Nick cites examples like @kindredlcr.bsky.social in Liverpool City Region and the Market Drayton community covenant as examples of good practice in LAs/CAs sharing power and resources w their communities; says we need more of them to make this culture shift. www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...

Responding to new Pride in Place announcements, both @nickplumb.bsky.social and @dhnnjyn.bsky.social say this investment needs to embed new routes for community power and participation…

Mayor of East Mids Claire Ward talks about the need for inclusive economic development that brings people on the journey of growth. She says her Mayoral Community Development Fund will ask communities what they want and need in their place and what would make most difference in their lives.

On new pride in place programme, @anooshc.bsky.social says locally-driven renewal could be the much-needed narrative for govt’s wider policy agenda, but that gov needs to make a bigger deal out of it so it gets needed recognition. Love her idea that PM should be announcing policy at a community pub!

She said she wants to see more civil servants based around the country and getting out to see - and be inspired by - the good practice taking place in communities.

@kirstymcneill.bsky.social - bangs the drum for Pride in Place announcements, arguing that they are a radical new form of statecraft.

And sets out a really clear view of how difficult working relationally is, but also how rewarding and meaningful it is.

Packed room for our first conference event with @joshsimonsmp.bsky.social, @kirstymcneill.bsky.social, @morganj0nes.bsky.social, Andy Jackson @right-here.org and Frances Foley @compassoffice.bsky.social - discussing communitarianism (Beyond Blue Labour)

Craig from @futureyard.org shared that from their community engagement he knows local people overwhelmingly trust Future Yard to deliver the change they want to see in their neighbourhood - mirrored at a national level in recent @moreincommonuk.bsky.social polling for our new report: buff.ly/MIQNu9O

Lots of appetite among those around the table for new community-powered policies and pride in place funding - of which Birkenhead Central, where we met, is due to receive investment. But there’s a clear message to central and local government to let communities take the lead in local renewal.

I’d hope these can help communities receiving investment build entrepreneurial organisations that can own assets and trade to build sustainability/longevity beyond the period of investment - a key lesson from previous neighbourhood regen programmes as I set out here:
www.themj.co.uk/sustainable-...

- Plans for a ‘Network for Neighbourhoods’ to facilitate connection and peer learning between communities
- Delivery of a new cooperative development unit…

A couple of interesting things in the strategy:

Some long awaited detail on the Community Wealth Fund. I haven’t read the government’s response in detail yet but looks like this will be £1-2.5m pots over ten years for social capital + social infrastructure development

www.gov.uk/government/c...

This also really chimes with what we’ve seen in new @moreincommonuk.bsky.social polling for @powertochange.org.uk. People want communities to have more power to change things in their local areas, and they trust community organisations to make good things happen.

And lastly, for any high streets/regen and housing people who find themselves in the Nort West on Friday - Make Hamilton and @futureyard.org are hosting a conference to shape the national conversation on high streets and housing from the bottom up - worth checking out makecic.org/events/flipi...

We're also hosting a community business reception for the second year running. Come for stimulating speeches on how community businesses are building prosperous local economies that benefit everyone; stay for award-winning pies from Homebaked Bakery (likely the best food you'll eat at conference!)

Lots going on from @powertochange.org.uk at Labour Conference including events with @coopparty.party.coop, @hopenothate.org.uk, @uclpolicylab.bsky.social and @right-here.org. More info here: www.powertochange.org.uk/event/party-...