An article examined the shift towards sustainable community building, and its implications for the policing and 'securitization' of places. 'Sustainability' was being used as a cover for a series of potentially repressive and counter-productive policy measures. Rather than increasing a sense of security within newly built and regenerated places, the new focus of policy might encourage insecurity and fear.
Source: Mike Raco, 'Securing sustainable communities: citizenship, safety and sustainability in the new urban planning', European Urban and Regional Studies, Volume 14 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Dec
An article examined the impact of public services modernization on the motivations and professional values of community engagement workers, and the ways in which they identified and addressed ethical dilemmas in their work. Professionals responded to modernization agendas in varying ways – while some welcomed the changes, others raised concerns, posing questions for the future about the potential impact on the motivations and values of the next generation of public service professionals.
Source: Marjorie Mayo, Paul Hoggett and Chris Miller, 'Navigating the contradictions of public service modernisation: the case of community engagement professionals', Policy & Politics, Volume 35 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Nov
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
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
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
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 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 new book provided a theoretical perspective on community practice, setting out an analysis of power and empowerment and exploring new ways of understanding active citizenship.
Source: Hugh Butcher, Sarah Banks, Paul Henderson and Jim Robertson, Critical Community Practice, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Sep
A report examined the role of neighbourhood management in developing social capital at the neighbourhood level. It discussed the meaning of social capital and how it was used in policy; described the range of activities that could be seen as contributing to social capital at neighbourhood level; explored how their impact could be assessed; and concluded by identifying key lessons and recommendations from three case studies.
Source: Marilyn Taylor, Neighbourhood Management and Social Capital, Research Report 35, Department for Communities and Local Government (web publication only)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Aug
An article examined whether the social capital of individuals in distressed communities could be enhanced by local community development programmes; and, subsequently, whether the employability and employment opportunities of programme participants increased.
Source: Nicholas Miles and Janet Tully, 'Regional development agency policy to tackle economic exclusion? The role of social capital in distressed communities', Regional Studies, Volume 41 Number 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Aug
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
A report by a committee of MSPs said that the Scottish Executive needed to fundamentally change its way of working if community planning partnerships were to became significantly more effective.
Source: Community Planning: An initial review, 2nd Report 2007, SP Paper 770, Scottish Parliament Audit Committee, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | SP press release
Date: 2007-Mar
An evidence review (focusing on education and children's services) found a paucity of research on community cohesion activity by local authorities: it was therefore not possible to identify definitive evidence of good practice.
Source: Monica Hetherington, Anne Lines and Maha Shuayb, Community Cohesion for Children, Young People and Their Families: A rapid review of policy, practice and research in local authorities, National Foundation for Educational Research (01753 747281)
Date: 2007-Feb