Two recent news articles highlighting the different ways local communities are taking back control have inspired the Power to Change team.
Bob Thust, our Director of Community Business Programmes, highlights a Telegraph article about people in the Yorkshire town of Otley, who have successfully listed all 19 of the town’s pubs as assets of community value (ACVs), giving them protection at a time when 29 are closing each week across the country.
“This is a remarkable example of local people coming together to protect their community assets. Listing assets as ACVs is a first step, but an important one. What the people of Otley have achieved should provide huge encouragement to others.”
Read the article: The town that refuses to call last orders on its pubs: The Telegraph, 23 May
Sophie Macken, a consultant in our grants team, recommends a Guardian article about a community in Frome, Somerset, who have rejected big party politics and taken back control of their local council by voting for independent candidates.
“Frome’s example of flatpack democracy represents a different approach to community participation and, like community business, is a great way for communities to take back power.”
Read How Flatpack Democracy beat the old parties: Guardian, 22 May 2015)