Localism Act

The Localism Act became law in November 2011. The Act signifies an important new stage in the development of localism, establishing policies and powers that have the potential to reshape and redefine the relationship between communities and local government.  These include changes in local governance and public services, the development of new approaches to Neighbourhood Planning, and further developing new ways of owning and managing community assets.

Chamberlain Forum have developed a briefing outlining the key elements of the Act.  And, will be publishing findings based upon research into local expectations, opportunities and challenges presented by the act.

Localism Briefing

Communities Managing Change

Featured

Communities Managing Change is an 18 month programme of action research and collaborative enquiry based in neighbourhoods in Birmingham.  The programme will be delivered by Chamberlain Forum working with a number of neighbourhood and community groups in Birmingham.  It is supported by Barrow Cadbury Trust which has agreed to fund the majority part of the programme.

The aim of Communities Managing Change is to research innovative approaches to tackling poverty and inclusion through more sustainable communities, ie communities that can manage change.  Between October 2011 and December 2012, five projects  will be undertaken to look into different aspects of community strength and resilience.  Reports on these projects will be published at intervals during the year.

Findings from these projects should enable the programme, by March 2013, to set out, convincingly and thoroughly, the idea of communities managing change as a basis for addressing poverty and inclusion; and to illustrate the relationship between this approach and emerging ideas and policy around localism; coproduction; social capital and assets; neighbourhood equity; and learning as dialogue.

(image from Communities Managing Change Event in May 2012, courtesy of Eddie Currall, thank you)