CLES Bulletin
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Regeneration and Local Governance in 2007: The Valued Role of the Third Sector
January 2007 - This bulletin seeks to provide an analysis of two new policy documents published by the recently formed Office of the Third Sector. The documents provide an assessment of some of the key ways in which the Third Sector can influence public sector procurement processes and deliver social and economic regeneration. The Bulletin will conclude by assessing some of the issues that local authority and other statutory bodies need to consider when working with the third sector to deliver regeneration activity and service delivery.
The challenges and opportunities presented to the social housing sector by new forms of governance proposed in the Local Government White Paper
December 2006 - Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) have valuable ties with local communities and are experienced in delivering services at the neighbhourhood level. They are also key players in the Government’s Sustainable Communities agenda (ODPM 2003). The Local Government White Paper has, however, largely overlooked the potential of the social housing sector to help meet its aspirations for improved governance and empowerment of local communities. As the sector is subject to review at present and the White Paper’s proposals are not directional, this raises a number of questions as to how housing associations and other RSLs can have input into new governance arrangements that are proposed. This Bulletin explores some of the challenges and potential opportunities that are presented by the White Paper, Strong and Prosperous Communities, and suggests ways in which the sector could respond.
New Powers for Local Authorities? A Summary of the Local Government White Paper
November 2006 - After months of anticipation and speculation the Local Government White Paper was finally released last week by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). The development of the paper has been fraught with Ministerial and Department alterations and questions over how much power Whitehall are really prepared to devolve. With speculation predicting changes in legislation to allow for large-scale local government reorganisation and strong powers for city regions amongst other things, the final paper is somewhat of an anti-climax. Rather than containing radical proposals and new legislative powers for local government and their partners the Local Government White Paper is more of a good practice handbook with many proposals for reform detailing many of the positive activities local authorities are doing anyway.
London 2012: the story so far
October 2006 - In July 2005 after a period of consultation, masterplanning and competition London was awarded the right to host the 2012 Olympic Games. As well as offering the opportunity to host a world class sporting event and receive the associated spin off benefits in terms of media profile and tourism, the Games also presents the opportunity for positive physical, economic, social and environmental regeneration and enhanced partnership activity. It is this area of regeneration and partnership activity that this bulletin will focus upon.
CLES Summer School 2006 Review
August 2006 - This year’s Summer School was entitled Regeneration: Doing, Devolving & Delivering and brought together regeneration practitioners, community project workers, government office and development agency staff and a wide range of people with a clear interest in sharing knowledge, skills and methods of best practice with each other. Since the event included over 50 speakers giving presentations on over 20 individual topics it is not possible to give a full account of all those involved within this review. However, the objective of this bulletin is to give those who missed out on the event or those who would like to know more about some of the issues raised during the event, a chance to look in detail at a select number of the sessions and also to address the wider issues raised by the event.
Health Inequalities and Lifestyle Health Choices
Time and time again, statistics show the same pattern of health inequalities across England in both spatial and socio-economic terms. Inevitably, these two factors coincide, with the most deprived wards in the UK aligning with the poorest health. Central Government have recognised that health and health inequalities are a major concern centrally, regionally and locally. This CLES bulletin seeks to investigate these policies in greater detail and to look at some of the more local interventions being developed across England to tackle health inequalities.
Thoughts on the Forthcoming Local Government White Paper - Six Key Challenges for Local Governance
April 2006 - In the last couple of months there has been an increasing emphasis in the regeneration and local government press on the Local Government White Paper, which is due to be published in the summer. The purpose of this bulletin is to look in detail at six key policy areas, which CLES believe will form the bulk of the Local Government White Paper.
Regeneration in Coastal Towns
February 2006 - In December 2005 the ODPM select committee announced an inquiry to examine the case for special initiatives to address the needs of coastal towns. The enquiry will consider the effectiveness with which the Government and indeed the ODPM are addressing the social, housing and environmental problems facing coastal towns. It will evaluate where the programmes being undertaken in coastal areas are effective, well focused and adequately funded and examine whether there is a case for more specific regional initiatives. In light of the inquiry and the need to ensure that benefits of regeneration are extended to coastal towns and the growing interest in skills for regeneration.
Local Governance - The Future of LSPs
January 2006 - The main objective of LSPs is to set out the vision of an area; and coordinate and drive local services leading to improved outcomes for citizens that go beyond the remit of only one partner. The evaluation of LSPs has found that there are a number of gaps between the principles of LSPs and what is happening in reality. The LSP Consultation sets of proposed changes in the way in which LSPs operate, the strategies they produce and who they are accountable to.
Young people today
November 2005 - In the last couple of years the Labour Government have sought to develop key policies and interventions around children and young people in an effort to narrow the gap between the most deprived in society and the rest of the population. In recognising the issues such as crime, health, education and inclusion, that Young People face, the Government is looking to develop young people in ways that will eventually develop into a healthy and skilled workforce. Another focus of the Government’s third term is its radical Respect Agenda, which is heavily focused on young people and addressing issues around anti-social behaviour, intergenerational mistrust, and community inclusion.
CLES Commendations 2010
Three projects received commendations at this year's CLES Summit - Grow (Hull); The Star Inn (Salford) and East Lindsey Active (Lincolnshire).
Full details
Local Economic Assessment Network
CLES has launched its national Local Economic Assessment Network.
For more information click here.
Wellbeing Evaluation
Norwich LEGI
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HCA Placemaking Practice Review Panel
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