Our community powered approach
What does neighbourhood governance really look like in practice – and why does it matter now?
With the forthcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, councils across England face a real opportunity. Rather than simply meeting a requirement, this is a chance to rethink how local democracy works at neighbourhood level.
For over a decade, Test Valley Borough Council has been developing a community-powered approach that puts people’s lived experience, ambitions and priorities at the heart of decision-making. It’s built on long‑term relationships, a shift in mindset, and genuine collaboration between communities, councillors, partners and staff.
The result is a place‑based model that strengthens the link between participative and representative democracy, reinforces the role of councillors, and helps rebuild civic trust by organising services around the places where people live.
Drafted by Collaborate CIC on behalf of TVBC, our new paper, Neighbourhood Governance in Practice: Lessons from Test Valley for Democratic Renewal, reflects on this journey and why it matters for the future of public service – nationally as well as locally.
If you’re interested in devolution, democratic renewal, community power or place‑based working, this is a timely read.
Read the full report here Neighbourhood Governance in Practise