Community groups
Creating conditions for empowered communities
Cllr Clare Coghill urges councils to think before they sell off old buildings or parks. There might be members of the community with the drive and vision to transform it.
Supporting communities to deliver change
Adele Taylor asks how councils can co-operate with those in the community with the ability to deliver real change.
Community capacity and the role of the state
Most council transformation plans feature a section on ‘community capacity building,’ but what does that mean and how should it be done? Graham Duxbury explains
How do we support the next generation of community leaders?
At the moment, too much money goes to the bigger care providers. Ewan King argues we must be better at building local community-based care services.
Time to connect the disconnected
With a recent focus on the handing of powers to a collection of high profile regional mayors, Sue Baxter urges the next Governement, whichever hue it may be, to push devolution down to the grass roots.
Resetting our relationship with residents
What is the role of the state? Alex Bailey explains how Adur and Worthing councils are creating platforms upon which communities can build happy, healthy, prosperous and connected places.
We need to involve people in difficult decisions about services
Involving residents in developing, delivering and evaluating controversial proposals, such as hospital closures, from the outset can only enhance plans, argues Ewan King.
Partnerships are pivotal in the aftermath of a terror attack
John O'Brien says the investment councils put in to building partnerships to make communities safer and more cohesive are tested during and after events like the Westminster terror attack in March.
Championing the community
Cambridgeshire CC won the Excellence in Community Engagement prize at The MJ’s Local Government Excellence Awards 2016. Here’s how they did it.
Hands up for greater tenant participation
Calum Davidson explains why tenant participation should be higher on chief executives’ agendas and how injecting a lick of youthful dynamism into council workforces can help to reinvigorate communities.
Labour proposes extra pub protection
A shadow communities minister has called for a change in the law to protect vulnerable pubs.
Casey review is not over – it’s just the start for councils
Following the publication of Dame Louise Casey's community cohesion review, Heather Jameson calls on local government to stand up and speak out with her.
The challenge begins here
With the long-anticipated release of Dame Louise Casey’s opportunity and integration review, Heather Jameson looks at her call for councils to be brave and tackle the growing divide in our communities
Let's talk about the tricky issues
How do we all live better and live better together? Jo Miller says we all have a part to play in the aftermath of the Casey Review.
Diverse but not divided
Kersten England explains how councils across the country can learn from Bradford MDC's work to foster community integration and close inequalities
Commission launched to ‘rethink’ economy
A new commission has been launched to examine the challenges facing sustainable growth and provide practical recommendations for reform.
Lessons from Cities of Service UK
The Cities of Service used international models to help councils engage volunteers. Lydia Ragoonanan explains the programmes, while local leaders share their top tips for engaging local communities
Transferring the power to change
Transferring council assets to the community can offer new opportunities to transform outcomes. Abby Gilbert examines the results of a new survey of council officers and investigates where local authorities are already undertaking innovative work
What councils can learn from Trump
The surprise result of the US election can show local government much about how to engage with local communities, argues Claire Fox
Dealing with the Donald
The result of the US presidential election shows why local government must ensure communities are engaged and involved, argues Jo Miller