Despite the best efforts of government, every now and again small murmurings of local democracy do break out. And they can be fun.
Looking at a set of recent planning outcomes across England: it’s clear that the localism agenda hasn’t tipped the balance in favour of grassroots communities. The same old names keep cropping up.
The Coalition’s conception of “freedom” has little to do with empowering individuals and local communities. Instead, it means enhancing corporate power by “liberating” services from public control.
Will localism form part of the forthcoming election manifestos? If so, what exactly? Some early indications on the Coalition side.
Self-build schemes can be empowering in so many ways. We need to renew and expand on the self-build legacy.
The Coalition is turning voluntary services into a cheap adjunct to privatisation - and far too many of those in voluntary services have been complicit.
Understanding how neo-liberalism can be challenged by common and reciprocal action.
The Communities and Local Government Select Committee has reported back on its inquiry into Community Rights. The government has responded – using dodgy data to reward bad performance. What’s the story?
This was the government's revolutionary idea, its guiding light. Now, the government seems to have given up on it. What can we learn from the final audit of the 'big society'? The audit's primary author explains.
The Localism Act gives councils a ‘General Power of Competence’ (GPoC) allowing them the same legal powers as private individuals. But are they using these freedoms in ways that benefit grassroots localities?
We now know what the Smith Commission’s proposing for Scotland, and William Hague’s options on English votes for English laws. But how does devolution tie up with localism? A Santa-stic overview of news, comment and (dis)information.
The right to very little at all: House of Commons select committee launches an inquiry into the new ‘community rights’.
