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NEWS FROM CIVIC VOICE

Small Charity Week

Small Charity Week

Small Charity Week (23–28 June) is just one month away. Most Civic Societies are small charities, and may benefit from getting involved and helping to make it bigger and louder than ever.  The week is hosted by NCVO. Leigh Brimicombe, Head…
May 23, 2025
Great Big Green Week and Civic Day

Great Big Green Week and Civic Day

We’ve noticed that Civic Day on 14th June this year coincides with Great Big Green Week from 7th – 15th. This is a positive co-incidence as issues of sustainability and climate resilience are hugely important in our built environments. Great…
May 16, 2025
All change… again!

All change… again!

Having only just moved our registered and postal addresses to an innovative hot-desking and virtual office space in Poundbury, Dorset, in March, we were very sorry to learn that the venue is closing permanently at short notice this week. From…
May 13, 2025
Member offer survey

Member offer survey

Civic Voice is asking both current member societies, and organisations not currently members, for views on what to prioritise as the charity develops a new member offer. New Chief Executive Rob Hattersley said: ‘Civic Voice recognises that it must provide…
April 24, 2025
101 ideas for Civic Day

101 ideas for Civic Day

Civic Day – a day of celebration and pride in our built environment – is on Saturday 14th June in 2025. We’re redistributing a useful and inspiring little booklet we first produced in 2011. It’s full of ideas for Civic…
April 22, 2025
Civic Voice expresses concerns for local communities with Planning and Infrastructure Bill

Civic Voice expresses concerns for local communities with Planning and Infrastructure Bill

Civic Voice has responded to the Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill, acknowledging the need for a faster and more effective planning system but expressing concerns about the Bill’s vagueness, the extensive powers given to the Secretary of State, and the…
April 10, 2025

NEWS FROM MEMBERS

Halifax Civic Trust hands awards to Halifax Jeweller and Halifax Bus Station

Halifax Civic Trust hands awards to Halifax Jeweller and Halifax Bus Station

Halifax Civic Trust Awards have been made since 1992 to encourage high-quality design and craftsmanship in schemes in Halifax and the surrounding countryside. Winning projects have included restored mills, the Peoples Park, houses, shops and warehouses, new schools, medical centres and housing,…
May 23, 2025 , 2:28 pm
Vote for your favourite street

Vote for your favourite street

Stamford Civic Society is planning a ‘vote for your favourite street’ event to celebrate Civic Day on Saturday 14th June 2025. Society members will be in the busy High Street running a stall between 1030 and 1400. They hope to…
May 19, 2025 , 2:55 pm
Make space for life: Maidenhead Society newsletter updates on conservation successes

Make space for life: Maidenhead Society newsletter updates on conservation successes

Civic pride is not only about the built environment. It includes communities working together to protect and enhance local nature, with huge benefits to the human population too. Read more from Maidenhead Civic Society in their latest newsletter here.
May 15, 2025 , 7:29 am
Is the democratic process working with Local Authorities?

Is the democratic process working with Local Authorities?

Derek Wilson, Chair, Maidenhead Civic Society Our society constantly responds to planning applications monthly, expressing views and concerns about local development schemes. However, the local planning authority does not consider the Civic Society a statutory consultee within the planning process.…
May 15, 2025 , 7:22 am
Shout out for street art

Shout out for street art

Epsom Civic Society has published its Spring magazine with a celebration of street art amongst a wealth of other news on planning, climate change and events. You can download a digital version here. Civic Voice echos Epsom Society’s congratulations to…
May 14, 2025 , 9:20 am
Design codes request

Design codes request

A Civic Voice member has asked for anyone interested in helping to develop a design code specifically for a small town centre high street. Please contact us if you would like more information or can help. There is some useful…
May 7, 2025 , 10:27 am

REGIONAL NETWORKS

Yorkshire and Humberside publish annual report

Yorkshire and Humberside publish annual report

Yorkshire and Humberside Association of Civic Societies – YHACS for short – has published its annual report including activities, achievements and updates. The report can be downloaded as a pdf.
May 2, 2025 , 11:53 am
Yorkshire and Humberside election fever

Yorkshire and Humberside election fever

Margaret Hicks-Clarke – Chair, Yorkshire and Humberside Association of Civic Societies As we arrive in Hull for our YHACS Spring Meeting you may detect a touch of election fever in the air. Devolution has arrived in Hull and East Riding,…
April 24, 2025 , 6:38 am
West Yorkshire Heritage Toolbox

West Yorkshire Heritage Toolbox

West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Heritage Network, and Locality are excited to announce the launch of ‘Heritage Toolbox’ new support for heritage organisations, which may be of interest to Civic Societies. Heritage Toolbox is a skills and learning programme that aims to help organisations…
April 16, 2025 , 7:38 am
London Forum now on BlueSky

London Forum now on BlueSky

The London Forum – the network for civic and amenity societies across London – is now on the BlueSky, the social media platform, at @londonforum.org.uk. They encourage members to follow them there.  The Forum’s latest postings also appear on their website, with…
April 2, 2025 , 5:49 pm

NEWS FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS

Small Charity Week

Small Charity Week

Small Charity Week (23–28 June) is just one month away. Most Civic Societies are small charities, and may benefit from getting involved and helping to make it bigger and louder than ever.  The week is hosted by NCVO. Leigh Brimicombe, Head…
May 23, 2025 , 9:00 am
Great Big Green Week and Civic Day

Great Big Green Week and Civic Day

We’ve noticed that Civic Day on 14th June this year coincides with Great Big Green Week from 7th – 15th. This is a positive co-incidence as issues of sustainability and climate resilience are hugely important in our built environments. Great…
May 16, 2025 , 10:32 am
We’re right here: Empowering communities through the English Devolution Bill

We’re right here: Empowering communities through the English Devolution Bill

Ed Wallis, Director of Policy and Engagement at Locality, explains the We’re Right Here campaign, which advocates for fostering community power through the English Devolution Bill. It highlights the need for meaningful community involvement in decision-making and proposes a ‘Community…
May 7, 2025 , 10:58 am
Inspiration for community action

Inspiration for community action

TCPA have added to its Practical Hope online case study bank, providing more inspiring examples of community action from across the UK. Their newest case study is Woodgate Community Shop in West Sussex, which is believed to be the first purpose-built community shop…
May 1, 2025 , 9:26 am
The importance of democratic planning: Evidence from the Town and Country Planning Association for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill committee (April 2025)

The importance of democratic planning: Evidence from the Town and Country Planning Association for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill committee (April 2025)

The TCPA believes that democratic planning is a vital tool for securing socially just and sustainable outcomes in an era defined by the housing, health, nature and climate crises. Planning is not a ‘blocker’ and consistently approves more planning consents…
May 1, 2025 , 9:22 am
Good homes for all

Good homes for all

In partnership with Architects Action for Affordable Housing, the Architects’ Journal has reported on what it considers to be 20 exceptional housing schemes as part of their Good Homes for All campaign. The campaign aims to make the case for high-quality…
April 29, 2025 , 4:12 pm

CIVIC VIEWPOINTS

Is the democratic process working with Local Authorities?

Is the democratic process working with Local Authorities?

Derek Wilson, Chair, Maidenhead Civic Society Our society constantly responds to planning applications monthly, expressing views and concerns about local development schemes. However, the local planning authority does not consider the Civic Society a statutory consultee within the planning process.…
May 15, 2025 , 7:22 am
Yorkshire and Humberside election fever

Yorkshire and Humberside election fever

Margaret Hicks-Clarke – Chair, Yorkshire and Humberside Association of Civic Societies As we arrive in Hull for our YHACS Spring Meeting you may detect a touch of election fever in the air. Devolution has arrived in Hull and East Riding,…
April 24, 2025 , 6:38 am
A view on the English Devolution White Paper

A view on the English Devolution White Paper

Andrew Booton, Chairman, Stourport & Cheltenham Civic Societies While many of us were getting stuck into our Christmas shopping, the Government published its English Devolution white paper. English devolution has been a political anomaly for some years as Scotland, Northern…
April 4, 2025 , 8:55 am

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