Building a Stronger Society

There has been much talk in recent years about the need to strengthen society and to give power to people to take responsibility for their own lives and to improve their local communities. But apart from a few exceptions, there has been no real shift in power, and no major rise of personal responsibility to improve local communities. For Localis, a stronger society means putting real power and control back in the hands of local people. Social enterprises, charities, co-operatives and other third sector organisations are vital tools to achieve Localis’ vision to move away from monopolizing state providers to a more local and direct form of delivering support to local people. We believe there is such a thing as society, that it requires public funding and taxes, but also that the state should take a step back and allow local people to decide what is best for them and their communities.

1 Projects

Creating an environment for local enterprise to thrive

Recent Articles - Click to view

Ongoing research: Local Government and the Big Society
[Apr 13, 2011 - Work in progress]

Since David Cameron introduced the term ‘Big Society’, there has been a lot of discussion about what it does – and doesn’t – mean. The debate has spent an unhealthy amount of time in the cul de sac of ‘is it just a fig leaf for cuts’. Localis’ research focuses on the big society in its widest conce

Conservative Conference: Total Neighbourhood
[Oct 4, 2010 - Events]

A panel debate and launch of a publication with Greg Clark about how local government can support community groups in delivering better services at lower cost

Hull City Council, Youth Enterprise Bank
[May 27, 2010 - Toolkits]

Hull’s Youth Enterprise Bank (YEB) is an informal public/private/community partnership that facilitates grants to develop young people’s enterprising ideas. The Youth Enterprise Bank was set up with the support of the Council officers and members, Hull Youth Council, Chamber of Commerce, University

Councils give big welcome to 'big society'
[May 20, 2010 - Localis In The News]

New freedoms for local government to support the Government’s ‘Big Society’ have been welcomed by council leaders.

Government goes ahead with ‘power to the people’ policies
[May 20, 2010 - Localis In The News]

Recent Local Government News - Click to view

Worker co-operatives' plan
[Feb 15, 2010 - BBC]

The Tories have renewed a pledge to give public sector workers the chance to form co-operatives to run services. Staff of taxpayer-funded services, such as primary school teachers and nurses, would decide how they were run - within certain national standards.

Plan for 'John Lewis' public services
[Dec 11, 2009 - The Guardian]

Hospitals and schools would be transformed into John Lewis-style partnerships under radical plans that could form a central plank of Labour's general election manifesto

Community right to buy for residents
[Nov 20, 2009 - Daily Mail]

Residents should have the right to take over post offices, libraries, swimming pools or pubs threatened with closure, Conservatives said yesterday. Voluntary groups should have the right to buy when valued businesses and facilities are lost, they added.

• "Localis is fast gaining a reputation for pre-empting the localist agenda, producing thought provoking research and practical policy ideas"Anthony Seldon, author and political commentator
• "Localis’ commitment to decentralisation crosses party boundaries, and their research illuminates policy problems with new practical thinking"Prof George Jones, LSE
• "Localis offers a great blend of a passion for innovation, grounded practical ideas and unswerving belief in the possibilities of local governance"Derek Myers, Chief Executive, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

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