burnham calls for Labour push on devolution
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has called on his party to provide ‘wholehearted support for true devolution’.
More than 100 leisure centres could go bust, DCN warns
More than 100 leisure centres in England could go bust due to the coronavirus crisis, district councils have warned.
Birmingham lays out its latest plans for building a fairer city
Birmingham City Council is poised to present an update to its Cabinet on the city’s plans to make tackling inequalities everyone’s battle and everyone’s business, says Cllr John Cotton.
MJ Housing: Getting the mix right
Since the 1970s, mixed-tenure developments have been seen as the key to creating cohesive communities, but it can only be done in partnership, writes Mike Auger.
A threefold plan for high streets in Surrey
Regenerating high streets and towns after the tragedy of COVID-19 calls for a collaborative and fully inclusive approach that uses existing assets and reflects the distinct identity of each place, says Michael Coughlin.
'Health is made at home, hospitals are for repairs'
Lord Nigel Crisp says coalitions of local interest have a vital role when it comes to improving lives. Councils as guardians of places will always have a key part to play, ‘whatever the future arrangements for managing health and social care’.
Scotland has some of least local councils in Europe, says campaign group
Scotland has some of the least local councils in Europe and is lagging behind England in terms of voter representation per councillor, new research has found.
Gazing up at the future of community power
Following on from a three-day event in March, New Local's Building Stronger Things looked at how to put the ideas of the community paradigm into practice locally. Ann McGauran reports.
The case for virtual meetings
Jackie Weaver – star of Handforth Parish Council’s viral meeting – argues the case for stepping out of the dark ages and allowing councils to hold their meetings online.
