Localism and Community Land Trusts

1. Localism and Community Land Trusts Rachel Danemann University of Stirling

2. This presentation • Explains the context of my research on CLTs and Localism • Explains my methodology • Runs through the four world view model I used in my analysis • Highlight the findings

3. The Research • This presentation is based on the findings of my MSs dissertation on CLTs and Localism • The research was conduced in 2010 shortly after Coalition Government was elected • It considered why CLT seemed to be universally popular- with both new Labour and new Con-Lib Coalition

4. Methodolgy • Documentary Analysis triangulated with the collaborative creation of • An Orgisational Life History

5. The Model • Based on Johnson Birchall’s Four World Views: • Individualism • Pluralism • Collectivism • Communitarianism (used in research on co-operatives)

6. The Model

7. Four ‘world views’ and Co-ops

8. Defining Localism • Eric Pickles in 2010 defined his priorities as Localism, Localism and Localism • Coalition Agreement includes reference to promoting decentralisation and empowerment • Big Society a key component • Still a contested and imprecise term

9. Localism and CLTs • New manageralism saw local authorities shift from being providers to enablers or services • Rouse (1999) argues New Labour embrace of new mangeralism should have placed emphasis on inclusivity, participation and intolerance of low standards but was often reduced to a tick box exercise • Localism under Labour = Regionalism

10. Localism and CLTs contd • New Localism spilt into two camps, one interested in empowering ‘very local areas’ to deliver services and the other interested in mutuals and not-for-profit models. • Coalition version

11. CLTs and Coalition Politics • CLT are a new panacea • Seen as being able to deliver develoved power, improve accountability and help address housing crisis. • All underpinned by notion of social capital- social glue (networks within groups) and social bridges (networks between groups) • ….but does this happen in practice

12. Case Studies • Holsworthy CLT in North Devon • East Portlemouth CLT in South Devon

13. Issues Identified • Slow progress • Planning tensions • Confusion of Roles • Defining and Meeting ‘Housing Need’ • Lack of Trust • Defining ‘Local’

14. Findings: Theoretical • Little explicit about any of the four world views in the documentation, but much implicit esp. in CLT literature • Little explicit in life histories but different world views are evidently influencing views and values of officers, members, CLT objectors, CLT supporters and their actions.

15. Findings Practical • More support for volunteers needed • More Finance for CLT needed • Need to build support at a Local Level • It’s too early (in 2012) to offer concrete conclusions of the success and appeal of CLTs, but hopefully the theoretical framework developed will be useful for further research.

16. References • Johnston Birchall (1986) Building Communities the Co-operative Way London: Routledge and Paul • Rouse J (1999) ‘Performance Management, Quality Management and Contracts’ in Horton S and Farnham D (Eds) Public Management in Britain Hampshire: Palgrave