Communities
We’re getting in the Zone
Cllr Darren Rodwell explains how Barking & Dagenham is providing positive diversionary activities and role models by opening a Future Youth Zone.
Anchors away
David Godfrey explains the symbiotic link between prosperous communities and productive places, and why Localis’ new report stresses the need to deepen the relationship between business and place.
Pledges focus on what matters most to Londoners
London Councils’ Pledges to Londoners set out the aspirations the 32 boroughs and the City of London have agreed to work on together to improve the lives of all the capital’s residents, says Peter John.
A new social contract – the Community Paradigm
The time is right for a new vision for the future of our communities, according to Donna Hall – a paradigm shift in thinking that is as revolutionary and fundamental as Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s social contract.
Working together for Islington’s future
Asima Shaikh outlines the ground-breaking steps Islington LBC has been taking to reduce poverty and improve employment options for the area’s residents.
Taking forward New Municipalism in London
The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) has launched a new publication introducing the concept of New Municipalism and how it is being progressed in the London boroughs of Islington, Hackney and Camden.Neil McInroy explains its key elements.
Factor inclusivity in from day one
Tackling social exclusion cannot end at the planning committee or once legal agreements are signed, according to Paul Hackett.
How chiefs can lead digital change
At a round table debate in Manchester, The MJ and BT discussed the implications of digital transformation for senior management of local authorities. Heather Jameson reports.
No easy answers to knife crime
Public bodies should not have to be made to shoulder the responsibility for reporting gangs, writes Claire Fox. She says shifting the responsibility for this on to frontline workers is a wrong-headed distraction.
A new housing strategy for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
At the heart of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council's vision for the city-region is a comprehensive housing strategy focused on providing more homes and more accessible housing for local communities, says Graham Farrant
EXCLUSIVE: Whitehall warned as Brexit tensions grow
‘Early signs’ of escalating community tensions and hate crime related to Brexit have been reported to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), The MJ has learnt.
EXCLUSIVE: Community cropping up in more top roles
The growing importance of community-focused roles has grown among senior management positions, according to research by The MJ.
The gentrification problem
With the capital facing a complex list of housing challenges, the recent London Housing Conference brought the public and private sectors together to share perspectives and work towards solutions. How did they get on? Ann McGauran reports
Building residents’ resilience
Mark Fowler of Barking & Dagenham LBC and Sue Nelson of Luton BC outline how they are using insights from household data to build residents’ resilience.
Standing out from the crowdfunding
CrowdFund London was developed by the GLA and Spacehive. James Parkinson says the public sector has an important role in enabling civic projects to come to fruition in this way – and the approach features in Nesta’s innovation compendium
How we’re delivering homes for social rent
Peter Matthew says Hounslow LBC’s housing delivery plan aims to secure ‘5,000 new, affordable homes by 2022, including 3,000 homes for social rent and the Mayor’s London Affordable Rent’.
Tackling knife crime must top to-do list
A holistic, whole-systems approach focusing on early, effective intervention is vital if we are to halt knife crime. This can only be done by working together and making use of the sector’s know-how, as Bob Neill argues
Modern slavery referrals rocket
Referrals of potential victims of modern slavery made by councils have soared tenfold in five years, new figures have shown.
What do we want from our public services?
Heather Jameson says the cracks in our communities are starting to show, with knife crime, homelessness and poverty on the rise. But are we really ready for a mature, budget-sharing relationship across public services?
The Stronger Towns Fund is not the right solution to a complex problem
The Stronger Towns Fund is not the response we need to a complex and nuanced problem, says chair of Core Cities Cllr Judith Blake.