From social engagement to civic action – how can local government engage citizens in democracy and delivery? What can communities do for themselves with the support of local public bodies?
Reflecting on Scotland’s National Alcohol Framework, including minimum alcohol unit pricing, this briefing explores some of the main challenges to tackle alcohol-fuelled community impacts, including licensing and service provision.
Now, in the recovery phase, there is an opportunity to seek out alternative approaches to local economic development that prioritise the needs and wants of local people and communities over that of external shareholder profit. This briefing will be of interest to local authorities who want to take action to address the external leakage of…
Despite legislated participatory measures enacted to enable decentralised government, neighbourhood issues are not always addressed. We focus here on the South African experience of community engagement and participation, but many of the concerns are common to other countries, including the UK.
Two in five people across the UK live in a town, but it is the unique sense of place, identity and shared history of each town that means that policies aimed at their regeneration cannot be rolled out in a way that discounts how distinctive their histories, current circumstances, and ambitions for the future are.…
The result of Covid-19 is a situation where largely, food is still available in the nets and in the fields – but it is not reaching the shelves. Farmers and fishermen are turning to new methods of reaching customers, assisted by local government and communities who have played a key role in the approach.
This briefing discusses the need for democratic practices such as deliberation to evolve for today’s diverse societies. It argues that greater involvement through deliberation is not enough, but ‘inclusive involvement’ should be the goal. It is especially topical given the current complex debate over BLM.
It’s becoming clearer that the pandemic isn’t affecting us all equally and neither is justice. The killing of George Floyd has sparked protests across the globe and the toppling of a statue in Bristol. We talk to Bristol’s Mayor Marvin Rees about social justice, democracy and Covid-19 recovery and hear from Swindon leader Cllr David…
As previously highlighted in LGIU Briefings, the local government system in Northern Ireland has undergone a considerable overhaul in both its structures and its statutory responsibilities in recent years. This briefing investigates efforts in preparing and establishing community plans by local councils.
National Reconciliation Week is a time forAustralians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Here, Dr Ed Wensing looks at the history of NRW and how local governments are engaging with their communities to acknowledge this important milestone.
Cork County Council writes about their recent accolade at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards 2019, where the council’s collaboration with the Blackwater Valley Makers group saw their pop-up shop “Blackwater and Creativity in County Cork” receive the overall award for ‘Supporting Active Communities’.