Third Sector Assembly 21st September 2012

The Localism Act

Can it work for us?Moseley Community Development Trust

Registered charity no. 1087949

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About us

Driving social change Committed to community

enterprise Developing assetsIndependent

Local community anchor organisation.

Local neighbourhood forum helped to create the DT

Key members of Locality in the region

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The new context for our work?

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decentralisation

Shift power away from central government to

local people 4

Decentralisation and the Localism Bill, HM Government, December 2010

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The Government’s Localism ActRoyal assent on 15th Nov 2011

1. New freedoms and flexibilities for local government

2. New rights and powers for communities and individuals

3. Reform of the planning system4. Reform to ensure that decisions

about housing are taken locally

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New Community Rights

Right to Build

Right to Bid

Right to challenge

Neighbourhood planning

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RIGHT TO BID delay the sale and bid to buy assets of community value

RIGHT TO BIDSounds great; our questions:

‘Community’ geography?Timing -6 months not longRelationships LA, owners, communityConditions of buildingLA decides community value

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RIGHT TO CHALLENGE challenge and take over a council service you

think can be better run

RIGHT TO CHALLENGESounds great; our questions:

Do we want to deliver public services? If we do, how do we fit in with procurement ?Risks in launching procurement process ?Best bidders, may not be best providers?Trojan Horses & Bid Candy; corporate charities and

private sector companies?

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RIGHT TO BUILD small scale, site-specific developments without planning permission

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING Neighbourhood planning powers give people the chance to decide how their local area should develop and what should be built.

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NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNINGSounds great; our questions :

Access to expertise – will we get any? Capacity - does our community have enough?Managing expectations- can’t buck approved

planning policy? “Nimbyism” Consensus- often hard to get in communities?What makes a ‘valid’ Neighbourhood forum?

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Our Learning to Date• Resources and skills in the public and third sector• Culture change and partnership• Motivated and supportive Councillors• Local leaders• Community participation and

inclusion• Funding • It’s not a quick process• It’s early days

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Challenges & Opportunities

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Challenges

Rights not well known yet

Competition brings private sector in as well

Shrinking marketPotential for conflict

with LARights don’t always

empower

Opportunities

Starts bottom up approachHelps participationEncourages ownershipCan help recycling wealth

within neighbourhood.Greater collaborationNew venturesBetter servicesGreater resiliencePromote equality

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Progress in Birmingham

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Birmingham City CouncilIt’s early daysDiscussions between senior officers and members

have begun.Likely to develop protocols next year. Localisation and CATThere will be a learning phase and opportunities for

collaboration – engage with the 3rd sector?

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Neighbourhood Planning2 pilots in Birmingham, Handsworth/Soho and Balsall

HeathBH will be complete next yearTensions between LA and communityUnderstanding the Planning SystemResources, technical skillsIt’s a slow process

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Capturing Community Voices

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Issues and Lessons from MoseleyEnsuring community priorities and vision can be

retained through processResources to undertake the processConformityMeans to achieve ambitions? - ownership of land, property, assets - a problem at the heart of “localism” more generally

but especially relevant in Moseley

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Progress elsewhereRedevelop a former milk processing plant as a low

carbon live/work space – Totnes, DevonCommunity Library Service – HuddersfieldSeaside town neighbourhood plan – Lynton and

Lynmouth, Exmoor.Community Hospital, created by residents to be

protected – Cranleigh, Surrey.

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mycommunityrights.org.uk

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Local support agenciesLocality members: Birmingham Settlement, Moseley

CDT, Norton Hall, Heartlands Older Peoples Forum, Come_Unity Arts, Witton Lodge Community Association, Castle Vale Tenants and Residents Alliance

Asset Transfer UnitBVSCDigbeth TrustChamberlain ForumBirmingham City Council

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What next?Third sector needs to survive if it’s to engageEach has to decide its position on public service cuts,

enterprise and the growth of the big societySupport services to help understanding at the

grassrootsDevelop a dialogue with the City Council’s

localisation plans.

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Anna Hraboweckyj and Tony Thaparwww.MoseleyCDT.com, 0121 449 6060or administrator@MoseleyCDT.com

www.Locality.org.uk

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