Local government & public services

Transforming Neighbourhoods: Lessons from Local Work in Fifteen Areas

Publication 1 October 2007

For many years, there has been increased political focus – both in Whitehall and in local government – on the need to boost opportunities for residents, both as individuals and collectively, to influence what happens in the local areas in

Why involve and what are the outcomes? The duty to involve for best value authorities

Publication 5 June 2007

This briefing was commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government to inform the development of the “Duty to Involve” – a duty which which was set to be launched in April 2008 for local authorities to work under.

Parliamentary Inquiry into the Role of Councillors

Publication 1 March 2007

This paper draws together evidence from the Transforming Neighbourhoods programme and research for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation about the role of elected members in neighbourhood working and how this role is likely to change as neighbourhood working becomes more embedded

The World in our Neighbourhood

Publication 22 December 2006

This paper looks at the particular challenges for local authorities and community organisations developing neighbourhood working in areas with very diverse populations. The paper was prepared for a conference run in partnership with LB Haringey, one of the most diverse

Where’s the Money? Neighbourhood governance and the future of local finance

Publication 22 November 2006

This paper presented recommendations on how the reform of local public finance in England could appropriately reflect the government’s plans for a strengthened tier of neighbourhood governance, which appeared on 26 October 2006 in Strong and Prosperous Communities: the local

How local government devolves and why – Part 2

Publication 22 November 2006

Part 2: Developing local strategies. This briefing, commissioned by LGA and IDeA, outlines the building-blocks, tactics and approaches which can make up local authority startegies to enagaging with communities. It is illustarted by numerous case studies of best practice, many

How local government devolves and why

Publication 1 November 2006

Why work in neighbourhoods and communities? This briefing, commissioned by LGA and IDeA, looks at why local government devolves, decentralises and empowers, the impact this can have and the strategies councils have adopted to engage with their citizens.

Life begins at 60: what kind of NHS after 2008?

Publication 28 October 2006

Can the NHS evolve into a national wellness service capable of maximising people’s health rather than just treating us when we get ill? That’s the question at the heart of a visionary document about the future of the NHS by

Bridging the Gap: The London Olympics 2012 and South Asian – owned Businesses in Brick Lane and Green Street

Publication 28 July 2006

This report which reveals a significant gap between the activities of the London Olympics 2012 development agencies and the expectations of small businesses in Brick Lane and Green Street. The study of 50 small Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani catering, commercial

The challenges of citizen engagement: Lessons from Transforming Neighbourhoods

Publication 18 July 2006

Powerpoint presentation detailing lessons of community and citizen engagement from the Transforming Neighbourhoods programme.

The potential for neighbourhood involvement in the design and delivery of public services

Publication 5 July 2006

This report discusses the potential for communities to play a significant role in designing, planning and delivering local public services. Improving the quality of local public services is a high priority for government. It has recognised that poor quality services

Local democracy and neighbourhood governance

Publication 4 July 2006

Democracy can flourish in many different ways. It is presently evolving as fresh demands for and practices of participation fall in with and challenge the representative process. Our work has found that arguments between participation and representation prove sterile when