Neighbourhood Champions!

Launch our latest research publication 'Governance, Neighbourhoods and Service Delivery', at our one day seminar at Old Trafford today. INLOGOV have done an excellent job with this research.

DCLG Minister Iain Wright MP opens proceedings with the keynote address where he concentrates mainly on the White Paper launched last week 'Real People, Real Power'. Iain praises our research and comes across as being passionate about the empowerment agenda and also makes a few lighthearted quips about Hartlepool's (his constituency)football prowess. After he has finished his spot I whisk him over to the trophy room to get his photo taken with both the Champions League and Premier League trophies.

Dr Steve Griggs of INLOGOV outlines the main findings of the research pointing out that the Neighbourhoods agenda is not a panacea for all policy problems, but that it can deliver benefits in terms of public engagement and involvement in public services, via the medium of the local elected member. He also mentions that it looks at some theoretical models of neighbourhoods.

In the next session, which I chair, David Mallaby from Blackburn and Nick Kavanagh and Ken Harrison from Knowsley, discuss the neighbourhood management models that both authorities have put in place. This puts a lot of flesh on the bones of the theory and generates a great deal of debate amongst the delegates.

All in all its a good event with over 140 delegates present with most staying the full day and participating in the afternoon workshops.