Public opinion is New Start’s forum for discussion. Blog entries are posted by site members from all over the sector, and discussion of the topics presented is encouraged. Becoming a member is completely free and gives you the opportunity to help contribute to the most exciting portal for regeneration, economic development and sustainable communities on the web. Site membership is now open, and you can be registered and begin submitting entries in less than 5 minutes! Just use the links at the top of the page.
Six Halton residents from disadvantaged backgrounds have returned from India after an inspiring and emotive trip to an orphanage for children affected by HIV/Aids. The children at the orphanage have not only lost their parents to the virus but contracted it themselves.
Aged between 16 and 34, the delegates were …
Posted on Friday, 30th January 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
Regeneration bosses in Liverpool have been tackling the issue of bogus callers intent on burglary with the help of the police and an amateur dramatics group. Older people in Merseyside have been warned about the threat of fraudsters at a special event held at the city’s Fairfield Police Club. Merseyside …
Posted on Thursday, 29th January 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
Holyrood’s decision to vote down the budget bill will undoubtedly lead to further debate and discussion over the coming days about the detail of the devolved administration’s spending proposals. What is clear though is that at a time when the country is witnessing a sharp economic downturn, parliament needs to …
Posted on Thursday, 29th January 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
Since early childhood I took inspiration from an ancient English heroine – Boadicea, who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire in the first century. To a girl growing up in the 50s and 60s caught in the constraints of the post war, pre-feminist era, Boadicea, …
Posted on Wednesday, 28th January 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
Down Pleasure's stream, wi' swelling sails,
I'm tauld ye're driving rarely:
But some day ye may gnaw your nails,
An' curse your folly sairly
As we approach the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birthday it would be interesting to contemplate what the bard would make of the current …
Posted on Friday, 23rd January 2009 | This entry has 4 comment(s)
In the context of the economic slump and intensified competition for jobs and investment, cities must promote their distinctiveness and develop ‘differential advantages’ that other cities cannot reproduce.
People should not resort to formulaic responses - high tech industries, talent attraction, signature buildings and consumer brand identities. Instead we need …
Posted on Friday, 23rd January 2009 | This entry has 1 comment(s)
Before the banking crisis we had major banks closing branches, often the last one standing, in deprived communities including Liverpool Kensington that are receiving regeneration money and beginning to look up.
Also suffering were rural communities, estates and poorer suburbia. Now that the banks are strapped for cash and look …
Posted on Friday, 23rd January 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
Can social enterprises grow in a recession? I think they can. By nature they tend to be resilient and resourceful. The very good level of support being offered by the Scottish Government is a real shot in the arm. This will give social enterprises with a sound business plan access …
Posted on Thursday, 22nd January 2009 | This entry has 1 comment(s)
I’m still recovering from a hectic day travelling up the A1 with the Eventus team to deliver a creative consultation event on accommodation for homeless young people for Broadacres Housing Association. The boxes are being unpacked; we have the easy job of putting resources back on shelves; and the exhilarating …
Posted on Thursday, 22nd January 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
Correct and relevant skills training is essential not only to lift ourselves from the current recession, but to enable the UK to compete globally once things improve. I have produced a video giving advice on training and outlining my predictions on the severity of the recession.
To watch the video …
Posted on Wednesday, 21st January 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
Interesting to read your discussion paper …
I agree with you about the probable cuts, move to on-line services, etc. But it would be nice to be a bit more specific – areas like affordable housing have risen up the agenda and could well be protected by either new …
Robert Bullard on 8th February 2010:
Austerity in rural England.... any glimmers in the darkness?
At least Heseltine showed some ability to learn from experience while involved in regeneration. He moved deftly from the heavy-handed UDCs to some of the early partnership approaches such as City Challenge. During New Labour we seem to have lost the ability to identify best practice, to apply it consistently …
Nick Bailey on 4th February 2010:
Why Heseltine is wrong man to lead on regeneration
I don’t wish to denigrate the stance taken by the individuals and organisations involved with improving rural communities, but some questions do spring to mind…
Firstly…the use of language is so important to enable participation at all levels, having been involved in community regeneration for almost 15 years, this is …
Bill McCallum on 4th February 2010:
Austerity in rural England.... any glimmers in the darkness?
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