We held our first Book Club this summer, reading Caroline Criado Perez’s Invisible Women (read our round-up of discussion and related briefings here). At our last session, we had councillors and officers from local government and health professionals all sharing their views in a non-hierarchical chat.
For our next book we’re reading John Boughton’s Municipal Dreams: The Rise and Fall of Council Housing. This member-only event is an opportunity to discuss a book of local government interest in a friendly and informal online session and to share experience and practice on 29 October from 2pm to 3pm GMT.
A narrative history of council housing – from slums to the Grenfell Tower Urgent, timely and compelling, Municipal Dreams brilliantly brings the national story of housing to life. In this landmark reappraisal of council housing, historian John Boughton presents an alternative history of Britain. Rooted in the ambition to end slum living, and the ideals of those who would build a new society, Municipal Dreams looks at how the state’s duty to house its people decently became central to our politics.
Colleagues who have already started this book say that it’s both informative and engaging, a good read.
Although this book is about housing policy, this discussion is definitely not just for those with an interest in housing, but for anyone with an interest in discussing local government with friendly colleagues.
LGIU Members can book at this link. Places are intentionally limited and our previous book club filled up well before the event, so book early – we will be running a waiting list.
