New Local, formerly known as the New Local Government Network, is an independent British

think tank A think tank, or public policy institute, is a research institute that performs research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, technology, and culture. Most think tanks are non-governme ...

and

local government Local government is a generic term for the lowest tiers of governance or public administration within a particular sovereign state. Local governments typically constitute a subdivision of a higher-level political or administrative unit, such a ...

network. Founded in 1996, it is based in

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

, and brings together over 60 councils and other organisations aiming to transform public services and unlock community power.

Membership

New Local's network comprises councils across

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

of all tiers and with diverse political leadership; and corporate partners. Network members are united by their appetite for innovation, a willingness to embrace change and passion to simply do things better. Frequent peer-led events give members the opportunity to meet to explore different ways of working and new approaches. New Local's network also inspires much of its research work, which frequently draws examples and case studies from members.

Publications

*''Community Commissioning: Shaping Public Services through People Power'' *''From Tiny Acorns: Communities Shaping the Future of Children’s Services'' *''Cultivating Local Inclusive Growth: In Practice'' *''Communities vs. Coronavirus: The Rise of Mutual Aid'' *''Think Big, Act Small: Think Big, Act Small: Elinor Ostrom’s radical vision for community power'' *''This Isn’t Working: reimagining employment support for people facing complex disadvantage'' *''The Community Paradigm: Why public services need radical change and how it can be achieved''

''The Community Paradigm''

At the heart of New Local's work is the belief in community power – the idea that people themselves should have more power and resources to shape their own futures. This imagines very different, collaborative ways of working for public services, and a much more decentralised system of governance. Its 2019 publication ''The Community Paradigm'' proposed a fundamental shift of power and resources towards the people, places and communities. This 'paradigm shift' is needed because: * Public services today face a threat of rising demand. They are struggling to cope with a rapidly aging population, combined with reducing resources. * Faith in democratic legitimacy and central Government is declining. * People expect to exercise more control over their day-to-day lives – and can do so using technology. New Local believes that people and communities themselves have the best insight into their own situation, and public services need to work with and recognise this if they are to be fit for purpose and sustainable into the future. There are many places in the UK and across the world where community power is beginning to flourish. Here, people are taking matters into their own hands – often working in partnership with public services and local government to build better services and places to live.

People

New Local's chief executive is Adam Lent, previously the director of the RSA Action and Research Centre, head of economics and social affairs at the

Trades Union Congress The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is a national trade union center, national trade union centre, a federation of trade unions that collectively represent most unionised workers in England and Wales. There are 48 affiliated unions with a total of ...

and director of research and innovation at Ashoka. Other board members include: *Donna Hall, Chair of Bolton NHS Trust (Chair) *Chris Ham, Co-Chair, NHS Assembly *Claire Kennedy, Managing Director and Co-founder, PPL *Catherine Mangan, Director, Public Services Academy *Jacqui McKinlay, Director, Centre for Governance and Scrutiny *Robert Pollock, Director of

Social Finance Social finance is a category of financial services that aims to leverage private capital to address challenges in areas of social and environmental need. Having gained popularity after the 2008 financial crisis, it is notable for its public benefit ...

* Tony Travers, Director of LSE London Former directors include Simon Parker and

Chris Leslie Christopher Michael Leslie (born 28 June 1972) is a British business executive and former politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Shipley from 1997 to 2005 and Nottingham East from 2010 to 2019. A former member of the La ...

, former Labour MP for Shipley, between 2005 and his re-election to Parliament for Nottingham East in the general election of 2010. Dan Corry was director between 2002 and 2005.

References

External links