iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

every epstein file drop underscores how elite power operates through shared socio-economic networks, regardless of people's ideological differences, populist posturing, or public feuds

383297956470

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Common Wealth @cmmonwealth.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

“Single-family rentals now account for 40% of all investment in the booming build-to-rent sector.” Read Adam Almeida in @theguardian.com on how the build-to-rent sector is changing — while the public still lose out to institutional investors. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.com

Wall Street landlords have met a surprising opponent in Trump. So why is Starmer courting them? | Adam Almeida

To win votes, Trump can afford to face up to corporate power – to deliver his promised 1.5m homes, Starmer can’t, says writer and researcher Adam Almeida

232

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

'Communities must have the right to own environmental assets' Great letter from @tomchance.bsky.social of the Community Land Trust Network to @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social, asking her to amend the Devolution Bill to strengthen Community Right to Buy: www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/news-and-eve...

communitylandtrusts.org.uk

Communities must have the right to own environmental assets | Community Land Trust Network

We have written on behalf of 100s of community land trusts to urge the government to add 'environmental interests' to the definition of Assets of ...

26530

Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Delighted to say I have won gold at the National Community Radio Awards for The Saxonvale Saga, broadcast on @fromefm.bsky.social.

361

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Somerset Confidential @somersetconf.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Here's our latest podacst: Somerset Spotlight - No 5 Anna Sabine, MP for Frome and East Somerset talks to Sam Saunders (Fome FM) and Andrew Lee (Somerset Confidential). somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-s...

somersetconfidential.substack.com

Somerset Spotlight - No 5

Anna Sabine, MP for Frome and East Somerset talks to Sam Saunders (Fome FM) and Andrew Lee (Somerset Confidential).

002

Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

Happy to announce that I am a finalist for the 2025 National Community Radio Awards for The #Saxonvale Saga', broadcast on #FromeFM and nominated in the News, Journalism & Factual Storytelling of the Year category. The awards ceremony is in Bradford on the 25th October. Fingers crossed. #CRAs2025

010

Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

@somersetconf.bsky.social and I had a great chat with @somersetcouncil.bsky.social Cllr Theo Butt Philip, lead member for transformation, first broadcast on #FromeFM. In it we we cover: -Theo's background in local politics in Somerset. \/ 1/3 somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-s...

somersetconfidential.substack.com

Somerset Spotlight - No 4

Theo Butt-Philip faces questions about Somerset Council's transformation

242

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

'Redruth Revival’s development strategy was not driven by short-term commercial gain, but instead by a self-imposed mandate to assist with supporting long-term community resilience.' > and they've delivered something rather special. architecturetoday.co.uk/the-butterma... @archhfund.org.uk

architecturetoday.co.uk

The Buttermarket - Architecture Today

Somerset-based practice Thread has ‘re-revealed’ a collection of historic buildings in Redruth, North Cornwall, to create a vibrant hub for artists, food entrepreneurs and the local community.

024

Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

I find local government fascinating. Underreported on at best, ignored at worst, yet it has a central role in two of the biggest crises facing the UK: housing and social care. Questions about democracy, accountability and transparency are just as pertinent at this layer of government.

120

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Mayday Saxonvale @maydaysaxonvale.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

"Community-led development has been bubbling up for decades. I'm firmly convinced it's the answer to the UK's housing crisis. It's huge for Frome. But this is a moment of consequence for the whole country." youtu.be/Go3DdslosdY

youtu.be

Mayday Saxonvale wins bid to buy the Frome Site from Somerset council

YouTube video by Mayday Saxonvale

031

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 29/01/2025

Today the Chancellor is talking about growth. We've joined forces with leaders locally and nationally to make a clear call to back community ownership and drive growth people can see and feel in their local area. Read our letter 🖊️ buff.ly/40O3GdP

12413

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Locality @locality.org.uk · 22/01/2025

New data from @cmmonwealth.bsky.social shows more support for energy projects if they are community-owned. The Local Power Plan should drive a community-owned clean energy revolution, creating new jobs, income, and lower energy costs for local people. www.common-wealth.org/publications...

common-wealth.org

The Public is Enthusiastic for Community Energy | Update | Common Wealth

New YouGov polling shows widespread public support for the creation of community owned, renewable energy projects.

064

Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Now Mayday can buy the site the exciting stuff can happen...test casing a new way of doing development at scale...community-led and first.

142

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

1. There are many things I’m glad to leave behind on X, but most of them come down to this: loyalism. Regardless of ideology, those who tend to be most abusive, unpleasant and vicious are staunch loyalists of particular figures, factions or policies. 🧵

2363384

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

This is probably the most important domestic political story at the moment. Gilt yields being this high is going to kill the already shaky public finances. It risks making an already difficult spending review impossible.

1515260

Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

#Council's in the last decade were able to, and were encouraged, to borrow unlimited money from the #Treasury through the Public Works Loans Board to make investments. Imagine if they were allowed to borrow that money to build new social housing...

021

Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

1/ Councils through Section 106 can make developers build affordable homes on a development which are then sold to Housing Associations (HAs) for social rent. Such deals have been the single largest method of affordable housing delivery in England since 2015.

lgcplus.com

REVEALED: How section 106 crisis is threatening affordable housing delivery

Though some councils are doing what they can, thousands of homes are standing empty as a result of p...

100

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Jay Cockburn @jaycockburn.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

Bring it on. Pollute your platforms to unusability. Kill Instagram and Facebook. They don't make us happy, hari kari and be done with it all.

041

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

These letter-writers show how our imaginations are still in chains when it comes to community ownership. A Scottish-style Community Right to Buy is about buying up *private* land & buildings, and making them community assets. Not transferring public assets. www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

theguardian.com

Why we should beware a ‘community right to buy’ | Letters

Letters: Communities shouldn’t have to buy assets they have already paid for, says Donald Stavert scam and Alan Hall says it mustn’t be used as a cover story for council underfunding. Plus letters fro...

25813

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Glorious early colour footage of English farming before mechanisation; you get a sense of how many people still worked in the fields during harvest time less than a century ago. 'English Harvest', 1938 www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcyz...

youtube.com

English Harvest (1938)

YouTube video by BFI

129517

Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

It will be interesting to see if Com Right To Buy will extend to land, as the white paper references smaller scale acquisitions (like buildings) only, AFAIK.

010

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

We're Right Here @right-here.org · 16/12/2024

CAMPAIGN WIN! Since our launch, we’ve campaigned for a Community Right to Buy. Today, the Government has committed to implementing this policy. 🥳 Well done to everyone involved in the campaign. This is the beginning of a community power moment! www.right-here.org/devolution-w...

13311

Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

An excellent argument for why communities should seek to enhance rather than reduce their power within the planning system. "by opening out the planning process to enable more and deeper community involvement, it is possible to build consensus rather than create opposition"

030

Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Local Government Audit is in Crisis - Just 1% of local bodies published audited accounts on time for the 2022/23 financial year. - The backlog prompted the NAO last month to refuse to sign off the Government’s spending for the first time in history 🧵 1/6 open.substack.com/pub/samuelsa...

open.substack.com

Local Government's Audit Crisis

A decade on from the closure of the Audit Commission and local government audit is in crisis.

110

Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

2019: a report led by @georgemonbiot.bsky.social,commissioned by the Labour party, argued for changes in the way land is used and controlled in the UK. With the upcoming devolution white paper and reform of NPPF, I'll highlight some of the recommendations, more important now than ever. 🧵

100

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Matt Leach @mattleach.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Great stuff from Andy Haldane in the @financialtimes.com. Whether at a neighbourhood level or the nation state, we need to rediscover the importance of #socialcapital www.ft.com/content/97c1...

extract from Andy Haldane article on social capital for the Financial Times

064

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

New Local @wearenewlocal.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

It’s not NIMBYs preventing new development – it’s a system that creates conflict by design. Our new report argues that meaningful community engagement can reduce opposition, speed up development & create thriving, liveable places. 🔗

buff.ly

Constructing Consensus: The case for community-powered development and regeneration - New Local

How can community power unlock our fraught planning system?

034

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Michael Dnes @roadscholar.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Does HS2 have a future? And why does that question hinge on an unseen government document and a sugar mill in Nottinghamshire?

24371153

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Ed Conway @edconway.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

🚗What's happening to Europe's car industry is one of the biggest stories in the world right now, & prob the biggest story of next year too. A slow motion implosion driven by multiple factors (esp Chinese competition). Watch my primer on what's going on👇 youtu.be/oW_SXIVQT5I?...

youtu.be

What's behind Europe's car industry crisis? | Ed Conway analysis

YouTube video by Sky News

2219485

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Richard Benwell @richardbenwell.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Low-carbon tech, housing, sustainable agriculture and nature-recovery can be delivered together with intelligent planning. Here's hoping for a land use framework that: 🎄allocates space for nature 🎄links to planning decisions & incentives 🎄pools developer funds for nature.

2174

Reposted by Samuel Saunders

Somerset Confidential @somersetconf.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

How much? Exactly how much farmland has been lost in #Somerset. @SomersetCouncil has no idea so we thought we'd take a look.... somerset.substack.com/p/how-much

somerset.substack.com

How much?

We take a look at exactly how much farmland is being lost to development in Somerset.

231

Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Once again Section 123 is used by #Somerset Council to justify selling land to developers rather than the community in #Frome. If the council has no choice, due to the risk of legal challenge, the law should change to favour community benefit over profit. www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerse...

somersetlive.co.uk

Beloved green space can't be sold to locals to prevent new homes

"This is not the action of a council that 'listens to you' and 'cares for the most vulnerable'"

000

Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

In #Frome, #Somerset, a not-for-profit is close to becoming the first #community-led development at masterplan level. The mixed-use development of the 12 acre #brownfield site could become a new model for communities across the country. shows.acast.com/66a2308999c0...

shows.acast.com

The Saxonvale Saga

Exploring the development drama and community stakes behind Somerset Council's pivotal decision for Frome

141

Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

The forthcoming English #devolution white paper will include a "strong new right to buy for valued community assets, which will help local people to acquire valued community spaces when they come up for sale, keeping them in the hands of the local community".

000

Samuel Saunders @samuel-saunders.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

#Somerset Council leader Bill Revans is writing to the local government minister to "explore the case" for increasing council tax past the referendum limit. Somerset asked the previous government for an "unprecedented" 10% rise in council tax for 2024-25 in January but this request was refused. 1/2

101