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.
Bungalows. Not usually a subject you would rush to write home about, but this week saw the start of a cutting-edge bungalow scheme with a difference.
In a small village in Derbyshire – North Wingfield to be precise – LHA-ASRA’s latest development is leading the way in sustainable living for …
Posted on Friday, 27th February 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
As we await the impact of the latest bank-bail-outs it is interesting to look at what other countries have been doing in response to the recent recession.
Several of our near neighbours, including France and Germany, have opted to invest in transport infrastructure as a more value-added form of fiscal …
Posted on Friday, 27th February 2009 | This entry has 2 comment(s)
Part of the disastrous RBS results announcement is a commitment to achieve efficiency savings of £2.5bn a year by 2011.
We all know what 'efficiency savings' means and at the Campaign for Community Banking Services we want to avoid seeing branch closures in deserving but lower income rural and urban …
Posted on Thursday, 26th February 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
As the UK’s recession deepens, not only have the 1.2 million young people currently not in education, employment or training (NEET) become increasingly vulnerable, we are at risk of losing a whole new generation of potential as that number escalates.
Securing new funding has become even more crucial, so we …
Posted on Thursday, 26th February 2009 | This entry has 2 comment(s)
Is the dominance of RSLs in the delivery of new social housing being eroded?
The sector’s new funding regime for new homes could mean that councils once again become favoured as developers, with smaller RSLs in particular being squeezed out over time. Current events may present an opportunity for local …
Posted on Thursday, 26th February 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
The dangers drugs can cause our children is a subject close to many people’s hearts but one initiative in Sefton, Merseyside, has begun to address that.
Children at three primary schools in the New Heartlands Housing Market Renewal area of Seaforth and Waterloo have been taking part in a drama …
Posted on Thursday, 26th February 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
Our discussion paper on the future of co-operatives was launched at the House of Commons on Tuesday (24 February) – and was a great success.
I had been asked by Greening the Earth to write the booklet – The role of the Co-operative Movement in Building a Sustainable Future. This …
Posted on Wednesday, 25th February 2009 | This entry has 1 comment(s)
Liverpool Community Network (LCN) has announced the dates for the next round of ‘Your Community Matters’ events.
These friendly and informal events begin on Monday 2nd March and enable local residents to meet with key decision-makers, including representatives from Liverpool Council and Merseyside Police, to discuss what can be done …
Posted on Wednesday, 25th February 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
With the introduction of the Tenant Services Authority (TSA), RSLs are being encouraged to host sessions to give residents an opportunity to give honest feedback on their experiences and expectations of their landlords.
Promoted as the National Conversation, informal ‘Local Conversations’ will take place across the country. Each gathering will …
Posted on Wednesday, 25th February 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
In a recent edition of the Sun, the newspaper’s ex-editor Kelvin MacKenzie boasts of a new spoof property TV programme he has planned called ‘Rochdale: A Place in the Slum’.
It’s not a serious TV proposal and is unlikely to ever be commissioned. But I hear it’s become part of …
Posted on Tuesday, 24th February 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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