NEWS & EVENTS
"Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting
myself of the holds that would hold me." - Walt Whitman
[Newest Events First : Oldest Last]
TRANSITION TOWN MOVEMENT GATHERS PACE
As the limits to growth predicted by the 'Club of Rome' in the 1970's begin to bite and to affect all our lives, creative responses are emerging - not from 'the system' but out of civil society: from people and their networks. One example of this is the Transition Town network, which is spreading rapidly across England and our neighbours. The central idea is working towards a co-ordinated "energy descent" that will provide both the resilience to respond to peak oil and the carbon emission reduction called for by the threat of climate change. Leicester is just one of the towns/cities whose transition initiative has recently been endorsed by the Transition Network. A link from our Links Page to their WIKI has now been added.
PETER CADOGAN HONOURED
The Ides of March this year were a time for reflection and renewal of commitment for many strivers for a better world, including some Devolve! allies, who came together to honour and celebrate the life of Peter Cadogan. On Saturday 15th March at St James Picadilly, a packed meeting heard contributions from a range of speakers who threw light on particular phases of his life - and in some cases told how much he had inspired and influenced them. On Sunday 16th March at the iconic Conway Hall (where Peter had been secretary for ten years) friends and colleagues were joined by members of the Blake Society for a brilliant talk by Tim Heath on Peter's hero William Blake.
Responsible Stewards
The new Responsible Stewards site, an addition to our Links page (see Radical Economics and Ecology section) seeks to question the assumptions behind the social and economic consensus behind Neo-Liberalism and Neo-Conservatism. The proposals from this group challenge many of the Jacobin or 'Statist' ideals constructed before - and particularly during the 'Enlightenment' and beyond to the present day. An alternative world-view is offered based on stewardship, fairness, social pluralism and an integrative approach.
Albion Magazine
Recent years have seen a steady rise in awareness of English culture and identity, and the myriad questions surrounding it. Various groupings have developed to tackle the issues surrounding this field. Albion Magazine is one such recent addition - their online magazine is regularly published, and can be contacted via our Links page (under the 'English Culture and Identity subheading)
PETER CADOGAN
We sadly report the death (on 18th November) of London Member Peter Cadogan. In recent years Peter was a regular contributor to our journal VODE. Active in Peace, Democracy and Secular campaigns over five decades, a Times obituary was a necessary tribute. His 1970's pamphlet Direct Democracy inspired a generation of community activists and may be considered the 'source code' of people led Very Local Democracy.
A remembrance and celebration is planned for March 15th next year. Further information on request.
GEORGE WILLIAMSON
We also have to report the loss (on 13th November) of Leeds Member George Williamson. Also a member of the famous Committee of 100 and its associated civil disobedience in the 1960s. As a libertarian socialist he was for many years a member of Solidarity. An architect by training, his critical publications included 'Devastation - the Planning of Incarceration' In latter years George committed himself to the then unpopular cause of campaigning against the vicious consequences of false allegations of child abuse against parents, teachers, carers. Many convictions have since been overturned. George was always stimulating company and had a wide circle of friends and comrades.
OPT
The AGM and Conference on 17th November of the Optimum Population Trust was both constructive and realistic. Support for, and interest in, OPT is now growing rapidly as - after years of public taboo - the population issue forces its way onto the mainstream agenda. Follow our link to their Web Site.
GLOBAL JUSTICE?
One week later the Global Justice Movement Strategy Conference organised by Simpol heard contributions from a number of leading thinkers/activists before getting heads down in workshop sessions. It was clear that the issues of global justice, resources, pollution and climate change are now firmly linked. There were also references to the population explosion: it was noted that some campaign organisations still avoid serious mention in their statements/manifestoes.
DEVOLUTION AT WESTMINSTER?
On 12th July the Commission on Devolution met at The Palace of Westminster(!) to review the evolving proposals for new relations between Central Government, Regional Bodies, Local Authorities and Communities. (See July time-line below.) Several Devolve! Steering Group members attended this meeting.
It was noted that the case for Functional Sub Regions, first developed by the Commission, is now embedded in Government policy.
THE GROUND SHIFTS - A JULY TIMELINE
3rd Gordon Brown makes statement on Constitutional Reform.
4th Local Government Association Annual Conference opens in Birmingham.
6th Keynote speech to Conference by new Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears: pledges to put councillors and local communities centre stage.
10th "Governance of Britain" reform proposals presented to Parliament. [Devolve! will comment on these in due course.]
17th Review of Sub National Economic Development launched - includes a commitment to "support local authorities to work together at the sub regional level".
17th Press Release by the Treasury issued alongside the Review states an intention to phase out the indirectly elected Regional Assemblies from 2010.
17th Campaign For the English Regions (CFER) issues News Release on the Sub National Review, headed: "Regions win profile but not yet democracy".
25th Nine successful bids for new Unitary Authorities announced. These include Cornwall and four English County Unitaries. Five other County Unitary bids did not suceed.
NEW DEMOCRACY PETITION LAUNCHED
The 'Make It An Issue' campaign that grew out of the Power Inquiry into democracy has just launched a petition (on its Web Site) for the Government's proposed Constitutional Reform to be led by "a full deliberative process, like a People's assembly or convention". They hope to address the "problem with British democracy" by involving "people from across the country" in this debate. The invitation to "fellow citizens" is issued by Helena Kennedy and signed by a range of organisations and prominent individuals.
A comment by Devolve! on this petition and its starting assumptions will be posted in due course.
LYONS INQUIRY
The Lyons Inquiry into Local Government published its final report and recomendations on 27th March. This independent inquiry has a remit covering the future role, function and funding of local government. Its findings can be divided into two sets of recommendations.
The first set of recommendations are relatively modest and are designed to be applied in the short term. A second set of more far reaching recommendations are designed for the medium term. The report suggests that reforms should be applied incrementaly, with the prospect of more radical reforms being made in the longer term.
The prospect of a genuine devolution of powers from central to local government is stated in this report. For the full report refer to their site in our Links Page.
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES BILL
This successfully passed its second reading in Parliament (19 January) there is cross-party support. Through this Bill central government will be required to provide for the implementation of 'Local Sustainability Strategies' created by local communities. This Bill intends that local economic decline and its subsequent effect on social services and environment are addressed by the communities themselves. Local people will be able to set their own targets for their 'Local Sustainability Strategies' and introduce their own measures and indicators suited to their own particular circumstances. There is also scope for local referenda initiatives - with huge potential for meaningful local democracy.
The Bill is not of course, yet set in law - the campaign to achieve this needs considerable support. A group 'Local Works' is been actively campaigning the for the progress of the Bill and is listed in our Links Page under 'Democratic Renewal' - see this site for an explanation of the Bill and their campaign - you can sign up to take an active role from their site.
POWER INQUIRY MAKES DEMOCRATIC CHANGE AN ISSUE
The Power Inquiry launched its long awaited new campaign and interactive Web Site on 22nd January with the title and slogan: "make it an issue". The four stated aims are: -
This campaign, backed up by a 'road show' and other tactics, will certainly help to keep the democracy question in focus. That the emphasis is perhaps too much on pressurising the system to change itself (see lead to 'levels of consciousness' below) should not detract from the value of this campaign. Follow the link from our Links and Allies Page to their Site.
VERY LOCAL DEMOCRACY PILOT FACES CHALLENGES
The Devolve! inspired but now autonomous experiment in Very Local Democracy (VLD) in a Midlands city faces critical challenges over the next three months.
The good news is that what was formally refused in 2003 - Community Alliance networks of primary groups as natural partners to Area Committees based on elected (every four years) representatives - is now more or less de facto accepted.
The bad news is that VLD has become a political football and the May elections could lead to the abolition of the Area Committees and some difficult times.
The first volunteer-led People Centre was 'officially' opened on 22nd February (the ribbon being cut by a local councillor), gaining attention from the local press and the community in general. Now the big unknown is whether meaningful community use and involvement will reward the committed volunteers. The interest shown at the opening and offers of help received has been encouraging.
MASSIVE SURGE IN SUPPORT FOR DEVOLUTION?
Recent polls have supported growing anecdotal evidence that many people are now ready to back devolved power in these islands, at least where there are clear and established identities. An ICM poll for The Sunday Telegraph suggested that 68% of people in England may now opt for 'home rule' as they see it in Scotland, while an astonishing 48% seem to want England to pull out of the United Kingdom, compared to only 43% with a preference to hold the Union together.
If confirmed, this trend raises as many problems for active devolutionists as it does for diehard centralists. Most of the former take one of two views: either that England (with 50+ million) is far too big and too centralised unless devolution is extended to its traditional regions/provinces; or that devolved power must start with devolved practice at the most local levels, building on this foundation pragmatic alliances that can both deliver services and command a measure of shared identity.
Devolve! will not be the only grouping or network forced to re-examine its strategy if these findings indicate a real shift in popular awareness and the general will.
MERCIA MOVEMENT LOSES A STALWART
The vision of a new destiny for the great provinces of pre-conquest England has been kept alive by the tireless efforts of small bands of active radicals. One such was Joyce Millington, whose death on 19th December is a blow to the cause as well as to friends and colleagues. A member of the Acting Witan of Mercia, Joyce had been a long-committed pacifist and Quaker, and in her time a member of the Peace Pledge Union (and the first woman conscientious objector of WWII), on the CND 'Committee of 100', a Green Party activist and conference organiser. A co-founder of the Mercia Movement in 1993 she went on to help shape the Mercian Constitutional Convention which created an outline blueprint for a devolved post-affluence society.
For those who may be moved to pick up the torch, the next meeting of the Acting Witan of Mercia is to be in Stourbridge on Sunday 14th January. For more information follow the link from our Links and Allies Page.
Further South, the Wessex Society meets in Salisbury on 27th January, while the Wessex Regionalists meet in Broad Hinton, Wilts on 3rd February. Again, follow the links for more information.
DEVOLVE! and THE NETWORK PROJECT hold JOINT SEMINAR
The link-up in London on Saturday 25th November was partly to compare notes between our two ideas systems, partly to begin to develop a common language and toolkit for all those engaged in strengthening the alternative to the Globalist/Neoliberal/Jacobin worldview that now dominates the political and academic world.
POWER INQUIRY TO BECOME CAMPAIGN
The Power Inquiry into Democracy, originally commissioned by Government to report on causes of voter apathy and subsequently coming to question many features of the present electoral system, is set to become a permanent campaign for real democracy, with a new name and a new Web Site. Expect a year-end launch.
WHITE PAPER ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT PUBLISHED
On 26th October DCLG Minister Ruth Kelly finally launched the White Paper on Local Governance titled "Strong and Prosperous Communities". Proposals included: -
What the White Paper does not do: -
NOTES: (i) A Devolve! commentary on the white paper will be posted. (ii) At some point this analysis and the commentary will be moved to our democracy pages.
BEYOND CITY REGIONS
Remit Conference of the Commission on Devolution
OXFORD THURSDAY 12th OCTOBER
This event was held successfully and according to the programme.
A full report will be compiled and distributed.
CHAIR
Bert Biscoe CC Chair of Cornish Constitutional Convention
SPEAKERS
Andrew George MP Commission on Devolution
Prof. Mike Coombes Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies, University of Newcastle
Matthew Warburton Head of Strategy, Local Government Association
Barry Deller Director, Association of Councils of the Thames Valley Region (ACTVaR)
John Arnold Former leader of Southampton City Council
Catharine Perry Devolve! Steering Group member
Chris Cook Founder of Partnership Consulting
What steps
can and should Local Authorities take to make the case for Devolved Powers?
At what level should they work together and in what groupings? What should be
the relation between Core City 'Regions' and other areas? What are the democratic
and economic implications?
2006 Devolve! Annual General Meeting
Saturday 7th October Conway Hall London
There were no constitutional amendments this year. However, the meeting endorsed a proposal for a new Cultures and Identities working group to consider the issues arising for all those for whom England is now home, regardless of their cultural bonds and various identities. This will enable our existing English Culture working group to re-focus on the questions facing those of us who identify as of the English people.
The AGM was followed by an open meeting with two special presentations:
Maureen Boustred and Ron Joyce - Park Homes Residents Action Alliance
The Struggle against Exploitative Site Owners
Dave Morris - Secretary of the Haringey Federation of Residents Associations
Community Empowerment in a London Borough
POWER TO THE PEOPLE?
Three Devolve! members were among hundreds of people who came to the QEII Conference Centre in Whitehall on Saturday 6th May to take part in the 'Power to the People' conference called to discuss the Power Inquiry report into democracy and its recommendations for change. Events ranged from all star stage panels and hearing/cross-questioning party leaders to intense small group topic workshops and networking over coffee or buffet lunch. An impressive day but we have already posed the question to the PI team - where does it go from here?
ACADEMIC DEGREES IN CHANGING THE WORLD!
Click to Gaia University info from selection below, then visit their Site from our link.
Devolve! putting "Double Devolution" to the test - at both ends
Following the more radical than expected Power
Inquiry report (see below), our delegation to the Powerdown conference on Saturday
6th May will be testing the rhetoric and looking for links and allies.
Meanwhile, down at ground level, community groups across England are finding
out how much very local empowerment various councils will really encourage now
that Area Committees are being established. The Community Alliance pilots in
the East Midlands, inspired by VLD thinking, are putting forward challenging
proposals for involvement in local affairs. Significant outcomes will be posted
on the VLD page.
LEVEL
THREE CONSCIOUSNESS
Reaching out and moving on in a turbulent world
In a world facing multiple threats - rampant global corporations and an economy based on endless growth, even as climate change gathers pace and the end of cheap energy is in sight - can we move beyond individual responses to develop communities and networks for mutual support? Or is our distance from each other a key part of the problem? Can we learn to live with less, yet lead fuller lives?
The weekend (17th to 19th March) was a definate success. Attendance exceeded our expectations, the exchange of views and information over the weekend was both stimulating and very encouraging.
LGA ROUNDTABLE
Devolve! and the Commission on Devolution were both represented at the L.G.A. roundtable discussion "Cities and City Regions" The meeting was held to discuss the recent city region initiatives, the views of local government authorities towards the various initiatives, and the response from the L.G.A. on behalf of its members. Views expressing both caution and enthusiasm were expressed, as well as views from various authorities already forming their own networks of co-operation with other local government bodies - nascent Functional Sub-Regions?
How recent are these additions? Each topic lead is a link to some web text updated in recent months. The colour of the symbol alongside it indicates the month amended, as follows:
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[Newest updates first - oldest last]
Transiton Network Link added p
Transition Towns movement on the move p
Deaths of Peter Cadogan and George Williamson p
News of Optimum Population and Global Justice p
Additions to Recommended Reading list p
Recent developments in local democracy p
Commission on Devolution at Westminster p
New Policies - July Time-line p
England Devolve! speaks out on England p
Devolve! organisation goes into quiet mode p
Sustainable Communities Bill p
Levels of Consciousness added to Organic Democracy Page p
The Power Inquiry launches new 'action for democracy' campaign p
Critical times for pioneering VLD project p
Massive surge in support for devolution? p
Devolve! and The Network Project hold Joint Seminar p
First Structure Diagram of Very Local Democracy p
Levels of Government added to our Integrated Vision Page p
Local Government White Paper published p
Beyond City Regions: Commission on Devolution Remit Conference p
Games in Town: background paper for Remit Conference p