Local authorities are being urged to use the Sustainable Communities Act to push for new powers and freedoms. The New Local Government Network has produced a document arguing that the legislation, which was passed in 2007, gives councils an opportunity to develop local public services and new funding streams but that so far the potential of the new law has not been realised. 

Two consultations have begun on new powers to ensure affordable homes are available in rural areas. They would mean communities that are facing the worst housing shortages could be given special status to ensure housing can be retained for local people.
The proposed new powers would allow those areas with the most severe housing shortages to be designated as protected areas. 

By Allison Fine
This book describes a new and empowering way of looking at and organizing social change! How can we move from serving soup until our elbows ache to solving chronic social ills like hunger or homelessness? How can we break the disastrous cycle of low expectations that leads to chronic social failures?
The answers to these questions lie within Momentum, a fresh, zestful way of thinking about and organizing social change work.