“We need to respect the small, human-sized, places where we live, where we can connect with neighbours, make decisions together, get to grip with local problems and really make a difference. We need to establish neighbourhoods as a fundamental part of our democratic infrastructure, with real powers and the ability to involve all citizens in decision-making rather than merely representative democracy.”

On Wednesday 24th September Citizen Network and People Focused Group published Neighbourhoods of Care. This is a strategy setting out how to radically reorganise our systems of health and social care alongside an agenda for action in South Yorkshire. The aim is to advance citizenship for all and create truly inclusive flourishing neighbourhoods.

"Strong neighbourhoods and communities are vital to drive growth. Strong social capital contributes to improved socio-economic outcomes in wellbeing, education, crime and health. It also fosters innovation, reducing transaction costs and facilitating better decision-making."

As Citizen Network set out a plan for South Yorkshire, neighbourhoods have also been the focus of a new programme from the UK Government. Several neighbourhood funding plans have been brought under the theme of the 'Pride in Place'. The latest investment was informed by the work of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods, which drew on a lot of other research in pushing for prioritising struggling areas. I've done a summary of the programme here:

The Pride in Place funding will be allocated to different activities by ‘Neighbourhood Boards’. There has been varying success in how boards like this connect with the communities they are supposed to be a voice for. Rachael Conway of Re:State has set out how they need to be inclusive, accountable and action-oriented to really work. Similarly, James Plunkett argues for a more outcome-based approach instead, allowing things to organically grow alongside leadership developed from the community:

“Overly formal or artificial governance is often a waste of time. In fact, it can be worse than this: bad governance can be a blocker, slowing down delivery, hindering the flow of intelligence, and making it harder for people to exercise, and feel, ownership … if governance looks tidy, it is probably unhealthy.”

Pride In Place is the latest in a long line of investment in neighbourhoods. Perhaps the programme with the largest amount of evidence gathered on how it worked and the impact made is Big Local. The importance of people feeling ownership was one of the lessons for success for this kind of investment, very similar to Pride In Place. Other lessons for success include the need for areas to:

Value people’s skills and connections and work to grow them over time, for both people in the area and with organisations outside the area.

Work together towards a clear vision and managing conflict in robust decision-making structures that also engage ordinary residents.

Build a sense of pride and belonging through community activities that give a sense of identity.

Have ownership of buildings that provide a place for working together and a base for other activities.

The next #DoWith Neighbourhoods conversation, at 1:30pm on Thursday 16th October, will have a focus on Pride in Place. You can sign up here. Come along if you’re interested in talking with peers about the Pride in Place programme, sharing or hearing experiences of Neighbourhood Boards, Big Local, and more. We all have something to teach and lessons to learn.

Best wishes,

Jason

Jason Leman
Citizen Network - Neighbourhood Democracy Lead

Thanks to Ester Ortega for the wonderful illustration.