Third Sector Assembly 21 st September 2012 The Localism Act Can it work for us? Moseley Community Development Trust Registered charity no

About us Driving social change Committed to community enterprise Developing assets Independent Local community anchor organisation. Local neighbourhood forum helped to create the DT Key members of Locality in the region 2

The new context for our work? 3

decentralisation Shift power away from central government to local people 4

Decentralisation and the Localism Bill, HM Government, December

The Government’s Localism Act Royal assent on 15th Nov New freedoms and flexibilities for local government 2. New rights and powers for communities and individuals 3. Reform of the planning system 4. Reform to ensure that decisions about housing are taken locally 6

New Community Rights Right to Build Right to Bid Right to challenge Neighbourhood planning 7

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

RIGHT TO BID Sounds great; our questions : ‘ Community’ geography? Timing -6 months not long Relationships LA, owners, community Conditions of building LA decides community value 9

RIGHT TO CHALLENGE challenge and take over a council service you think can be better run

RIGHT TO CHALLENGE Sounds 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? 11

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. 12

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING Sounds 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? 13

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 14

Challenges & Opportunities 15

Challenges Rights not well known yet Competition brings private sector in as well Shrinking market Potential for conflict with LA Rights don’t always empower Opportunities Starts bottom up approach Helps participation Encourages ownership Can help recycling wealth within neighbourhood. Greater collaboration New ventures Better services Greater resilience Promote equality 16

Progress in Birmingham 17

Birmingham City Council It’s early days Discussions between senior officers and members have begun. Likely to develop protocols next year. Localisation and CAT There will be a learning phase and opportunities for collaboration – engage with the 3 rd sector? 18

Neighbourhood Planning 2 pilots in Birmingham, Handsworth/Soho and Balsall Heath BH will be complete next year Tensions between LA and community Understanding the Planning System Resources, technical skills It’s a slow process 19

Capturing Community Voices 20

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Issues and Lessons from Moseley Ensuring community priorities and vision can be retained through process Resources to undertake the process Conformity Means to achieve ambitions? - ownership of land, property, assets - a problem at the heart of “localism” more generally but especially relevant in Moseley 22

Progress elsewhere Redevelop a former milk processing plant as a low carbon live/work space – Totnes, Devon Community Library Service – Huddersfield Seaside town neighbourhood plan – Lynton and Lynmouth, Exmoor. Community Hospital, created by residents to be protected – Cranleigh, Surrey. 23

mycommunityrights.org.uk 24

Local support agencies Locality 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 Unit BVSC Digbeth Trust Chamberlain Forum Birmingham City Council 25

What next? Third sector needs to survive if it’s to engage Each has to decide its position on public service cuts, enterprise and the growth of the big society Support services to help understanding at the grassroots Develop a dialogue with the City Council’s localisation plans. 26

Anna Hraboweckyj and Tony Thapar or 27