[WiLT] Fw: {Disarmed} July/August 2009 Empowerment Bulletin

Fri Jul 10 13:31:26 BST 2009

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "London Civic Forum"
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2009 12:59 PM
Subject: July/August 2009 Empowerment Bulletin

Shape Your City

Welcome to the July/August edition of the London Empowerment Partnership
e-bulletin

News & Updates

The Place Survey results have now been published and demonstrate that London
continues to lead on National Indicator 4- the percentage of people that feel
they can influence decisions in their locality. London Empowerment Partnership
Co-ordinator, Hannah Peaker, said that 'the Place Suvey results demonstrate the
great work that is being done to engage with people across London. However, with
more people saying that they would like be involved in decision making, there
remains a great deal of work to be done.'
Read more here... ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3V-0/c.aspx )

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CLG has produced a report on progress since the publication of the White Paper
Communities in Control: Real people, real power. The report gives a good
overview of the various empowerment activities being delivered.
Read more here... ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3U-0/c.aspx )

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Leading think-tank Demos has argued that the expenses crisis shows that our
democracy is in need of 'resuscitation'. Their latest report asserts that the
solution to the instability of government is empowerment.
Read more here... ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3T-0/c.aspx )

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Urban Forum has produced a report on the role of councillors and third sector
representatives in community leadership. The report tackles the issue of how
participative and representative democracy can compliment one another.
Read more here... ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3S-0/c.aspx )

Speaker's Corner

Where does empowerment go from here?

Putting all boat-rocking, you-tubing and home-flipping to one side, community
empowerment certainly had a strong ally in former Communities and Local
Government Secretary Hazel Blears.

During her two-year tenure she was an enthusiastic advocate of empowerment,
driving it through the new round of Local Area Agreements in 2008,
single-handedly championing a range of pilot projects and almost launching a new
Bill onto the statute books.

So it seems a good time for us in the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) to
ask, in her recent absence, where empowerment goes from here.

But first let us go back, way back in the pre-recession mists of time to June
2007 when the MP for Salford took over the reins of local government, succeeding
Ruth Kelly and David Miliband before her…

The halcyon days of the CEN

‘Empowerment’ within the VCS was at this time more commonly associated with
Community Empowerment Networks or CENs – projects designed to involve local
people and VCS groups in the work and decision-making of England’s Local
Strategic Partnerships (LSPs).

Funding for such activity was ring-fenced (largely through the Neighbourhood
Renewal Fund) and every Local Area Agreement (LAA) contained a ‘Statement of VCS
involvement’ detailing how our sector could and should both engage in and
contribute to the work of the LAA.

But not all was rosy in the garden of empowerment. CENs often came under
criticism from government for under-performing, dedicated funding for such work
was coming to a merciless end and CEN representatives often faced charges of,
well, not actually being very representative at all.

Against this backdrop Blear’s empowerment intervention, with its focus on the
individual local residents rather than the voluntary or community groups as a
route to empowerment, seemed to some in the CEN world almost patronising.

Much effort had gone into building up CENs over the previous five years, many of
which suffered from what you might call ‘general LSP junior partner status
disorder’, often finding themselves banging collective community heads against
an LSP-shaped brick wall, whose approach to real partnership working many in our
sector found cripplingly slow and uncoordinated.

Nevertheless there were distinct positives to the new course Blears sought to
chart. CENs, (for many understandable reasons) tended to engage more established
voluntary groups rather better than smaller community ones. With Hazel at the
helm the vital role of the community sector was therefore given a welcome and
much needed fillip.

Likewise the new set of national indicators that accompanied the 2008 LAA round
put a fresh and original focus the ability of local people to influence
decision-making in their area.

Known to LAA geeks as simply ‘NI 4’, the implications of this shift in
monitoring for local authorities looks set to outlive the career of Ms Blears
and will, we hope, push us slightly further down the road to something
approaching a healthy civil and civic society.

Post-Hazel

For many VCS groups empowerment has always been a bread and butter issue.
Responding sensitively to the needs of their communities can be tremendously
empowering in itself – and is one of our unique selling points. Better than that
it is what we do instinctively. Ministers, initiatives and new names for old
concepts come and go, but some things remain constant.

So what we can learn from the last two years?

Well if we simply follow the money, not much. With public sector spending cuts
looming and many of those pilots kept afloat only by the Minister’s personal
buoyancy, we shouldn’t expect significant new funding for empowerment any time
soon.

Those new responsibilities on local statutory partners however do not sink so
easily, and we await the judgements of the first Comprehensive Area Assessment
reports later this year with some anticipation.

Within our own backyards we must build on the good work of our regional
empowerment partnerships – of which I’m delighted to say London is a strong
example – in reconnecting us all with the work of grass roots community
organisations.

London has nearly 27,000 registered charities but tens of thousands more
community groups, reacting instantly to community need and surviving on budgets
that in many other sectors wouldn’t cover the cost of a conference.

With the help of these grass roots networks voluntary groups must continue to
work in partnership with our local and regional statutory colleagues, whose
needs we must in turn appreciate and consider as they seek to narrow the gaping
void between central government vision and local government reality.

We must create our own momentum, support change where it benefits our
communities and hold LSPs and others to account where it does not.

We have the tools. Hazel was quite helpful there.

-Gethyn Williams is Policy and Networks Manager at London Voluntary Service
Council (LVSC) and writes in a personal capacity. The views expressed above are
not necessarily those of LVSC.

Upcoming Events

Please see below for a selection of upcoming events and training opportunities.
London Civic Forum events are listed in blue.

Equalities and Sustainability in London Planning
16 July 2009; 10am-4.30pm
Cost: free
Open to all

The London Plan, the Mayor of London's strategic planning document, is being
rewritten and will be available for public consultation later in 2009. London
Civic Forum and the Just Space Planning Network have organised this free
consultation event as an opportunity for groups concerned with equalities, the
environment and sustainability to influence the early stages of the London Plan.
Read more here... ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3R-0/c.aspx )

Shifting Control? The Conservative vision for local government
13 July 2009; 10am-3pm
Cost: £150 for LGiU affiliates; £250 other
Open to anyone interested in the implications of the Conservative Party Green
Paper on Local Government

Following the recent publication of the Conservative Party's Green Paper on
Local Government, 'Shifting Control: Returning Power to Local Communities', the
Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) have organised this event to help
participants better understand the propals set out in the Green Paper and their
implications.
Read more here... ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3Q-0/c.aspx )

Promoting Local Democracy: Involving and Reconnecting Communities
14 July 2009; 9am-4.30pm
Cost: £240+ VAT for VCS; £379+ VAT for local authorities and public sector
organisations
Open to all

Local authorities now have an explicit obligation under the new Duty to Involve
to consult with individuals on issues that affect them and provide opportunities
for them to influence decisions. Organised by Neil Stewart Associates and
supported by Ipsos MORI, Community Matters and CLG, this conference will bring
together central and local government to learn how to involve communities in
local decision making.
Read more here... ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3P-0/c.aspx )

Skills for Community Leadership
15 July 2009; 10am- 3pm
Cost: £150 + VAT LGiU affiliates; £250 + VAT others
Open to councillors wishing to build on their work as community leaders and
engage more with communities, and officers involved in supporting members or
with responsibility for managing neighbourhood or area arrangements or engaging
with the community

Organised by the Local Government Information Unit, this seminar will provide an
overview of community leadership and give opportunities for participants the
implications for their roles in engaging with the community.
Read more here... ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3O-0/c.aspx )

Communities Assets Enterprise 2009
Surviving and Thriving: Local Solutions to the Global Crisis
13 September - 15 September 2009
Cost: varies
Open to all, but will be of particular interest to staff and trustees of
development trusts, new deal for communities programmes, housing associations,
local authorities and regional and national policy makers

This three day seminar is organised by Development Trusts Association and will
include practitioner-led workshops, seminars looking at ground breaking
community projects from across the UK, and visits to leading development trusts
in London.
Read more here... ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3N-0/c.aspx )

Have Your Say

The Way Forward- A Call for Action to End Violence Against Women
Closes: 20 July 2009

As part of his pledge to make London safer for all Londoners, Mayor Boris
Johnson has released 'The Way Forward', a consultation document outlining the
mayor's strategy for preventing violence against women in the capital. The
document integrates the work of the police, local authorities, community
organisations and others together to produce a single strategy for ending
violence and tackling a range of crimes experienced by women and girls in London
every day.

To have your views heard, please visit the GLA's website and take part in an
online questionnaire ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3M-0/c.aspx ). To
download a copy of 'The Way Forward', please click here (
http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3L-0/c.aspx ) or read more about the Mayor's
strategy here. ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3K-0/c.aspx )

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People's Question Time
Building a Road to Economic Recovery
Supporting Local Businesses through the Recession
22 July 2009; 7pm-8.30pm
Open to all

The Mayor of London will take questions around the issue of economic recovery
and how local businesses and residents can support each other through this
difficult economic time.
Read more here... ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3J-0/c.aspx )

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The London Housing Strategy
Closes: 31 August 2009

The Mayor of London recently published the draft Housing Strategy for public
consultation. The strategy sets out proposals on how the Mayor plans to produce
more affordable homes, increase opportunities for home ownership, improve homes
and neighbourhoods and tackle empty homes.
Read more here ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3I-0/c.aspx ) or download a
copy of the draft strategy here. (
http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3H-0/c.aspx )

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Equality Bill- Making It Work
Closes: 30 September 2009

In June 2009, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) published a consultation
document setting out policy proposals for the specific public sector equality
duties. Comments and responses to this consultation are invited.

To download a copy of 'The Equality Bill- Making It Work', please click here (
http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3G-0/c.aspx ). Read the full press release
here. ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3F-0/c.aspx )

In Your Area

Local Consultation- Wandsworth
Clapham Junction- Street Improvements
Open to anyone living or working in the borough.

The London Borough of Wandsworth has proposed a scheme to improve the Clapham
Junction area, making it a more efficient, attractive and safer for pedestrians
and cyclists. The council is seeking the views of all who live or work in the
borough to share their views on these proposals by taking part in a short online
questionnaires.
Read more here... ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3E-0/c.aspx ) or complete
the questionnaire here.  ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3D-0/c.aspx )

Local Consultation- Greenwich
Proposed Dog Control Orders
Closes: 10 August 2009
Open to all residents of Greenwich

The London Borough of Greenwich has published a new consultation on proposed dog
control orders based on the feedback received from residents in response to its
previous proposals. The council is seeking views from residents on the new
proposals.
Read more here... ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3C-0/c.aspx )

Did You Know?

Comprehensive Community Engagement Strategies

In London, 16 local authorities have chosen NI4 (defined as the percentage of
people who feel able to influence decisions in their locality) under their Local
Area Agreements, thereby signifying their commitment to improving the state of
empowerment in their locality. The development of a Comprehensive Community
Engagement Strategy (CCES) is now considered essential to accomplishing this
objective; by establishing a more coordinated and coherant approach to community
empowerment in the area, local authorities are able to work more efficiently to
promote the benefits of empowerment to all affected partners and most
importantly, to the community.

The development of a Comprehensive Community Engagement Strategy is recognised
as best practice by many voluntary organisations and statutory agencies. As part
of its commitment to improving the quality, coordination and evidence of
community empowerment in London, the London Empowerment Partnership, Involve and
Capital Ambition will soon be launching a training and mentoring programme for
engagement leads in local authorities who desire further guidance and support on
how to develop their community engagement strategy.

The training will run from July 2009 to October 2009, and will involve a series
of three workshops in addition to individualised mentoring. There are still a
few places left on the course, so please email Natalie
(natalie at londoncivicforum.org.uknatalie at londoncivicforum.org.uk) if you would like to be
involved. For more information about Comprehensive Community Engagement
Strategies,
please click here. ( http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-3X1WD-FM3B-0/c.aspx )

We Need You!

The London Empowerment Partnership is keen to ensure that information about
community empowerment and engagement is shared and discussed as widely as
possible. If you would like to publicise the work of your organisation or
advertise an event or training opportunity in this bulletin, please email
Natalie at natalie at londoncivicforum.org.uknatalie at londoncivicforum.org.uk.

Contact Us

Hannah Peaker
London Empowerment Partnership Co-ordinator
tel: 020 8709 9775
email: hannah at londoncivicforum.org.uk

Natalie Murr
Civic Engagement Project Support Officer
tel: 020 8709 9772
email: natalie at londoncivicforum.org.uk<font face="Verdana" color="#ffffff"
size="2">natalie at londoncivicforum.org.uk</font>

Can’t read this email? Click here http://dmtrk.com/JD-1DNB-E23X1WDC9/cr.aspx

see also message about future of London Civic Forum from circular last week:

London Civic Forum

A Message from the Chair, Andrew Wakefield

‘Many thanks to members of LCF and staff who met on 22nd June to discuss the
loss of funding from the Greater London Authority. At the time of the meeting we
had not received the formal answer from the Mayor to a question put at assembly
question time on June 17th.That reply has now been put on the GLA website and
confirms that the Mayor has no plans for funding London Civic Forum.    Lots of
good ideas came out of the meeting which the next council and executive will
need to progress along with the honorary officers.

The elections for the next two year period takes place over the summer and you
will soon be receiving first stage notification about this. Please give serious
consideration to standing for the Council or as honorary officers so that as
many sectors of London Civic Forum's membership can be involved in taking the
Forum forward for the next two years.  The Annual General Meeting will be on the
7th September. This will also be the first meeting of the new Council, from
which the new Executive Committee will be elected. Please put the date in your
diary and join us for this very important occasion.’

Inquiries: info at londoncivicforum.org.uk

020 8709 9770