Edrec thames gateway localism

Transformational localism in the Thames Gateway James Kennell Graham Symon Economic Development Resource Centre

Context
Economic / Fiscal Crisis
Developing policy discourses
Regionalism to Localism
New governance arrangements for economic development

The ‘New Localism’
We’ve been here before?
Rhetoric of:
decentralisation / devolution
‘ empowerment’
Reality:
de facto centralisation of administrative control
marginalisation of local government?

The New Localism
What’s new?
Necessity; the mother of invention?
Innovation
less reliance on public sector
manufacturing / export?
Real solutions to crisis/decline can only be found locally
Local communities:
policy, business, civil society, citizens
partnerships

Thames Gateway

Options / Models for the Thames Gateway
Archetypes:
‘ Bureaucratic’
‘ Rentier’
‘ Insurgency’
‘ Transformationalism’

‘ Bureaucratic’ – state-driven
Classic social democratic scenario
State expansion post-1945
Keynesian, Berevidge
Paternalist?
Corporatist?
Top-down
‘ Steering’ and ‘rowing’

‘ Rentier’ – corporate driven
Rhetoric of ‘what business needs/wants’
Attracting / incentivising investment
Public funds
grants (within what European law permits!)
tax breaks
Social externalities?
How much licence should industry be allowed?
Diversity?

‘ Insurgency’ – community driven
Economic decline / transition resulting in social problems
Manifested in resistance, disaffection
Citizen action hallmark of healthy democracy
‘ Bottom-up’
Coalitions of civil society, faith, ethnic, labour organisations, campaigning, seeking change
North America (‘Rust Belt’)
South America (various)
UK (TELCO, community unionism)
Energy can be harnessed under the right circumstances

‘ Transformational’ – the integrated approach
Allowing the conditions to prevail that enable complementary contributions from stakeholders
State: robust but not overbearing; as local as possible
Industry: investment / entrepreneurialism / sustainable economic activity crucial; social externalities should be optimised
Communities: cynicism / alienation must be overcome; rhetoric must meet reality
Policy makers should not fear collective action
Ultimately, what works locally is down to contingent factors:
Arms-length central state
Responsible business
Engaged communities

Some practical interventions for the Thames Gateway
Localising finance
a Thames Gateway Investment Bond
Local currency?
Localising ownership
assets / resources / capacity freed from central state control .... but beware the ‘Rentier’
Localising opportunity
Reinstating historic role of municipality in economic governance matters
Production and consumption brought into proximity
Partnerships: skills / labour markets
Localising accountability
Not only local action, but local control
Local Development Index (LDI)
Informatting

Concluding thoughts
Thames Gateway faces challenges (in common with many geographies)
Localism may provide key opportunities
Must develop institutions that foster innovation and trust between stakeholders
Radical action may be necessary

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Edrec thames gateway localism

by James Kennell

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