Civic Voice

Co Chair of Civic Voice, Andrew Jackson, has now taken over this account due to the departure of our CEO.

Clarification about our AGM and discussion about the future of the charity civicvoice.org.uk/2025/09/22/a...

Board announces resignation of Civic Voice CEO - more here: civicvoice.org.uk/2025/08/27/c...

You know the drill! Only three days left to submit your entry for our Architectural Photography Competition: wakefieldcivicsociety.org.uk/2025-archite...

Is this the end of democratic planning?  - Town and Country Planning Association The TCPA’s Director of Policy, Hugh Ellis, argues that the changes set out in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill risk being divisive and counterproductive.

🗣️ At its best, planning is participative, open & inclusive. This requires a democratic framework that empowers everyone to take part in decisions affecting them.
🚧 However, the Planning & Infrastructure Bill threatens local democratic accountability & shuts out communities' voices.
shorturl.at/D59PO

WOW - the walk to school challenge WOW - our walk to school challenge - rewards primary school pupils who walk to school at least once a week with a monthly collectable badge.

It's a new school year in Scotland! 🥳 Is your school taking part in WOW - the walk to school challenge? livingstreets.org.uk/wow Walking and wheeling to school is a great way to start the day and fewer cars lead to safer streets and better air quality 🚶‍♀️👨‍🦽🛴🚴‍♀️

Early ripening of berries in UK shows nature is under stress, say experts Hot summer also causing trees to shed their leaves as concerns raised over ‘food gap’ for wildlife in autumn

🍂Leaves falling off the trees in August? We all know this isn't right.

Signs there's something seriously wrong with our climate are all around us - but politicians continue to ignore them.

It couldn't be clearer we need action on climate change now.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

📢 Vacancy: we have an exciting opportunity to join the TCPA as the Osborn Research Assistant (New Towns & Garden Cities).

This role works on a wide variety of projects but has a particular emphasis on large-scale new communities including New Towns & Garden Cities.
www.tcpa.org.uk/osborn-resea...

Tickets - Locality Locality Convention ‘25 offers unique access to the most inspiring and pioneering leaders, policy-makers, thinkers and doers, whose ambitious work is transforming our communities.

We can’t wait for #Locality25 Convention this November – join us to learn about the latest best practices and bold new approaches for community organisations.

📅 12 and 13 November 2025
📍 Liverpool FC, Anfield Stadium
🎟️Tickets: locality.org.uk/events/local...

What impact do out-of-town shopping malls have on high streets?🛍️

Megamalls squeeze their surrounding high streets but successful centres will be those that offer something different to their out-of-town neighbours.

Read the blog from @paulswinney.bsky.social 👇
buff.ly/kvzYiCG

Economic Research Internship - Centre for Cities This is a fantastic opportunity for someone seeking a first step in the world of policy and research. The post holder would gain in-depth experience of a

We are #hiring an Economic Research Intern at the Centre for Cities 💼

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone seeking a first step in the world of policy and research!

Apply now 👇
www.centreforcities.org/about/career...

Just 2 weeks left to send your entries in for our Architectural Photography Competition! Yes, the deadline of 5pm on Friday, 29th August is just two weeks away so don't delay! We want to see your photographs of Wakefield's buildings. See: wakefieldcivicsociety.org.uk/2025-archite...

Heritage Open Days Lewes, 12th - 14th September 2025
Visit places you normally can’t!
friends-of-lewes.org.uk/hod2025/
#FriendsOfLewes
#HeritageOpenDays
#LoveLewes

Free Heritage Open Days exhibition and tours coming up - don't miss out on learning about 1,900 years of history on one site!!

Here's a link to learn more about #HeritageOpenDays 2025 here in #Colchester:

www.visitcolchester.com/event/herita...

Protected Sycamore in Buxton’s Hogshaw Woods (managed by #Buxton Civic Association) Targeted in ‘Sycamore Gap-Like’ Vandalism civicvoice.org.uk/2025/08/21/p...

Get in touch if:-
📍There is no society in your area and you’d like to think about starting one
📍Your society details are incorrect or you’d like to add to them
📍Your society isn’t included - either because we’ve missed it or you’ve yet to join Civic Voice

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civicvoice.org.uk/members-dire...

🗂️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. 1/2

A green slide with the text "What is social infrastructure?" on the left. On the right is a dark gray icon of a building with people icons below it, representing a community. The bottom right corner has a logo for "COMMUNITY FUND" and a right-pointing arrow.

A green slide with the text "Social infrastructure refers to the framework of institutions and physical spaces that support shared civic life." on the left. On the right is a dark gray icon of two hands clasping in a handshake. The bottom right corner has a logo for "COMMUNITY FUND" and a right-pointing arrow.

A green slide with the text "Community centres, pubs, and parks offer spaces for people to connect, build relationships and trust - essential for thriving communities." On the right is a dark gray icon of a large hand holding three people and a plant sprout, representing a community being nurtured. The bottom right corner has a logo for "COMMUNITY FUND" and a right-pointing arrow.

Evidence shows that social infrastructure is essential for building safer, healthier, and more resilient communities.

It also plays an important role in improving socio-economic outcomes in deprived areas & serving as a foundation for economic growth.

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Looking forward to Heritage Open Days 2025 Wed 20th August 2025 at 7.30 pm / Town Hall Lecture Room (entrance in Fisher Street) plus ZOOM ONLINE. A preview of the programme by Marcus Taylor for the 2025 Heritage Open Days weekend in Lewes (…

friends-of-lewes.org.uk/2025/08/01/l...

Get in touch if:-
📍There is no society in your area and you’d like to think about starting one
📍Your society details are incorrect or you’d like to add to them
📍Your society isn’t included - either because we’ve missed it or you’ve yet to join Civic Voice

2/2

civicvoice.org.uk/members-dire...

🗂️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. 1/2

@cheltcivicsoc.bsky.social launches Battlefield Crosses museum website civicvoice.org.uk/2025/08/05/c...

One month to go - yes, just 28 days - to send us your photographs of Wakefield's architecture if you want to enter our photo competition. The deadline is 5pm on Friday, 29th August - but don't leave it until the last moment! Send us your entries now: wakefieldcivicsociety.org.uk/2025-archite...

Aerial shot of Bournemouth flats intersperced with lots of trees

Nature Towns and Cities launches with £15million investment @naturetownscities.bsky.social #NatureRecovery #UrbanWellbeing

civicvoice.org.uk/2025/07/29/n...

Light - a civic issue?

The view from our office. Well, not underground obviously. *waves*

The @histenvforum.bsky.social has released the Historic Environment Overview for 2024-25, highlighting the contributions of England’s #heritage sector over the past fiscal year. This publication was created with Historic England.

Read the new report: historicengland.org.uk/research/her...

Which schemes are vying for the 2025 Stephen Lawrence Prize? Which schemes are vying for the 2025 Stephen Lawrence Prize?

The RIBA has announced the six projects by up-and-coming architects in the running for this year’s Stephen Lawrence Prize

The Local Government Association (@local.gov.uk) has officially endorsed a climate statutory duty for England! 🥳
Read our full response: climateemergency.uk/release-coun...

Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change. Air pollution fell substantially as the city restricted car traffic and made way for parks and bike lanes.

“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.”

Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability & quality of life.

Common sense.

Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.