The government need to prioritise a ‘community power revolution’, Locality says

Ahead of the Kings Speech, Locality have launched a new manifesto which states communities should be at the forefront of any decisions affecting their areas.

Today, Locality, a national network for community organisations, have published their new manifesto ahead of their annual convention taking place in Bristol from 7^th-8^th November.

Within the new framework, which can be accessed in full here, Locality have laid bare a bold 10-year plan for a country built on thriving neighbourhoods. It argues communities are best placed to transform lives and create a fairer society, and are therefore asking for central government to pass their powers onto local authorities so they can have the final say on decisions affecting their areas.

The manifesto includes five big reforms to help encourage these changes, which are:

• Introduce a Community Power Act to strengthen community rights – this act will give new rights for communities to take control of local buildings and spaces, shape public services, and control local investment
• Create a National Community Ownership Strategy which will aim to boost community ownership and capacity from energy to housing to health
• Put communities in charge of local economic development, giving residents more control over local regeneration spending and devolving employment and skills support to the hyper-local level
• Make collaboration – not competition the guiding principle of public services
• Champion community-led housing and neighbourhood planning – giving communities a tangible stake in their neighbourhoods 

‘The last few years if volatility and crisis has led to a pessimism in our national political debate with a shrinking of the boundaries of what feels possible,’ said Tony Armstrong, chief executive of Locality, who launched the manifesto. ‘We can’t just accept this pessimism. We need a positive vision for the future and to reconnect our national debate with the reality of what is possible – not just despair at home difficult things are.’

Tony added: ‘We believe the blueprint for a better future already exists – and it’s right here on our doorstep. Across the country, Locality members have proven what is possible when local people use their imagination, energy, and abilities to make things happen in their local places.

‘Whether it’s saving much loved community buildings, setting up local services to support people into work, establishing sustainable food networks and community shops, building new homes and wind turbines, these organisations are beacons of hope – pockets of inspiration that show there is a brighter future.

‘In our manifesto we set out a bold vision for a community-powered future. Here we are proposing a series of radical reforms that put power firmly in community hands. But crucially we know it can be done because around the country, people are already doing it.’

Image: Locality 

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