Category: Resources
At a time when significant changes were underway in the institutional framework for regional economic development, including a ‘more strategic’ role for Regional Development Agencies and a bigger role for local authorities, the
North West TUC commissioned us to draft a
briefing (
pdf 337KB) for the TUC website. This summarised the then Government’s proposals for implementing the Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration and the wider policy context including proposals for learning and skills budgets. Opportunities for trades unions to influence policy and investment were highlighted and explored in a workshop with trade union officers. The briefing mapped key organisations and partnerships in the North West and set out trade union involvement in these. It also provided a full listing of relevant partnerships and developments within the region.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=184
Research for CLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) into factors driving changes in information, analysis and research in local government and how local, regional and national partners have been responding to these (with Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion – OCSI – and Demographic Decisions). Recommendations related to:
- streamlining and opening up access to data
- improved packaging of datasets and analyses to meet user needs
- action to avoid pitfalls in accessing and comparing data from related websites
- improvements in national indicator sets to reflect what is needed and measurable at locality and neighbourhood levels
- promotion of good practice in data sharing and use of geodemographic classifications
- action to develop skills amongst researchers and analysts, including a skills framework and support for use of applications such as cost benefit analysis – as well as steps to encourage ‘intelligent customers’, influencing how decision-makers view and use what analysts have to offer
- embedding local research and analysis functions in the search for improved services and outcomes in local authorities and partnerships
The
report (1,996 KB) was
published by CLG in January 2009. The recommendations have been worked through in a number of contexts, including at national level involving the LGA, CLG, Audit Commission, etc. The report has influenced the work of Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships and decisions taken at local level to strengthen R&I capacity and collaboration. Derrick Johnstone facilitated a national workshop in December 2009 to review progress against recommendations.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=183
Evaluation of ‘Bedfordshire: Towards 2021’ (
pdf – 613KB) – a training and development programme targeted at key professionals to enable them to develop skills needed to deliver the Sustainable Communities agenda in Bedfordshire and Luton. The programme, developed by Luton and Dunstable Partnership, took its inspiration from the findings of the
Egan Review, ‘Skills for Sustainable Communities’, which highlighted the need to enable people to widen their knowledge, enable partnership working and create a new breed of all-round regeneration worker.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=181
Changing Practices: A Good Practice Guide for Businesses Locating in Deprived Areas – a case study-based guide highlighting how businesses can adapt their practices to bring benefits for the company and benefits for the community in regeneration areas. Produced for the British Retail Consortium and the then ODPM Neighbourhood Renewal Unit, and published by Communities and Local Government (
Research Report 6 pdf 794KB).
Also Part 2
Case studies (
pdf 794KB) and
Summary (
pdf 138KB)
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=179
Renewal.net was developed by the then Neighbourhood Renewal Unit as an on-line guide to what works in neighbourhood renewal. Published by the Department for Communities and Local Government, it included topic overviews, how to guides, case studies, project summaries and much more. Educe contributed subject overviews in the ‘Reviving Local Economies’ theme, on Business Development; Land, Property and Planning; and Engaging Employers – along with a number of case studies. Other items include an overview on Data Sharing, and a case study of Data Sharing and the Wigan and Leigh Community Safety Partnership (2005). Most Renewal.net documents were subsequently incorporated into the IDeA Partnerships and Places Library.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=178
Final reports from our evaluation of the national Skills and Knowledge for Neighbourhood Renewal programme, developed by the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit of the then ODPM. The programme sought to support performance improvement in Local Strategic Partnerships and other neighbourhood renewal partnerships, and help equip everyone with a role to play with the skills they need.
- Seeking the Lessons: an evaluation of the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit’s Skills and Knowledge Programme: Research Report 19 (
428KB) and summary ( 163KB)
There are six background reports:
Project led by Educe with University of Cambridge (Department of Land Economy), Makesfive Ltd, GFA Consulting and Infoseek.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=176
