Public opinion: Your blogs

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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.

blog entries

Barry McCarthy

Interviews with CLT experts filmed by New Start

Interviews of leading figures in community land trusts (CLTs) were filmed at a New Start conference in London this week.

The clips are available on YouTube at http://tiny.cc/pF2ND.

In one of the videos Bob Paterson, co-founder and project director at Community Finance Solutions, a think tank at Salford University, says …

Posted on Tuesday, 30th June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)

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Barry McCarthy
Mike Bialyj

Construction apprentices need public sector help

As the economic climate has worsened, it has become more challenging for businesses in the UK to retain their apprentices and continue to invest in qualifying the workforce.

But particularly for the construction sector, which has been beset by skills shortages since the 1990s recession when many employers slashed their …

Posted on Wednesday, 24th June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)

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Mike Bialyj
Adam Patterson

That’s when ‘Good Neighbours’ become good friends

The term "community cohesion" doesn't mean much to most people. But if you suggest it can be about having a chat and a cuppa with a neighbour, it starts to make sense.

At Knowsley Council, our ‘Good Neighbours' communications campaign is breaking down a phrase only used in local government …

Posted on Tuesday, 23rd June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)

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Adam Patterson
Ian Davison Porter

How BIDs deliver safer trading environments

I am delighted to announce that we are now working in partnership with the Scottish Business Crime Centre (SBCC) on projects and services to make towns and business parks safer places for business.

The SBCC provides practical advice for the business and commercial sectors on how to develop business crime reduction and …

Posted on Monday, 22nd June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)

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Ian Davison Porter
Keeley Wilcox

Children’s minister - wrong shoes but right attitude

It was fun to choreograph a dance routine for 50 young people.

They came from different parts of London so I had to go and visit them at their projects and then bring them together for the first time on the day of the show.

But we were united by …

Posted on Friday, 19th June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)

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Keeley Wilcox
Toby Blume

Community reinvestment - our ideas are starting to resonate with people

Discussion with various partners (and prospective partners), voluntary organisations, social enterprises, representatives from the main political parties, financiers and opinion formers have been positive, as we start to build a coalition of support for our proposals.

There has been a great deal of healthy debate, challenge and thinking - exactly …

Posted on Thursday, 18th June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)

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Toby Blume
James Tall

‘It’s a Knockout’ time for Liverpool’s voluntary sector

With rising unemployment and less disposable income to go around, we are all aware that charities across the UK are struggling to stay afloat amid the recession. At a time when its services are increasingly required, there is less funding available to the voluntary sector.

Charities obviously rely on their supporters …

Posted on Monday, 15th June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)

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James Tall
Garry Campbell

Let’s go up on the roof

There's nothing quite as special as spending a hot summer's day with our friends and family in nice, clean, green surroundings.

It's a time when ice cream tastes extra special - and just being able to get away from it all helps to recharge our batteries. With the sun putting …

Posted on Monday, 15th June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)

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Garry Campbell
Jennifer Sprinks

A listening culture is needed to ‘age-proof’ local services

This week the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) ran a conference called Wise Up: Listening to older people, which discussed proposed changes in how government engages with older people. Jennifer Sprinks, media manager at LGIU, blogged from the event. 

The UK’s rapidly ageing society is an issue that needs …

Posted on Friday, 12th June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)

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Jennifer Sprinks
Michelle Southby

A roof over your head is not the whole answer

What should a modern hostel for homeless people look like? This was the question facing architects asked to transform a dormitory-style hostel in Hackney into an environment fit to meet today's challenges.

When St Mungo's started life in 1969 the answer would have been simple: to provide rough sleepers with …

Posted on Tuesday, 2nd June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)

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Michelle Southby
  • Ecobuild
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  • Access 10
  • The Glasshouse
  • Print and Design

Most recent comments

You don't have to be a site member to comment on any of our blogs, but as a member you can contribute your own and start debate and discussion on what matters to YOU in the sector.

  • 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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