social enterprise

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The British Urban Regeneration Association’s ‘invaluable’ role as a champion of best practice must be salvaged, according to leading figures.

A social enterprise or mutual model could also help to strengthen Bura’s ‘fit for purpose’ replacement which is expected to be launched next month.

The association informed members today that it was starting voluntary liquidation proceedings, after its board agreed the time was right to ‘draw a line under Bura’.

In an email to members, chair Jackie Sadek said ‘a more radical approach’ was necessary, explaining: ‘In the last few months, we’ve undertaken a thorough review of the organisation and it is clear to us that the current model is no longer workable.’

Nigel Draper, head of neighbourhoods at Valleys to Coast Housing, admitted to being ‘shocked and yet not surprised’ at the news.

‘In the last 100 days or so we’ve seen the disappearance of many organisations that we’ve known and loved over the years,’ he said. ‘One of Bura’s key roles was its Community Inspired Regeneration Awards. Bura was one of the few organisations that looked at regeneration in terms of community and people – not just buildings, waterside developments and shopping centres.

‘They managed to look at things from a physical view, and did that very professionally, but never forgot that regeneration is about people and community.’

Renaisi’s head of policy and communications Donna Lightbown agreed: ‘The Bura business model may be bust but it is now more important than ever to have a coherent voice to fight the regeneration sector’s corner.

‘The work that Bura did in highlighting and spreading good practice and promoting the sector’s achievements was invaluable.’

In her email, Ms Sadek hinted at a replacement for Bura, revealing that ‘leading industry figures’ were working to develop a commercially viable model.

A Bura spokesperson later confirmed that while the ‘existing structure has not been doing it justice’, it would be ‘safe to assume that there is going to be a new, fit for purpose vehicle that’s likely to emerge in September’.

Responding to a potential Bura replacement, Mr Draper said: ‘The government seems to be looking to these sorts of organisations to create their own new organisations to follow on.

‘It’s an opportunity, as much as it saddens me to see the demise of Bura, to look at perhaps a social enterprise or a mutual model and with a degree more independence it might therefore be more sustainable in itself.’

Renaisi’s Ms Lightbown added: ‘We hope that what emerges next will continue in this vein but also recognise that regeneration isn’t just about development.

‘The social and community benefits that smaller agencies have delivered at the neighbourhood level are just as vital and should resonate even more strongly given where we are with the Big Society.’

This article is provided courtesy of the news feed at http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/news

Educational achievement and open spaces have improved in east Manchester, while crime and unemployment levels have been reduced, according to the final evaluation of the area’s new deal for communities (NDC) programme.

The independent report, published today, says the NDC ‘achieved almost everything it set out to do’ and concludes the area has improved substantially since 1999.

Research undertaken by economic development and regeneration consultancy Ekosgen shows the programme’s efforts helped develop community spirit, ownership and involvement, leading to the NDC being recognised nationally as an example of good practice in community-led regeneration.

Commissioned by urban regeneration company New East Manchester (NEM) – which merged with the area’s NDC in 2007 – the evaluation consulted 150 residents and 25 stakeholders including Greater Manchester Police, North Manchester Primary Care Trust and Eastlands Homes.

Key findings included:

• More than 2,800 improved housing association properties
• Increased and improved open spaces and community facilities
• Burglary rates cut by 40%
• Benefit claimants down by a quarter
• Double the number of young people gaining at least five A*-C GCSEs.

A small number of areas for improvement were highlighted including making residents healthier and ensuring ‘depth and quality’ of services despite the end of NDC funding.

Ekosgen also noted ‘the area is still fragile and regeneration has slowed down due to the recession’.

Manchester Council leader Jim Battle credited the NDC with making ‘an essential and lasting contribution to improving the east Manchester area’.

‘The combined effect of the changes means we have reversed a downward spiral and made the area more sustainable, bringing enormous benefits to local people now and in the future,’ he said.

‘We recognise there is still a great deal that needs to be done but the work undertaken over the past decade has given us solid foundations which we must now build on.’

A succession strategy is now being taken forward.

The government’s £2bn NDC programme was launched in 1998 with the aim of reducing the gap between 39 of the UK’s most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of the country.

Earlier this year, the Institute of Economic Development warned the incoming government against abandoning investment in vulnerable neighbourhoods like NDCs to avoid undermining progress made over the last decade.