Samuel Saunders
@samuel-saunders.bsky.social
Producer of The Saxonvale Saga - narrative audio documentary.
Produce/present 'Somerset Spotlight', a FromeFM radio show and podcast on local government in Somerset (not boring, promise!)
The Commons/Localism/Politics
https://linktr.ee/samuelsaunders
Produce/present 'Somerset Spotlight', a FromeFM radio show and podcast on local government in Somerset (not boring, promise!)
The Commons/Localism/Politics
https://linktr.ee/samuelsaunders
Reposted by Samuel Saunders
'Communities must have the right to own environmental assets'
Great letter from @tomchance.bsky.social of the Community Land Trust Network to @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social, asking her to amend the Devolution Bill to strengthen Community Right to Buy:
www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Great letter from @tomchance.bsky.social of the Community Land Trust Network to @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social, asking her to amend the Devolution Bill to strengthen Community Right to Buy:
www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Communities must have the right to own environmental assets | Community Land Trust Network
We have written on behalf of 100s of community land trusts to urge the government to add 'environmental interests' to the definition of Assets of ...
www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk
October 29, 2025 at 12:20 PM
'Communities must have the right to own environmental assets'
Great letter from @tomchance.bsky.social of the Community Land Trust Network to @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social, asking her to amend the Devolution Bill to strengthen Community Right to Buy:
www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Great letter from @tomchance.bsky.social of the Community Land Trust Network to @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social, asking her to amend the Devolution Bill to strengthen Community Right to Buy:
www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Delighted to say I have won gold at the National Community Radio Awards for The Saxonvale Saga, broadcast on @fromefm.bsky.social.
October 26, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Delighted to say I have won gold at the National Community Radio Awards for The Saxonvale Saga, broadcast on @fromefm.bsky.social.
Reposted by Samuel Saunders
Here's our latest podacst:
Somerset Spotlight - No 5
Anna Sabine, MP for Frome and East Somerset talks to Sam Saunders (Fome FM) and Andrew Lee (Somerset Confidential).
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-s...
Somerset Spotlight - No 5
Anna Sabine, MP for Frome and East Somerset talks to Sam Saunders (Fome FM) and Andrew Lee (Somerset Confidential).
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-s...
Somerset Spotlight - No 5
Anna Sabine, MP for Frome and East Somerset talks to Sam Saunders (Fome FM) and Andrew Lee (Somerset Confidential).
somersetconfidential.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Here's our latest podacst:
Somerset Spotlight - No 5
Anna Sabine, MP for Frome and East Somerset talks to Sam Saunders (Fome FM) and Andrew Lee (Somerset Confidential).
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-s...
Somerset Spotlight - No 5
Anna Sabine, MP for Frome and East Somerset talks to Sam Saunders (Fome FM) and Andrew Lee (Somerset Confidential).
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-s...
Happy to announce that I am a finalist for the 2025 National Community Radio Awards for The #Saxonvale Saga', broadcast on #FromeFM and nominated in the News, Journalism & Factual Storytelling of the Year category.
The awards ceremony is in Bradford on the 25th October. Fingers crossed.
#CRAs2025
The awards ceremony is in Bradford on the 25th October. Fingers crossed.
#CRAs2025
September 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Happy to announce that I am a finalist for the 2025 National Community Radio Awards for The #Saxonvale Saga', broadcast on #FromeFM and nominated in the News, Journalism & Factual Storytelling of the Year category.
The awards ceremony is in Bradford on the 25th October. Fingers crossed.
#CRAs2025
The awards ceremony is in Bradford on the 25th October. Fingers crossed.
#CRAs2025
@somersetconf.bsky.social and I had a great chat with @somersetcouncil.bsky.social Cllr Theo Butt Philip, lead member for transformation, first broadcast on #FromeFM.
In it we we cover:
-Theo's background in local politics in Somerset.
\/ 1/3
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-s...
In it we we cover:
-Theo's background in local politics in Somerset.
\/ 1/3
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-s...
Somerset Spotlight - No 4
Theo Butt-Philip faces questions about Somerset Council's transformation
somersetconfidential.substack.com
September 4, 2025 at 8:56 AM
@somersetconf.bsky.social and I had a great chat with @somersetcouncil.bsky.social Cllr Theo Butt Philip, lead member for transformation, first broadcast on #FromeFM.
In it we we cover:
-Theo's background in local politics in Somerset.
\/ 1/3
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-s...
In it we we cover:
-Theo's background in local politics in Somerset.
\/ 1/3
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-s...
Reposted by Samuel Saunders
'Redruth Revival’s development strategy was not driven by short-term commercial gain, but instead by a self-imposed mandate to assist with supporting long-term community resilience.' > and they've delivered something rather special. architecturetoday.co.uk/the-butterma... @archhfund.org.uk
The Buttermarket - Architecture Today
Somerset-based practice Thread has ‘re-revealed’ a collection of historic buildings in Redruth, North Cornwall, to create a vibrant hub for artists, food entrepreneurs and the local community.
architecturetoday.co.uk
August 8, 2025 at 1:23 PM
'Redruth Revival’s development strategy was not driven by short-term commercial gain, but instead by a self-imposed mandate to assist with supporting long-term community resilience.' > and they've delivered something rather special. architecturetoday.co.uk/the-butterma... @archhfund.org.uk
I find local government fascinating. Underreported on at best, ignored at worst, yet it has a central role in two of the biggest crises facing the UK: housing and social care. Questions about democracy, accountability and transparency are just as pertinent at this layer of government.
This week we launch a new series (hopefully) of podcasts in conjunction with Frome FM
Somerset Spotlight will focus on local issues and politics.
In this pilot, Andrew Lee talks local government with Sam Saunders, how it works and who does what.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-s...
Somerset Spotlight will focus on local issues and politics.
In this pilot, Andrew Lee talks local government with Sam Saunders, how it works and who does what.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-s...
April 24, 2025 at 10:03 AM
I find local government fascinating. Underreported on at best, ignored at worst, yet it has a central role in two of the biggest crises facing the UK: housing and social care. Questions about democracy, accountability and transparency are just as pertinent at this layer of government.
Reposted by Samuel Saunders
"Community-led development has been bubbling up for decades.
I'm firmly convinced it's the answer to the UK's housing crisis.
It's huge for Frome.
But this is a moment of consequence for the whole country."
youtu.be/Go3DdslosdY
I'm firmly convinced it's the answer to the UK's housing crisis.
It's huge for Frome.
But this is a moment of consequence for the whole country."
youtu.be/Go3DdslosdY
Mayday Saxonvale wins bid to buy the Frome Site from Somerset council
YouTube video by Mayday Saxonvale
youtu.be
February 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
"Community-led development has been bubbling up for decades.
I'm firmly convinced it's the answer to the UK's housing crisis.
It's huge for Frome.
But this is a moment of consequence for the whole country."
youtu.be/Go3DdslosdY
I'm firmly convinced it's the answer to the UK's housing crisis.
It's huge for Frome.
But this is a moment of consequence for the whole country."
youtu.be/Go3DdslosdY
Reposted by Samuel Saunders
Today the Chancellor is talking about growth.
We've joined forces with leaders locally and nationally to make a clear call to back community ownership and drive growth people can see and feel in their local area.
Read our letter 🖊️
https://buff.ly/40O3GdP
We've joined forces with leaders locally and nationally to make a clear call to back community ownership and drive growth people can see and feel in their local area.
Read our letter 🖊️
https://buff.ly/40O3GdP
January 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Today the Chancellor is talking about growth.
We've joined forces with leaders locally and nationally to make a clear call to back community ownership and drive growth people can see and feel in their local area.
Read our letter 🖊️
https://buff.ly/40O3GdP
We've joined forces with leaders locally and nationally to make a clear call to back community ownership and drive growth people can see and feel in their local area.
Read our letter 🖊️
https://buff.ly/40O3GdP
Reposted by Samuel Saunders
New data from @cmmonwealth.bsky.social shows more support for energy projects if they are community-owned.
The Local Power Plan should drive a community-owned clean energy revolution, creating new jobs, income, and lower energy costs for local people.
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
The Local Power Plan should drive a community-owned clean energy revolution, creating new jobs, income, and lower energy costs for local people.
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
The Public is Enthusiastic for Community Energy | Update | Common Wealth
New YouGov polling shows widespread public support for the creation of community owned, renewable energy projects.
www.common-wealth.org
January 22, 2025 at 5:03 PM
New data from @cmmonwealth.bsky.social shows more support for energy projects if they are community-owned.
The Local Power Plan should drive a community-owned clean energy revolution, creating new jobs, income, and lower energy costs for local people.
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
The Local Power Plan should drive a community-owned clean energy revolution, creating new jobs, income, and lower energy costs for local people.
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
Now Mayday can buy the site the exciting stuff can happen...test casing a new way of doing development at scale...community-led and first.
Big story with national consequences, and a rare ray of hope www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Frome residents win five-year battle for community-led housing project
Mayday Saxonvale scheme is given the go-ahead after an extraordinary meeting of Somerset council executive
www.theguardian.com
January 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Now Mayday can buy the site the exciting stuff can happen...test casing a new way of doing development at scale...community-led and first.
Reposted by Samuel Saunders
1. There are many things I’m glad to leave behind on X, but most of them come down to this: loyalism. Regardless of ideology, those who tend to be most abusive, unpleasant and vicious are staunch loyalists of particular figures, factions or policies. 🧵
January 21, 2025 at 5:22 PM
1. There are many things I’m glad to leave behind on X, but most of them come down to this: loyalism. Regardless of ideology, those who tend to be most abusive, unpleasant and vicious are staunch loyalists of particular figures, factions or policies. 🧵
Reposted by Samuel Saunders
This is probably the most important domestic political story at the moment. Gilt yields being this high is going to kill the already shaky public finances. It risks making an already difficult spending review impossible.
UK’s Highest Debt Costs Since 1998 Risk More Labour Tax Hikes
“If market pricing sticks then the fiscal rules are probably going to be breached and they’re going to have to come back and do more,” says Jamie Rush, Bloomberg’s chief European economist
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
“If market pricing sticks then the fiscal rules are probably going to be breached and they’re going to have to come back and do more,” says Jamie Rush, Bloomberg’s chief European economist
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
UK Debt Costs Hit Highest Since 1998 as Issuance Flood Begins
The UK’s long-term borrowing costs surged to the highest level in more than a quarter of a century, raising the prospect of Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves needing to raise taxes again in or...
www.bloomberg.com
January 7, 2025 at 3:10 PM
This is probably the most important domestic political story at the moment. Gilt yields being this high is going to kill the already shaky public finances. It risks making an already difficult spending review impossible.
#Council's in the last decade were able to, and were encouraged, to borrow unlimited money from the #Treasury
through the Public Works Loans Board to make investments. Imagine if they were allowed to borrow that money to build new social housing...
through the Public Works Loans Board to make investments. Imagine if they were allowed to borrow that money to build new social housing...
1/ Councils through Section 106 can make developers build affordable homes on a development which are then sold to Housing Associations (HAs) for social rent. Such deals have been the single largest method of affordable housing delivery in England since 2015.
REVEALED: How section 106 crisis is threatening affordable housing delivery
Though some councils are doing what they can, thousands of homes are standing empty as a result of p...
www.lgcplus.com
January 6, 2025 at 2:12 PM
#Council's in the last decade were able to, and were encouraged, to borrow unlimited money from the #Treasury
through the Public Works Loans Board to make investments. Imagine if they were allowed to borrow that money to build new social housing...
through the Public Works Loans Board to make investments. Imagine if they were allowed to borrow that money to build new social housing...
1/ Councils through Section 106 can make developers build affordable homes on a development which are then sold to Housing Associations (HAs) for social rent. Such deals have been the single largest method of affordable housing delivery in England since 2015.
REVEALED: How section 106 crisis is threatening affordable housing delivery
Though some councils are doing what they can, thousands of homes are standing empty as a result of p...
www.lgcplus.com
January 6, 2025 at 1:27 PM
1/ Councils through Section 106 can make developers build affordable homes on a development which are then sold to Housing Associations (HAs) for social rent. Such deals have been the single largest method of affordable housing delivery in England since 2015.
Reposted by Samuel Saunders
Bring it on. Pollute your platforms to unusability. Kill Instagram and Facebook. They don't make us happy, hari kari and be done with it all.
Meta is testing, or has started to ship, its AI generated profiles, here on Instagram
www.instagram.com/himamaliv
#SocialWeb
www.instagram.com/himamaliv
#SocialWeb
January 4, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Bring it on. Pollute your platforms to unusability. Kill Instagram and Facebook. They don't make us happy, hari kari and be done with it all.
Reposted by Samuel Saunders
These letter-writers show how our imaginations are still in chains when it comes to community ownership.
A Scottish-style Community Right to Buy is about buying up *private* land & buildings, and making them community assets.
Not transferring public assets.
www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
A Scottish-style Community Right to Buy is about buying up *private* land & buildings, and making them community assets.
Not transferring public assets.
www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
Why we should beware a ‘community right to buy’ | Letters
Letters: Communities shouldn’t have to buy assets they have already paid for, says Donald Stavert scam and Alan Hall says it mustn’t be used as a cover story for council underfunding. Plus letters fro...
www.theguardian.com
December 27, 2024 at 10:02 AM
These letter-writers show how our imaginations are still in chains when it comes to community ownership.
A Scottish-style Community Right to Buy is about buying up *private* land & buildings, and making them community assets.
Not transferring public assets.
www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
A Scottish-style Community Right to Buy is about buying up *private* land & buildings, and making them community assets.
Not transferring public assets.
www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
Reposted by Samuel Saunders
Glorious early colour footage of English farming before mechanisation; you get a sense of how many people still worked in the fields during harvest time less than a century ago.
'English Harvest', 1938
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcyz...
'English Harvest', 1938
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcyz...
English Harvest (1938)
YouTube video by BFI
www.youtube.com
December 23, 2024 at 10:19 PM
Glorious early colour footage of English farming before mechanisation; you get a sense of how many people still worked in the fields during harvest time less than a century ago.
'English Harvest', 1938
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcyz...
'English Harvest', 1938
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcyz...
It will be interesting to see if Com Right To Buy will extend to land, as the white paper references smaller scale acquisitions (like buildings) only, AFAIK.
With Labour set to bring in a Community Right to Buy in England, due to publish a Land Use Framework consultation in January, & now unveiling proposed changes to land value capture... land is back on the political agenda: questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
questions-statements.parliament.uk
December 20, 2024 at 6:50 PM
It will be interesting to see if Com Right To Buy will extend to land, as the white paper references smaller scale acquisitions (like buildings) only, AFAIK.
Reposted by Samuel Saunders
CAMPAIGN WIN! Since our launch, we’ve campaigned for a Community Right to Buy. Today, the Government has committed to implementing this policy. 🥳
Well done to everyone involved in the campaign. This is the beginning of a community power moment!
www.right-here.org/devolution-w...
Well done to everyone involved in the campaign. This is the beginning of a community power moment!
www.right-here.org/devolution-w...
December 16, 2024 at 5:04 PM
CAMPAIGN WIN! Since our launch, we’ve campaigned for a Community Right to Buy. Today, the Government has committed to implementing this policy. 🥳
Well done to everyone involved in the campaign. This is the beginning of a community power moment!
www.right-here.org/devolution-w...
Well done to everyone involved in the campaign. This is the beginning of a community power moment!
www.right-here.org/devolution-w...
An excellent argument for why communities should seek to enhance rather than reduce their power within the planning system.
"by opening out the planning process to enable more and deeper community involvement, it is possible to build consensus rather than create opposition"
"by opening out the planning process to enable more and deeper community involvement, it is possible to build consensus rather than create opposition"
The planning system desperately needs reform.
While £100m for councils & 300 new planning officers is welcome, top-down targets alone won't deliver 1.5m homes.
Read our latest report to learn how community-powered development can transform housebuilding.
www.newlocal.org.uk/publications...
While £100m for councils & 300 new planning officers is welcome, top-down targets alone won't deliver 1.5m homes.
Read our latest report to learn how community-powered development can transform housebuilding.
www.newlocal.org.uk/publications...
Constructing Consensus: The case for community-powered development and regeneration - New Local
How can community power unlock our fraught planning system?
www.newlocal.org.uk
December 12, 2024 at 1:15 PM
An excellent argument for why communities should seek to enhance rather than reduce their power within the planning system.
"by opening out the planning process to enable more and deeper community involvement, it is possible to build consensus rather than create opposition"
"by opening out the planning process to enable more and deeper community involvement, it is possible to build consensus rather than create opposition"
Local Government Audit is in Crisis
- Just 1% of local bodies published audited accounts on time for the 2022/23 financial year.
- The backlog prompted the NAO last month to refuse to sign off the Government’s spending for the first time in history
🧵 1/6
open.substack.com/pub/samuelsa...
- Just 1% of local bodies published audited accounts on time for the 2022/23 financial year.
- The backlog prompted the NAO last month to refuse to sign off the Government’s spending for the first time in history
🧵 1/6
open.substack.com/pub/samuelsa...
Local Government's Audit Crisis
A decade on from the closure of the Audit Commission and local government audit is in crisis.
open.substack.com
December 11, 2024 at 4:25 PM
Local Government Audit is in Crisis
- Just 1% of local bodies published audited accounts on time for the 2022/23 financial year.
- The backlog prompted the NAO last month to refuse to sign off the Government’s spending for the first time in history
🧵 1/6
open.substack.com/pub/samuelsa...
- Just 1% of local bodies published audited accounts on time for the 2022/23 financial year.
- The backlog prompted the NAO last month to refuse to sign off the Government’s spending for the first time in history
🧵 1/6
open.substack.com/pub/samuelsa...
2019: a report led by @georgemonbiot.bsky.social,commissioned by the Labour party, argued for changes in the way land is used and controlled in the UK. With the upcoming devolution white paper and reform of NPPF, I'll highlight some of the recommendations, more important now than ever. 🧵
December 10, 2024 at 12:40 PM
2019: a report led by @georgemonbiot.bsky.social,commissioned by the Labour party, argued for changes in the way land is used and controlled in the UK. With the upcoming devolution white paper and reform of NPPF, I'll highlight some of the recommendations, more important now than ever. 🧵
Reposted by Samuel Saunders
Great stuff from Andy Haldane in the @financialtimes.com. Whether at a neighbourhood level or the nation state, we need to rediscover the importance of #socialcapital www.ft.com/content/97c1...
December 9, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Great stuff from Andy Haldane in the @financialtimes.com. Whether at a neighbourhood level or the nation state, we need to rediscover the importance of #socialcapital www.ft.com/content/97c1...
Reposted by Samuel Saunders
It’s not NIMBYs preventing new development – it’s a system that creates conflict by design.
Our new report argues that meaningful community engagement can reduce opposition, speed up development & create thriving, liveable places.
🔗
Our new report argues that meaningful community engagement can reduce opposition, speed up development & create thriving, liveable places.
🔗
Constructing Consensus: The case for community-powered development and regeneration - New Local
How can community power unlock our fraught planning system?
buff.ly
December 9, 2024 at 12:27 PM
It’s not NIMBYs preventing new development – it’s a system that creates conflict by design.
Our new report argues that meaningful community engagement can reduce opposition, speed up development & create thriving, liveable places.
🔗
Our new report argues that meaningful community engagement can reduce opposition, speed up development & create thriving, liveable places.
🔗