A new book examined the range of ways in which contemporary ideas of community were being used and contested. It looked at the existing theoretical and practical challenges of building and sustaining convincing senses of community.
Source: Christopher Clay, Mary Madden and Laura Potts (eds.), Towards Understanding Community: People and places, Palgrave Macmillan (01256 329242)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Nov
An article examined the use of cultural action to promote community development. It looked at the processes by which arts-based community projects could lead to the development of both informal and formal collective organization, and their potential for promoting empowerment.
Source: Fran?ois Matarasso, 'Common ground: cultural action as a route to community development', Community Development Journal, Volume 42 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Oct
A think-tank report presented the findings and lessons from a two-year programme of research and practical action designed to encourage community empowerment and the development of neighbourhood working.
Source: Nicola Bacon with Saffron James and Vicki Savage, Transforming Neighbourhoods: Lessons from local work in fifteen areas, Young Foundation (020 8980 6263)
Links: Report | Young Foundation press release
Date: 2007-Oct
A report presented the key lessons learned from the Guide Neighbourhoods Programme, and suggested ways of taking forward the principle of citizen-led learning in community empowerment.
Source: Angus McCabe et al., Learning to Change Neighbourhoods: Lessons from the Guide Neighbourhoods Programme – Evaluation report, Department for Communities and Local Government (0870 1226 236)
Date: 2007-Oct
A report examined different approaches to community leadership and neighbourhood working. It highlighted the key role that local councillors played in leading and inspiring communities to take pride in improvements driven and owned by them.
Source: A Place They Call Home: Driving improvement through neighbourhood working, Local Government Association (020 7664 3000)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Oct
A survey found that how much parents earned had a significant effect on how they viewed their neighbourhood, and whether they believed they were able to do the best for their families. Only 35 per cent of those on the lowest incomes felt confident that their neighbourhood could provide the best opportunities for their family, compared to 73 per cent of the richest.
Source: Claire James and Sally Gimson, Families and Neighbourhoods, Family and Parenting Institute (020 7424 3460)
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Oct
The government published an 'empowerment action plan' – setting out how the government would deliver on its commitment to bring about greater devolution and empower communities. It said that more people would be given more power over their communities in tackling anti-social behaviour, managing social housing, tackling litter and fly tipping, and improving playgrounds and parks.
Source: An Action Plan for Community Empowerment: Building on success, Department for Communities and Local Government (0870 1226 236)
Links: Plan | DCLG press release | Involve press release
Date: 2007-Oct
An article said that gated communities were not an effective response to issues of crime and disorder, in terms of physical security and collective efficacy; nor did they assist in regenerating deprived areas, or tackling problems of disorder on large 'social rented' estates. Indeed, any further growth in the collective fortification of affluent homes and 'retro-gating' of social rented estates was likely to contribute to increased social divisiveness.
Source: Sarah Blandy, 'Gated communities in England as a response to crime and disorder: context, effectiveness and implications', People, Place & Policy, Volume 1 Issue 2
Links: Article
Date: 2007-Sep
A report said that the future of community development finance institutions was uncertain, because government and policy-makers had begun to question whether they had measured up to initial expectations. But with the right support from government, regional authorities, funders, and banks, CDFIs could play a major role in improving access to finance, and addressing exclusion and disadvantage.
Source: Reconsidering UK Community Development Finance, New Economics Foundation (020 7820 6300)
Links: Report | NEF press release
Date: 2007-Jun
An article reported a seminar series on transformations in family and community relationships, including how these had been affected by social and economic developments. The concept of change, rather than attention to continuity, had became central to the contemporary focus on family and community life: but an historical perspective was needed in order to understand future developments.
Source: Rosalind Edwards, 'Family, community and social change: looking back and moving forward. Report of an ESRC seminar series', Policy Studies, Volume 28 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jun
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on coastal towns. It said that it had given resources and responsibility to local government and regional development agencies to help ensure that coastal towns - along with all towns and cities - achieved their full economic potential and addressed social and environmental issues.
Source: Government Response to the Communities and Local Government Committee Report on Coastal Towns, Cm 7126, Department for Communities and Local Government, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response | MPs report | Inside Housing report
Date: 2007-May
A government-commissioned report said that local people should be given greater control over how key assets in their communities were run - such as disused swimming baths, pubs, and community centres. Transferring public assets to communities led to more responsive services that met local people's priorities, and could also create more confident, 'empowered' communities with greater civic spirit. In response the government published a six-point action plan.
Source: Making Assets Work: The Quirk Review of community management and ownership of public assets, Department for Communities and Local Government (0870 1226 236) | Opening the Transfer Window: The government?s response to the Quirk Review of community management and ownership of public assets, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Report | Government response | DCLG press release (1) | DCLG press release (2) | LGA press release | Guardian report | Regeneration & Renewal report
Date: 2007-May
A new book examined neighbourhood migration flows for the whole of England and Scotland, based primarily on data from the Census 2001. Three dynamics were examined in particular: neighbourhood stability as measured by the scale of in- and out-flows; neighbourhood connexion, assessed through the geography of moves - where migrants came from or went to; and area change - how the social composition of each neighbourhood altered as a result of net migration flows.
Source: Nick Bailey and Mark Livingston, Population Turnover and Area Deprivation, Policy Press for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Date: 2007-Apr
A new book examined the concept of identity, and how its different meanings and interpretations impacted upon community policy.
Source: Margaret Wetherell, Michelynn Lafleche and Robert Berkeley, Identity, Ethnic Diversity and Community Cohesion, SAGE Publications Ltd (020 7324 8500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Apr
A guide explored how to create attractive and well-managed places that met the needs of all sections of the community in Scotland.
Source: Nick Bailey, Anna Haworth, Tony Manzi and Marion Robert, Creating and Sustaining Mixed Income Communities in Scotland, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 430033)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Mar
A report by a committee of MPs said that the government should do more to improve the economies and quality of life in some of England's most run-down seaside towns. Many coastal communities had poor housing, and influxes of elderly people put pressure on social services.
Source: Coastal Towns, Second Report (Session 2006-07), HC 351, House of Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | BBC report | Guardian report | Regeneration & Renewal report
Date: 2007-Mar
An article examined the basis of negative emotional responses in two areas of Belfast segregated between Protestant and Catholic communities. It made policy recommendations for mitigating fear and anxiety associated with residential segregation.
Source: Joanne Hughes, Andrea Campbell, Miles Hewstone and Ed Cairns, 'Segregation in Northern Ireland: implications for community relations policy', Policy Studies, Volume 28 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Mar