Transforming Neighbourhoods: Research

The papers below were written between April 2005 and March 2006 as part of the Transforming Neighbourhoods programme.

Our research about neighbourhoods and community governance covers a wide range of policy questions,  from how neighbourhoods should be involved in service delivery to how neighbourhood action should be funded. 

How local government devolves and why. Part one: why work in neighbourhoods and communities?
This briefing, commissioned by LGA and IDeA, looks at why local government devolves, decentralises and empowers, the impact this can have and the strategies councils have adopted to engage with their citizens.

How local government devolves and why. Part two: developing local strategies
This briefing, commissioned by LGA and IDeA, outlines the building-blocks, tactics and approaches which can make up local authority strategies to engaging with communities. It is illustrated by numerous case studies of best practice, many from the Young Foundation's Transforming Neighbourhoods programme.

Parliamentary Inquiry into the Role of Councillors – Evidence from the Young Foundation
This paper draws together evidence from the Young Foundation’s Transforming Neighbourhoods programme and research for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, about the role of elected members in neighbourhood working and how this role is likely to change as neighbourhood working becomes more embedded in Local Authority working practices. This was submitted to the All Party Parliamentary Group Inquiry into the Role of Councillors in March 2007.
March 2007

Where’s the Money?: Neighbourhood governance and the future of local finance
This paper presents recommendations on how the reform of local public finance in England can reflect the government’s plans for a strengthened tier of neighbourhood governance.
November 2006

Managing the risks of neighbourhood governance
This report puts forward a framework for managing the risks of neighbourhood governance.
October 2006

Local democracy and neighbourhood governance
This report draws on the Young Foundation’s research with local authorities around England to explore how neighbourhood governance can underpin the wider system of local democracy in the future.
July 2006

The potential for neighbourhood involvement in service delivery
This paper, released in parallel with our exploration of neighbourhood governance, sets out recommendations for communities to play a significant role in designing, planning and delivering local public services. Our analysis suggests that widespread localisation of public services could bring significant performance improvements and deliver a wide range of benefits to communities; among others, giving people more control over the issues and services that affect their daily lives and creating opportunities for local enterprise and economic regeneration by opening up new local markets for public services.
July 2006

Tools and processes for neighbourhood problem solving
This report reviews the role of neighbourhood charters and calls for action in a repertoire of practical tools for neighbourhood problem-solving. The paper proposes ideas for next-generation scrutiny and neighbourhood inquiries, and considers the use of petition-based community initiatives to tackle problems and propose improvements and innovations.
February 2006

What is the Role for the Community in Neighbourhood Governance?
This report summarises the main points of discussion from a seminar about the role for community organisations in neighbourhood governance, hosted by the Young Foundation, bassac and the Community Development Foundation.

Neighbourhood Governance
A review of the possibilities for neighbourhood governance in England.
November 2005