We are working with Queen Mary, University of London, to investigate how councils are using lenses like place and wellbeing to manage growth and achieve broad social aims. This work is supported by Research England.

The fallout of the pandemic, precarious financial circumstances and increasing demand for statutory services have all put huge pressure on local authorities that seek to play a more expansive, connected role in local areas.

But the World has changed in various ways. Councils are at the forefront of adaptation to new realities in economics and the state, working patterns and demographics, and a renewed understanding of vulnerabilities.

Following a series of online seminars with senior council officers, councillors and academics, as well as a series of detailed, semi-structured interviews, we will publish a full report in May.

The report will focus on the following questions:

• How do concepts like wellbeing and place help to frame local government action and achieve diverse aims?
• Do they help to strengthen or facilitate civic participation among local communities?
• What capacities and resources do we need at the local level to increase wellbeing and support place-based approaches?

Please get in touch to find out more, or to contribute to the research: andrew.walker@lgiu.org