Makespace Oxford’s Post

News from the Friends of Whitewebbs Park: Dear Whitewebbs supporters Your response to this appeal has been truly fantastic. The minimum needed to ensure that the case continued was raised in just a few days. With all the additional contributions we raised a strong fighting fund. The decision by Enfield Council and Tottenham to challenge the award of cost capping was a real threat to the campaign. They increased the pressure but with just a few days to go they agreed terms equivalent to those of the original cost capping award. The second bit of good news was that Enfield is no longer going to argue that the park is not public trust land. We have known this, in our hearts, ever since the campaign started. Finally the Council admitted that it held Whitewebbs on public trust. Why on earth did they not investigate this properly in the first place? This week, on the 6th 7th and 8th the full Judicial Review was held in the Royal Courts of Justice. Supporters crammed into the seats available every day. This was a hearing based on written submissions. There were no witnesses or cross examinations, just three barristers putting their cases to the Judge. I cannot praise too highly the preparatory work done by the legal team. There was a vast amount of work involved. This included the finding of vital documents at the London Metropolitan Archives just a few days before the case started. Hence the concession about trust land status. Our barrister’s summation on the last day was a tour de force.m The editor of our local paper, The Enfield Dispatch attended all three days and wrote a daily account of what happened and what was said What happens next? We have to wait. The Judge does not expect to publish his judgement until late March. The legal issues are complex and there is a mass of evidence for the Judge to review. If there are developments before publication of the judgement I will keep you informed. In the early 1800s the Enclosure Acts allowed the wealthy and powerful to enclose common land and restrict people’s rights to this land. The purchase of Whitewebbs and other private estates by enlightened Councils tried to redress this. Now we have corporations and developers starting a new enclosure movement for their own benefit. The public open space of Whitewebbs Park is incredibly important to the People of Enfield. We want to save it for the borough and for future generations. The case is also bigger than any one park or any one local authority. It is about whether the public’s rights to parks and open spaces mean anything, or whether parks are just assets that can be sold off at the whim of a few councillors. A huge thank you to everyone who has made this campaign such a powerful force for defending our open space. Very special thanks to the CPRE, Harriet Child from the PILC and Alex Goodman KC Crowdjustice has been the perfect vehicle for our fundraising – efficient, effective with excellent record keeping.

Civic Action Conversation: Addressing the Gap in Affordable Housing Hear how experts are working together every day to make housing affordability accessible to all and learn what you can do.

Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, supporter and founding member of the Warm Welcome Campaign, writing in Daily Mirror today, says: "What started as an idea to get us through the energy crisis has now become a national institution for now and the years ahead. But as someone who was involved from the outset when Warm Welcome was first conceived, and now seeing the pain of heating bills rising yet again, with perhaps another rise on January 1, I know we now need to do more this winter." “From small beginnings two years ago, Warm Welcome has already become one of the most successful community initiatives. Last winter in places of worship, libraries, museums, sports halls, community centres, and local authorities, Warm Welcome Spaces supported 120,000 visitors a week, and in total 4000 warm welcome spaces across the country have hosted 4.5 million visits where people can come free of charge and enjoy the heat.” Rt Hon Gordon Brown is backing our 100% Pledge Campaign for a #WarmWelcomeForAll.”                   “Today nearly two in every three citizens are within 30 minutes of a Warm Welcome Space in their community. But that's not good enough: so now we have set ourselves a new mission for 2024 and 2025: to ensure that 100% of the population has access to a Warm Welcome Space within walking distance in their local community.” #WarmWelcomeSpace https://lnkd.in/e8eSRWBw

Are you concerned about the state of housing in San Diego and its impact on our community? You're not alone. As part of AREAA San Diego, we invite you to join us for an essential discussion addressing the evolving housing market and its implications for residents, especially within the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. San Diego has seen dramatic changes in housing conditions, becoming increasingly unaffordable for many. This event will explore pressing questions, such as: · What is the current state of the AAPI community in San Diego concerning housing? · What challenges are we facing, and what can we do about them? · How can we leverage and influence housing policy to better meet the needs of our community? We are bringing together esteemed experts and elected leaders to dive deep into these issues, offering valuable insights and potential solutions. Your participation is crucial as we work together to navigate these challenges and advocate for meaningful change. Why Attend? · Gain Insights: Hear from industry experts and policymakers about the current state of the housing market and its impact on our community. · Get Involved: Learn how you can make a difference and influence housing policy. · Connect: Network with like-minded individuals and community leaders who share your concerns and aspirations. This is a pivotal opportunity to voice your concerns, ask questions, and contribute to shaping a more affordable and equitable future for all San Diegans. Don’t miss out on this important event! Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details. Together, we can drive positive change and ensure our community's voice is heard.

Sustainable urban development is only possible and just if it is driven by the assets and needs of communities. Urban regeneration has a long track record of the opposite. Great to see activist researchers and practitioners come together to both figuratively and literally create common ground

We’re incredibly proud to have been a partner on this project with London Borough of Camden who have created the toolkit "Interpreting Statues and Memorials in the Public Realm." As part of a phased programme, Camden Council is reinterpreting around 70 statues and memorials across the borough. This initiative aims to provide balanced and historically accurate narratives that acknowledge both the positive contributions and the more controversial aspects of the figures commemorated. One of the key successes of this project has been the reinterpretation of statues of Virginia Woolf, Noor Inayat Khan, and Bertrand Russell. These reimagined narratives, enriched with diverse perspectives, are now accessible to the public via QR codes, offering a more inclusive view of history. The toolkit emphasises the critical role of community involvement in this process. By engaging local residents in meaningful discussions, we ensure that our public spaces reflect a wide range of voices and stories. Beyond interpretation, the toolkit also offers essential guidance on legal considerations, ownership issues, and project governance, serving as a practical resource for local authorities looking to undertake similar initiatives. Learn more about the project, and also access the toolkit via our website - https://lnkd.in/db4Qf5UU This collaboration highlights the importance of creating public spaces that truly reflect our diverse society. By re-evaluating and reinterpreting public monuments, we not only preserve history but also ensure that it is inclusive and representative of all communities. Art School Plus is proud to have played a role in this vital work. #PublicArt #Inclusivity #CommunityEngagement

The news that Birmingham City Council is to end more than a century of arts funding is another punch to the gut. Last month I wrote a simple truth "The more councils that make such cuts, the more cuts there will be." De-funding is a political choice, and no UK political party is currently truly willing to fight for the arts purely as a public good. So it's down to us - to get on buses, cross the country, leaflet, launch digital campaigns, agitate and motivate audiences. Years ago I was Digital Campaigns bod for the Liberal Democrats - before the coalition when we had 50 MPs. I learned then that even digital campaigning can be powerful (though there's nothing quite like turning up in person). I was probably guilty in the article below of swerving a clear prescription - one practical thing that would help right now is for one of those really rather wealthy Lords who had lovely things to say about the arts to throw a fraction of their wealth behind a campaigning vehicle - either boosting an existing organisation or kick-starting a new one - acting as its Patron, providing cash, Westminster access, and a name to open doors in town and city halls. It's a well-deployed format. What do you say, Melvyn? Despite (and not to diminish for a second) the great campaigns currently being effectively fought by a range of organisations on MANY fronts, we are in danger of abandoning phenomenal, and phenomenally busy, local arts leaders to fight their own local battles, and that'd be a big strategic mistake. They need more resource for this fight, and to not continually re-invent the wheel. We can draw inspiration from CILIP who very effectively fight library closures, and from the My Theatre Matters campaign from a decade ago. Bugger it, we can even draw inspiration from the effectiveness of the Brexit campaign - and be a glorious counter-example.

We’ve identified which cities in the UK invest the most into the creative industry. Backed by research and data… Read the blog to find out how much money is invested into your city! —— Creativity is at the heart of everything that Berlew does - and it’s imperative that, at grassroots level, creativity continues to be nurtured. We’ve conducted research that has identified the gaps in creative funding across the UK, and highlighted regions and sectors that lack adequate financial support. We’ve looked at population sizes of cities across the UK, before comparing it with data from: • Arts Council England • Department for Culture, Media and Sport • Local council arts funding awards To understand how much, per 10,000 people in every city, is invested into the creative sector. What are your thoughts on the importance of creative funding? Share your ideas below! 👇      #ArtsFunding #UrbanDevelopment #CommunityEngagement

Organizations across the city came together to share lessons learned and reflect on what is connect struggles in Birmingham. What we found was common ground. We face similar challenges. We are exhausted, we lack time and resources, and we live a city whose future is imagined based on projections that have already proven unviable. Communities are now urged to take over services, with the voluntary sector being called upon to respond to the crisis. Yet, at the same time, communities are not allowed to actively and meaningfully participate in decision-making. Decisions about places, communities, services, and the environment are made without a clear democratic mandate. Power is opaque, and scrutinizing how decisions are made remains difficult. Consultation remains tokenistic, and decision-making is a black box. Our response is a demand for our public services to be funded, to reclaim public space and the commons and assert the power of communities in shaping decisions. This is for both the present and the future. The demands of struggles across the city form the coordinates of what a just future could look like. Thank you to Edgbaston Reservoir for all, Better Streets for Birmingham, CIVIC Square, Birmingham Climate Justice Coalition, Birmingham Friends of the Earth, Karis Neighbour Scheme, Birmingham Loves Libraries, Birmingham Settlement, SEND Children campaign and BrumRise Up, Save Smallbrook Coalition, Birmingham Fair Housing Campaign, Ladywood Unite And co-organisers Fuad Musallam, John Munro, Laura Kudrna and Leslie Fesenmyer

Event Registration Progress Report (as of Feb 22nd): In our latest registration update, we're sharing some key highlights and insights to keep our audience informed: Registration Activity: 275 registered attendees have been recorded, reflecting robust participation from across the industry and well on track to reach our anticipated 500 delegates. Demographic breakdown is 55% public-sector and 45% private/non-profit enterprises. Highlights: We recently welcomed a wave of new registration activity from a diverse group of local housing authorities and developers. Notably, participants from organizations such as the City of Dallas - Dept of Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization, New York City Dept of Housing Preservation & Development, New Mexico State Land Office, and Miami-Dade Public Housing and Community Development have joined us. Geography: Attendees represent nearly 100 cities/counties/states, further emphasizing the national scope of the event. Representation from The City of Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix and San Diego top the list of registration activity, indicating significant participation from both coasts and the heartland. Acknowledgements: Numerous registrations have been received from airport authorities, state land offices, and universities. Also, housing authorities across the nation with participation from the State of Hawaii, State of Vermont, County of Santa Barbara, Harris County, and major cities like Portland, Albuquerque, Denver, Detroit, Tulsa, Phoenix, Houston, Austin, and Detroit, among many others. Visit https://lnkd.in/ewPWeHWZ to learn more about who's attending