Publications Publications
We produce a wide range of publications from research reports to policy briefings, as well as our members' magazine, Clearway, and a monthly Policy Round-Up. Our Handy Guides provide practical information covering topics such as LSPs, Planning and local government. All our publications are designed to provide accessible and relevant information to help you get to the heart of what matters.
Don't know your Handy Guide from your Briefing? Read our explanation of what our different publications are.
In July 2010 the Coalition Government announced new Structural Reform Plan. These outline how each department will implement proposals in the Coalition Agreement, including on localism, public service reform, and the Big Society.
The Structural Reform Plans replace the Public Service Agreements introduced by the last Government as part of the Spending Review process.
David Cameron announced four areas that will become the first Big Society communities; Liverpool, Sutton (in London), Windsor and Maidenhead, and Eden Valley in Cumbria. These areas will receive support from Whitehall civil servants to help remove obstacles and will trial new planning reforms and taking budget decisions at ‘street level'.
The government has pledged to put the ‘big society' at the centre of public sector reform. The proposals include: giving communities more powers; encouraging people to take an active role in their communities; transferring power from central to local government; supporting co-ops, mutuals, charities and social enterprises; and publishing government data.
Liverpool and the Merseyside Network for Europe played host to our most recent Big Society seminar. And although I keep thinking I'm going to struggle to find something new to say about each seminar, I am pleasantly surprised to find new issues, priorities and themes emerging from the discussion.
Essential facts to help you get to grips with the Big Society programme
The Big Society programme has polarised debate, with opinion divided between those who regard it as an ambitious plan to radically transform social policy and others who see it as a cynical attempt to plug the gaps in public service as public spending is withdrawn. This paper aims to provide a measured and constructive response to the programme that recognises its current strengths and weaknesses and brings a community sector perspective to the debate.
