| Abstract |
Local governance, and especially the role of local government, was transformed in post-war Britain. These changes have been recognised, but the historical impact of this transition in the period after 1950 has not been fully explored. The structure of local governance increasingly excluded many social groups, especially from planning decisions. These, however, had a profound impact on large areas of the country and especially on urban Britain. Long-term historical social changes accelerated this growing dislocation between local government and the community. On the one hand, a new post-war discourse emerged around notions of welfare as well civil and consumer rights which gradually changed social expectations and aspirations. The failure of government (local and national) to deliver in, for example, housing led to frustration and dissent. On the other hand, established communities were physically broken-up due to both slum clearance programmes and changes in the patterns of tenure. Consequently, social networks were irrevocably eroded. Social cohesion deteriorated as civil society declined. Furthermore, changes to local government undermined their position as an integral part of civil society, creating an ever increasing gap between the council and the community. The result was increasing disaffection and, in some areas, a breakdown in social stability. The project will highlight this long historical process of change and fragmentation. It will examine the legislative changes to local service delivery, social change and attempts by the state (through local authorities and other institutions) to bridge the gap between 'government' and 'community' through key policy initiatives such as participation schemes and various community development initiatives. These were part of a top-down approach in the 1970s, often experimental, to include people in the planning system by developing participatory democracy. They constituted a state-led attempt to react to the aftermath of economic, social and physical changes to many communities by creating a sense of community by providing basic facilities and by forming teams of professionals who were instructed to work in the communities and to help local people to create civil groups which reflected their interests. They worked in some of the most deprived areas of Britain, including inner city London, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow. Yet the schemes floundered and the problems continued. The community teams themselves became disenchanted at the scale and structural nature of the problems they faced. Moreover, local disillusionment amongst many residents reflected a lack of identity, pride and connection to the community. Poverty, unemployment and racism underpinned the growing social fragmentation. State policies floundered in these areas, leading to a breakdown in community relations which was underlined with the urban riots in many inner city areas such as St. Paul's, Moss Side, Toxteth and Brixton. These riots raised many issues related to the deterioration in community relations, social stability and a breakdown in trust, especially between the communities and various public bodies and institutions. They were the culmination of years of neglect and the erosion of social cohesion. Appreciating the historical process is necessary to identify and fully understand the challenges, social changes and political policies and structures which led to this growing fragmentation in some inner-city communities. Completing this monograph will, therefore, add to our knowledge and appreciation of what continues to be an important and topical issue. |
