Rapid Research
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Local Economic Assessments: How are local authorities rising to the challenge?
February 2010: This Rapid Research gives an overview of the Economic Assessment Duty and considers some of the associated policy documents and accompanying guidance before going on to offer an insight into how local authorities are responding to the Economic Assessment Duty based on the research recently carried out by CLES. It concludes by offering a number of conclusions and recommendations arising from our research.
Banking on change: Community Reinvestment and re-thinking the UK financial system
Drawing on the body of reports, articles and general commentary that has emerged on the subject, this Rapid Research explores the concept of responsible finance, especially community reinvestment banking, including the growing campaign for a more responsible financial system in the post-recession era and how this might be rolled out in the UK.
Market Towns and the recession
This research, undertaken by CLES and amt-i, (the consultancy division of Action for Market Towns), is part of a longer term research project being undertaken by CLES and AMT (and supported by the Commission for Rural Communities) with the aim of better understanding the economic resilience of market towns considering how the public, social and commercial economies operate and interact with each other.
Local authority responses to economic downturn
December 2008 - This Rapid Research provides an insight into the effects of downturn on local authorities and local areas, and crucially, how authorities are responding to the problems that have arisen or worsened over the last year.
Understanding the rollout of the Working Neighbourhoods Fund
October 2008 - Earlier this year, CLES reported on the initial reaction to the Working Neighbourhoods Fund, and found that for many practitioners the move to the new worklessness focused fund had been controversial. Six months on, this CLES Rapid Research seeks to examine how local authorities intend to use their Working Neighbourhoods Fund allocation. Whilst CLES’ previous research focused on the initial reaction of local authorities and third sector organisations to the change to the Working Neighbourhoods Fund, this Rapid Research moves the debate forward and considers how the Working Neighbourhoods Fund will, and is, being used.
The challenges facing growth areas
July 2008 - At CLES we are interested in the shaping of fairer places for the future and thus, used the CLES Rapid Research Service to examine the types of challenges emerging from this programme for places and practitioners.
A new role for Regional Development Agencies
November 2007 - Since the publication of the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration by HM Treasury in July this year, there has been an ongoing debate around the Review’s repositioning of roles between Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and Local Authorities towards a more strategic and delivery type role respectively. The preparation of this Rapid Research included a series interviews with RDA and Local Authority representatives, to consider how this attempt to alter the current relationship might work and what challenges may need to be overcome.
Economic Development and Climate Change
April 2007 - The recently published Stern Review has set out a key challenge for central and local government in terms of the economic impact that climate change will have on the local, national and global economy. As such, the purpose of this research is to identify to what extent the Stern Review and mitigation of the effects of climate change are influencing or should influence economic development activity in the UK, at the national, local and regional level.
Linking Elected Members and the Local Community more effectively through the Local Government White Paper
December 2006 - After months of anticipation, speculation and departmental changes, the Local Government White Paper was finally released at the end of October. With speculation indicating that the paper could focus on devolved powers for city regions, concepts of double devolution and stronger central–local relations, the final paper is not as radical and devolutionary as was potentially expected.
Rural Reniassance: Ten challenges for creating sustainable and inclusive rural communities
October 2006 - The recent focus on rural regeneration has been sparked by interest in housing affordability and growth, the debate around city regions and administrative changes to the funding and delivery of rural regeneration, as well as the creation of Natural England.
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.
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Wellbeing Evaluation
Norwich LEGI
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HCA Placemaking Practice Review Panel
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