CLES Publications
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Think-piece: Grant making with the voluntary sector
Grants are vital to ensuring that the VCS preserves its role in civil society
Area Based Initiatives - do they deliver?
This CLES briefing explores the impact on deprived communities by one of Labour’s biggest area based initiatives – the New Deal for Communities (NDC) Programme.
Evaluating regeneration projects and programmes
This handbook aims to explain and demystify the world of evaluation.The guide is designed primarily for those people who are involved in undertaking an evaluation of a project or programme. It provides a framework for evaluation, highlighting the tools, skills and knowledge required to successfully evaluate projects and programmes. It is based upon the experience gained by CLES Consulting in the evaluation of a wide range of regeneration projects over many years across the UK and Ireland.
Making the most of public sector spend: Procurement as local economic activism
The UK government spends some £220 billion each year procuring goods and services from external organisations in the public, private and third sectors. Some £42 billion of this is spent by local authorities. This breifing paper considers the social and economic potential of public sector spend.
The Pre Budget Report 2009: what will it do for economic recovery?
Following the Chancellor’s presentation of his Pre-Budget Report on 9th December CLES has prepared a briefing note on the statement and what it may mean for economic recovery.
Liberal Democrat policy on economic development and regeneration
This is the second in a series of briefing papers that aim to help practitioners in the field of economic development and regeneration ‘get to grips’ with what a potential change in government and approach would mean for them. This briefing will examine and analyse the key policy themes to emerge from the Liberal Democrat Party. The Liberal Democrats have released a number of policies over the last few years however the caveat is that the detailed specifics on how some of these policies would be implemented or funded has often not been released with them.
Conservative Party policy on economic development and regeneration:
The end of the summer recess of Parliament and the start of the party conference season makes September an opportune time to reflect on what new policy ideas are emerging across the political spectrum. This is the first in a series of briefing papers that aim to help practitioners in the field of economic development and regeneration ‘get to grips’ with what a potential change in government and approach would mean for them.
How resilient is your local economy?: A pilot research project
CLES is looking for Local Authorities in which to pilot its research work
Delivering economic success: An international perspective on local government as stewards of local economic resilience
This report contains the findings of a study tour in October to December 2008 supported by the Norfolk Charitable Trust. The aim was to develop an international perspective on local government as stewards for local economic resilience, and draw out lessons for the UK.
Understanding and supporting the resilience of market towns
Britain is currently in the grips of a recession, with increases in unemployment levels, business insolvency rates and repossessions. The current economic downturn is having an impact on all localities within Britain, ranging from large cities to small rural villages. Problems which have been historically associated with our small towns such as commuting patterns, retail offerings, footfall counts and housing prices have been sharpened during the current economic climate. The increased uncertainty about the direction in which the economy and the vulnerability of many rural settlements, re-opens the debate on how the current policy environment provides for the needs of rural economies and their communities. It is with these issues in mind that this research has been undertaken to explore the resilience of market towns in 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.
For more information click here.
Wellbeing Evaluation
Norwich LEGI
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HCA Placemaking Practice Review Panel

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