A literature review was published on 'gated communities' - enclave-style residential developments where the affluent gate themselves off from the rest of society.
Source: Sarah Blandy, Diane Lister, Rowland Atkinson and John Flint, Gated Communities: Systematic review of the research evidence, CNR Paper 12, Centre for Neighbourhood Research (0141 330 5408)
Links: Summary (pdf) | University of Glasgow press release
Date: 2003-Sep
A paper examined the contribution of the social landlord function to the objectives of community cohesion.
Source: David Robinson, Delivering Housing Services to Support Community Cohesion, Chartered Institute of Housing (024 7685 1700)
Links: Paper (pdf) | People for Action press release
Date: 2003-Aug
The government published a guide to help local agencies build a detailed picture of the cohesiveness of their communities, and monitor progress. It set out ten core 'community cohesion indicators' using local data such as residents surveys, exam results and unemployment figures: it said these reflected the key elements defining a cohesive community and would help local authorities build strong integrated communities.
Source: Building a Picture of Community Cohesion: Guide for local authorities and their partners, Community Cohesion Unit/Home Office (020 7035 5471)
Links: Guide (pdf) | Home Office press release
Date: 2003-Jul
A study said that the six neighbourhoods making up the Bournville Village Trust estate (near Birmingham) provided an 'impressive example' of the way that estates could succeed when home owners and tenants lived side by side.
Source: Rick Groves, Alan Middleton, Alan Murie and Kevin Broughton, Neighbourhoods that Work: A study of the Bournville estate, Birmingham, Policy Press for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: JRF Findings 733 | JRF press release
Date: 2003-Jul
The fifth and final code of good practice was published as part of the compact on relations between government and the voluntary and community sector in England. The code aimed to strengthen ties between the government and community groups.
Source: Press release 23.7.03, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Home Office press release
Date: 2003-Jul
A report compared various approaches to accrediting and raising the standard of community investment undertaken by voluntary and community organisations, public sector bodies and private enterprises. It said that the government and others should accept a diversity of approaches and not seek to develop one standard approach.
Source: Ensuring the Quality of Community Investment, People for Action (0121 233 9003)
Links: Report (pdf) | People for Action press release
Date: 2003-Jun
A research paper estimated the impact of recorded domestic property crime on property prices in the London area. Crimes in the 'criminal damage' category had a significant negative impact on prices, although burglaries did not. It was suggested that vandalism, graffiti and other forms of criminal damage caused fear of crime in the community, and could be taken as signals of community instability and neighbourhood deterioration in general.
Source: Steve Gibbons, The Costs of Urban Property Crime, DP574, Centre for Economic Performance/London School of Economics (020 7955 7673)
Links: Paper (pdf) | Abstract
Date: 2003-Jun
A guide was published on how to use a sustainable development approach to environmental, social or economic projects which benefited local people and the environment as a whole.
Source: Chris Church, A Better Place to Live: Guide for community groups to local action on sustainable development, Community Development Foundation (020 7226 5375)
Links: CDF press release (Word file) | Guardian report
Date: 2003-Jun
A report summarised the findings of a project aimed at highlighting some of the work being done by local authorities to enhance participative democracy in their communities.
Source: Designs on Democracy: Case studies on democratic participation, Local Government Association (020 7664 3000)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2003-Jun
The report was published of a project which explored people's understanding of the term well-being , and how the capacity to promote it could be developed by community groups and people working in health and community services.
Source: Building Community Well-Being: Exploration of themes and issues, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report | Summary | SE press release
Date: 2003-Jun
The final report of the Scottish Community Planning Task Force was published. It recommended that community planning partnerships should commit themselves to all or most of the key priorities of the Scottish Executive; and that the partnerships should build the capacity of communities to be engaged in community processes, with the support of the Scottish Executive, Scottish local authorities and Communities Scotland.
Source: Final Report of Community Planning Task Force, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report (pdf) | SE press release
Date: 2003-May
Researchers examined the extent and efficacy of the 'extended school' model in England. They found a wide variety in types of provision within the concept, and a positive impact on pupil attainment, attendance and behaviour.
Source: Anne Wilkin, Kay Kinder, Richard White, Mary Atkinson and Paul Doherty, Towards the Development of Extended Schools, Research Report 408, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Brief (pdf)
Date: 2003-Mar
The government announced that at least one school in every local education authority would provide a full range of community services by 2006. 240 'extended' schools would be funded over three years to provide childcare, health and social care, lifelong learning opportunities, family learning, parenting support, study support, sports and arts, and information technology access. Funding would initially be targeted at the most disadvantaged areas and then rolled out progressively to all areas.
Source: Press release 13.3.03, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Press release
Date: 2003-Mar
Following a review report, the government outlined the following key roles for the Community Development Foundation: contributing to the debate on community cohesion and diversity; the development of practical indicators that can be used to describe a well-functioning community; showing public bodies (including central and local government) how they can strengthen communities; advising on systems for involving neighbourhoods and communities in service planning; and exploring ways of strengthening 'neighbourliness', citizenship and community infrastructures.
Source: Stage 2 of the Quinquennial Review of the Community Development Foundation on behalf of the Home Office: Final report, Home Office (0870 000 1585) | Statement of the Home Office Position on the Role and Remit of Community Development Foundation, Home Office
Links: Report (pdf) | Statement (pdf)
Date: 2003-Feb