Title

How to be happy is one of life's most elusive questions. But these days, it's not just our own happiness we are concerned with. Leading figures in local government are now working on making everyone happier.

In recent years, we have become a much more affluent society, and yet, we are not achieving happiness. So, if having extra cash can't buy us happiness, how can a council help?

This is one of the questions think-tank, the Young Foundation, set out to answer went it, together with the IDeA and partner authorities launched what is now the biggest project of its kind – the Local Wellbeing Project.

Young Foundation director, Geoff Mulgan, says there is no difference between what was known as ‘wellbeing' and the new happiness agenda – it's more to do with personal taste for ‘what language you use'.

But whichever way we look at it, this is central to the whole place-shaping agenda.

Speaking exclusively to LocalGov sister title the MJ, Mr Mulgan claims: ‘You should know who is happy or miserable in your area, just as you know who is young or old.'

It is a relatively measurable factor, he adds.

And while there is no easy answer to making everyone happy, knowing where the misery is will shape the solution for your area.

South Tyneside has dealt with isolated elderly people by encouraging volunteers to visit them. A project to tackle the emotional resilience of 11 to 13-year-olds has also proven to be a success story.

One of the major factors for happiness has also proven to be neighbourliness. Mr Mulgan tells The MJ: ‘Its about getting back to the human aspect of life.'

Could the Government's efforts to rebuild communities in itself help to make people happier? The answer remains to be seen.

Mr Mulgan is just one of the speakers at the Local Wellbeing conference being in London next week (9 September), supported by LocalGov and sister titles The MJ and LGN.

Lord Richard Layard, LSE professor at the LSE and author will be among those taking part.

Also attending will be secretary of state for work and pensions, James Purnell, who will give a keynote address on why wellbeing is important for local government, and the three pioneer authorities of the Local Wellbeing Project will present case studies. 

* Local Wellbeing Conference, 9 September, 2008, Westminster