Good conversations: successful communities, better services - Positioning Paper
Article
Community engagement and empowerment - or 'good conversations' - has been on the policy agenda for some time. But as the UK moves into an era of budget restraint policymakers are asking themselves whether the time for good conversations has come, or if they are a luxury we can no longer afford.
The government's twin agendas of the Big Society and localism bode well for good conversations remaining on the policy agenda. But as the realities of the public sector budget cuts hits there is a risk that good conversations will fall by the wayside.
It is imperative that cuts are made with long term improvement in mind, not just quick cashable savings. Local authorities, and their partners, need to find radically different ways of working over the coming years. The redesign of services must be founded on the basis of good conversations.
Related items
Taking stock: Counting the economic costs of alcohol harm
Alcohol consumption across the UK is increasing. Government and employers must act to address the health risks.A people-focussed future for transport in England
Our findings from three roundtables on the impact of transport in people’s lives and the priorities for change.Progressive renewal: The Global Progress Action Summit
A quarter of the way through this century, change is in the air. Everyone, everywhere, seemingly all at once, wants out of the status quo.