Community-led Planning

What's it all about?

Click here for an overview of the Community-led Planning process

What's new?

New Regional Community-led Planning Website is launched!

A new regional website that shows the community-led planning activity has been launched and is now 'live'. To visit the site go to www.clp-se.org.uk where you will be able to view the action plans coming out of local community planning initiatives, and as a community member involved in a plan, you will be able to register to use the website to update any developments with your plan, and also to help you keep track with any progress with your action plan.

‘Planning Together’ - Updated guidance for local strategic partnerships and planners

19.05.09

The Department of Communities and Local Government has updated guidance explaining both the new duties and responsibilities of Local Strategic Partnerships and the fundamentals of the planning system. It illustrates how key strategies and plans, such as the Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) and the Local Development Framework (LDF), can work together to meet challenges locally and secure real improvements to people’s lives.

In particular, the guide outlines nine practical steps that can be taken to improve collaboration between the planning functions of local authorities and the work of LSPs. Community Led Planning features as one of these steps.

The guide argues Community Led Planning provides a mechanism for achieving collaboration between LSPs and planners with parishes and neighbourhoods. It recognises that Community Led Planning provides a wealth of data about the characteristics, needs and aspirations of local communities which can be integrated into the development of the SCS and LDF.

A free copy of 'Planning Together' can be found here

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Community Led Planning features in guide to the ‘duty to involve’

Community Led Planning recognised as “one of the most promising strategies” for community involvement

15.04.09

The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 placed a new obligation on best value authorities to provide greater opportunities for people to get involved in local decision making and service provision. This ‘duty to involve’ came into force on 1st April 2009.

The Community Development Foundation (CDF) has produced a new guide to help authorities prepare for and meet the new duty. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to involve local people in a meaningful way that really helps the communities they work with.

The guide recognises Community Led Planning as “one of the most promising mechanisms for authorities to draw upon to inspire local co-production” and refers to examples where this has been successfully mainstreamed by local authorities such as Cheshire County Council, West Berkshire Council and Essex County Council.

The Duty to Involve: Making it Work is packed full of indispensable advice for managers, practitioners, councillors and partnerships. It shows you how you can turn this duty into an opportunity to boost community engagement.

The guide:

Shows you the critical factors for successfully implementing the duty, identifying challenges and offering tips and suggestions for action
Provides an overview of the statutory requirements and responsibilities, and shows you how the duty to involve links to other duties and to comprehensive area assessment
Includes twelve in-depth case studies of authorities and agencies who have already successfully implemented the duty and are leading the way
Shows you how community development can help you to make the most of this new opportunity.

A free copy can be downloaded here