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What would enable a more expansive appraisal of different options on the table? Where councils felt more confident to take a less-trodden path?

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I don't think (apart from in rare circumstances) that these decisions are as a result of greedy elected members or officers. But I'm interested in the drivers, mindsets and behaviours (shaped by procedure and wider context) that lead to decisions like this.

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I don't think that was the narrative I was pushing here, though. Definitely up for a chat about this, as know we're after similar outcomes. Will DM you

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‘Devastating’: council rejects Frome residents’ bid for regeneration project

For every piece of positive community ownership news - like the recent progress made by the Buy Back Brixton campaign - there is often something more dispiriting lurking round the corner. This had the potential to be one of the most exciting community-led developments in the country.

theguardian.com

Locals raised £1m for Mayday Saxonvale scheme involving homes and park but Somerset officials agreed deal with London-based real estate company

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Last but no means least, we're taking a double decker bus to conference with @right-here.org @hopenothate.org.uk @jrf-uk.bsky.social @locality.org.uk @uclpolicylab.bsky.social @theyoungfdn.bsky.social. 📍Salthouse Gates Lay-by on Monday and Tuesday 📅 Rally Tuesday 29 September 11:15am

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On Monday with @uclpolicylab.bsky.social, we'll be discussing power and place with @roswynnejones.bsky.social, Liam Kelly (Make CIC CEO and Birkenhead Pride in Place Chair), and Secretary of State at MHCLG, Angela Rayner. 📅 Monday 28 September, 5.00 to 6.00pm 📍 Arena Room Derwent (secure zone)

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Also on Sunday, I'll be joining Florence Eshalomi MP (Communities Minister), @joplatt.bsky.social and Fin Irwin to discuss where communities policy goes next. With @coopparty.party.coop 📅 Sunday 27 September, 4.00 to 5.00pm 📍 Arena Room Aire (secure zone)

First up, with @leighinghammp.bsky.social, Chris Curtis MP, Jo Cooper, Laura Onita and @jesscraig.bsky.social (Chair). 📅 Sunday 27 September, 1.00 to 2.00pm 📍 Arena Room Sherwood (secure zone)

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A quick thread on our #LPC2026 events, covering high streets, community power and pride in place, with a great set of speakers and partners, including @uclpolicylab.bsky.social @right-here.org @coopparty.party.coop ...

Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

3. Is the change we’re creating something where people can be ‘part of something’? Greater ambition needed when it comes to the scale of investment, but this passes the three tests IMO. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

politicshome.com

Devolution must go even deeper

Our data shows there is political ground to be won in not stopping at mayors and regions.

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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Last month, I set out three tests for government: 1. Is our agenda thinking as much about the ‘last mile’ of devolution as the first 100? 2. How can we apply the principles of Pride in Place to a much wider sweep of government policy?

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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The PM links new announcements on community energy with broader devolution agenda, and the role of Number 10 North. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Thoroughly recommend running down Hope Street, which connects the two cathedrals. Great view of the respective cathedral, depending which direction you run.

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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

... But we have this break down in our civic society and we really have to turn our attention to doing something about that." Gordon Brown on Today this morning, arguing that rebuilding our civic life needs to be the central cause of our time.

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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

"If the physical infrastructure, like the roads and railways, broke down, there'd be major calls for action. If the financial infrastructure, banks and ATMs, broke down, there'd be panic...

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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

It's on my reading list, Owen. Looks great!

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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Unchecked data centre proliferation fails all of the tests I proposed at the end of my recent PolHome piece. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Excellent thread, but particularly the point about the disconnect between tech policy and neighbourhoods policy.

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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Similar themes in this paper from @drjennings.bsky.social and colleagues, and my reflections in @politicshome.bsky.social on the latest data from Community Engagement Survey.

Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

I've written up my thoughts for @politicshome.bsky.social on the Community Engagement Survey and what it means for our politics. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

politicshome.com

Devolution must go even deeper

Our data shows there is political ground to be won in not stopping at mayors and regions.

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Reposted by Nick Plumb

PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

With Burnham in No 10, devolution has never been so fashionable But the current agenda, while a step in the right direction, doesn't go far enough It must not stop at mayors and regions, but go deeper: all the way to the community writes Power To Change's @nickplumb.bsky.social

politicshome.com

Devolution must go even deeper

Our data shows there is political ground to be won in not stopping at mayors and regions.

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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Late to this FT editorial from last week. Pleased the paper is increasingly of a similar view to @powertochange.org.uk and those working with us on the idea of the Civic High Street.

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Stark age divide when it comes to people's sense of their neighbourhood getting better or worse to live in.

Stark differences in trust, by index of multiple deprivation. Lots of similar charts across other measures, but contrast between most and least deprived particularly striking when talking about trust.

Despite that, we've seen a decline in how trusting people are of their neighbours. The lowest we've seen in recent years.

Increase in people's sense that people pull together to improve the neighbourhood (not quite to pandemic levels, but outside of that, the highest we've seen in recent years).

Young people and loneliness. People 75 and over almost twice as likely as 16 - 24 year olds to chat to their neighbours at least *once a month*

But significant differences when broken down by ethnicity. Chinese and GRT - significantly below average sense of belonging to immediate neighbourhood. Bangladeshi and Pakistani (Indian and White British too, but less significantly) - above average sense of belonging to immediate neighbourhood.

Stable sense of neighbourhood belonging, on average

When people are not proud of their local areas, what are the reasons for this? > Sense of disrespect / ASB > Physical appearance of a place > Safety concerns > Lack of community

Note slight differences in people's satisfaction (as opposed to pride) with their local area as a place to live - slightly more positive, but a decline in sentiment over past 8 years.

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Regional differences in local pride (note contrast to regional ability to affect change findings).

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As ever, significant difference in how people feel about their local area, compared to country at large. >> See YouGov poll (left)- In what kind of state would you say Britain in general is in at the moment? >> and local pride findings (right)

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And a sharp jump the importance people place on feeling they have the ability to influence decisions affecting their local area. Worth considering in context of Burnham's devo push.

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