This workshop provided a rapid overview of the key issues in community development and community organising. Michael Pitchford - Locally Made  & Tony Herrmann – COGS outlined the changes in political and practical approaches and pulling out the key differences. The debate then focused on what is, and can, be achieved in the current political and financial context.

The key discussion points that emerges were:

1 CO may be ‘reasonable’ but may not be significant or interesting?

2 Will all the lost (redundant / retires etc) CD workers still be very active? – in their communities

3 What is left in communities after CD has gone?

·    Tangible structures, resources etc

·    Skills, knowledge, capacity etc

4 CD (Alinsky style) should raise political opposition to the state – in alternative network / structure

5 KNH has tenant involvement but maybe they have become co-opted – where is the challenge?

6 invited spaces v demanded spaces – (for citizen state interaction).

Direct Action – HSBC example – citizens UK – living wage

7 Key – Analysis of power / Dealing with conflict