In the latest episode of Radical Reformers, I'm joined by Dr Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU). We explore the importance of communities having trust in councils and other key local institutions, and also why long-term thinking matters. We discuss how both councils and the communities they serve have essential roles to play in our society and its future success. Councils create the enabling framework, accountability and formal

In the latest episode of the Radical Reformers podcast, I'm joined by Zina Etheridge, recently appointed Chief Executive of Buckinghamshire Council, to explore her relatively unique experience of leading in central government, in a council and in the NHS. Zina highlights that place matters more than ever, and the conversation centres on a powerful idea we truly believe in here at Mutual Ventures: councils are more than service providers. At their best, they are place-makers a

In this article, Prof. Donna Hall and Andrew Laird argue that to successfully deliver the Pride in Place programme, communities need to be given pride-of-place in both governance and delivery. Most of us have something in our homes that takes pride of place. Something we value deeply and put on display. A family photograph, a child’s drawing, a treasured ornament that was your grandma’s. Imagine if communities took pride of place in neighbourhood renewal. Imagine if residents

Yvonne Reinhardt and Sally Dickens encourage PiP Neighbourhood Boards and Councils to start thinking about further steps towards community-led delivery now. In early December, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) published the Pride in Place (PiP) programme prospectus. Building on the previous Plan for Neighbourhoods, the Government’s flagship regeneration programme stands out for its emphasis on a profound shift in power dynamics: moving from an in

Radical Reformers is back! I kick off the new year in conversation with Jason Strelitz of the Health Foundation and formerly Director of Adults, Health & Communities at Newham Council. Jason brings a wealth of experience and insight, having worked on the Marmot Review into health inequalities and also the Grenfell Recovery programme. He’s also the author of a great book – "Same Storm, Different Boats" - which is a powerful account of the COVID-19 pandemic response in Newham.

Yvonne Reinhardt argues that radically different, place-based approaches to public service delivery can help improve the resilience of...

This article was first published on the Co-operative Council Innovation Network's website on 13th July 2021 and follows Mutual Ventures'...

The government has published details of its £150m Community Ownership Fund, designed to support local people to save local community...

Catch up on a webinar on Harnessing Community Asset Transfer, produced in partnership with Cooperative Council Innovation Network on...

Community assets enrich our lives, help to create strong and resilient communities, and support the effectiveness of public services....

As part of the budget in March, the Chancellor announced a new £150m Community Ownership Fund to help community groups buy or take over...

Andrew Laird welcomes the announcement of the government’s new Community Ownership Fund and its potential to be a catalyst for change in...

Danny Kruger’s report – Levelling Up our Communities – proposes a re-emphasis on communities in the recovery from COVID-19. John Copps...

In the wake of the collapse of public service outsourcer Carillion, some are aggressively calling for an end to all independent delivery...