Investing in Localism

Power to Change and Social Finance are calling on local authorities to rethink the way they make investments in pursuit of income for local services.  In a paper published today, the independent trust supporting community businesses and not-for-profit organisation highlight how councils can invest in the community in a way that delivers economic, social and environmental benefits for council taxpayers, at the same time as delivering a financial return for councils.  They highlight enlightened local authorities already pursuing this strategy and call on more to use their balance sheets and access to flexible, long-term finance from the Public Works Loan Board to better benefit the communities they serve.