Civic Voice News

The government has indicated that it will seek to promote housebuilding through new towns. The development of new towns is a long-term process and, in most cases, will only lead to the completion of additional housing in at least five…

The Civic Voice Expert Panel has discussed the Planning & Infrastructure Bill with particular reference to concerns about nature protection and recovery and produced a comment paper. Civic Voice support the concerns of the Office for Environmental Protection and others…

An important email and discussion paper about the future of Civic Voice has been circulated to member societies. This is from the Co Chairs, Robert Osborne and Andrew Jackson. If you think you are a member and have not received…

Civic Voice has undertaken a small-scale study of the publication of comments on local planning portals. That study has revealed a consistent pattern of preferences amongst civic societies. Societies want transparency in the publication of all comments, but also agree…

Trustees would like to clarify the arrangements for the AGM on 8 November, which is in person in Birmingham.  The first part of the meeting will be an opportunity for members to discuss Civic Voice’s future and consider a number…

The Civic Voice Board has announced the resignation of its Chief Executive, Rob Hattersley, from early November. Co Chair Robert Osborne said: “Since February 2025, Rob has done a tremendous of amount of work in resolving many basic financial and…

We’ve launched our new Members’ Directory. Check it out to see the geographic spread of the civic movement in England – making places better together. Get in touch if:-

The Heritage Alliance, of which Civic Voice is a member, has launched a refreshed funding directory which is free to use. Whether you’re seeking grants for conservation projects, community heritage initiatives, or organisational development, this directory will prove very useful.…

Two years ago, the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke about the importance of oracy and committed to embedding it in the national curriculum. Now, in the lead up to the publication of the Curriculum and Assessment review, a coalition…

Robert Osborne, co chair of trustees at Civic Voice, attended the annual reception for Historic England on 8th July. Amongst the speeches were CEO Duncan Wilson, who is standing down in September, Lord Mendoza (chair), and Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross.…