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Locality Convention '26 -

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Building Thriving Neighbourhoods: The Locality Manifesto

Through the new Locality Manifesto, we’re calling for a “community power revolution”. We know that local communities are best placed to transform lives and create a fairer society.

We need your help to share our policy calls. Share a one-page version of the manifesto, and read our guidance on contacting your MP.

Locality Manifesto Building Thriving Neighbourhoods front cover

To achieve a community power revolution, we are calling on the government to make five big reforms

1
Introduce a Community Power Act

to strengthen community rights. This act will give new rights for communities to take control of local buildings and spaces, shape public services, and control local investment. It will also see the creation of radical new power sharing arrangements to tilt power towards local people.

2
Create a National Community Ownership Strategy

that boosts community ownership and capacity from energy to housing to health.

3
Put communities in charge of local economic development

giving residents more control over local regeneration spending and devolving employment and skills support to the hyper-local level.

4
Make collaboration – not competition - the guiding principle of public services

Reforming commissioning and shifting NHS budgets to community-led prevention.

5
Champion community-led housing and neighbourhood planning

giving communities a tangible stake in their neighbourhoods.

“Communities are achieving amazing things against the odds and despite the barriers. Now is the time to bring community power from the margins to the mainstream and support communities everywhere. Now is the time for a community power revolution”.

Tony Armstrong
Tony Armstrong
CEO, Locality

Locality members are doing incredible things against the odds up and down the country to help their communities thrive. We want to make sure Westminster knows about them.

Are you a Locality member? Do you have an amazing example of community power in action and a connection to your MP? Let us know! We want to showcase it alongside the Locality Manifesto to show what our sector can achieve with the right support.

To get in touch, contact policy@locality.org.uk.

Report
60
min
read
Keys to the future: How we build a new era of community ownership
With the right strategy, investment and support, community ownership can do far more than save at-risk buildings and spaces: it can create inclusive jobs, tackle isolation and strengthen cohesion.
Published: 03 July 2026
News
02
min
read
How the new government could harness community power
Locality reacts to the new Labour government, and sets out how it could work with community organisations to achieve more.
Published: 09 July 2024
Our Influencing work
Contact your MP
Guidance to help community organisations engage with and influence their MP
Our Influencing work
We're Right Here
The We’re Right Here campaign is a group of community leaders calling for more powers for communities over their area, buildings and spaces, services and funding. We believe local people should shape the places where they live.
News
02
min
read
Power partners: How community organisations are breathing new life into local democracy
A new Locality report shows how local community organisations are re-engaging people where they are turning their backs on local democracy.
Published: 02 May 2024
News
02
min
read
Locality reacts to General Election manifestos
Whitehall doesn’t have the answers: the next government will need to look local
Published: 14 June 2024
A new era of community ownership depends on sustainable, fit-for-purpose buildings
 
News
15
min
read
A new era of community ownership depends on sustainable, fit-for-purpose buildings
Our new joint report sets out the case for government funding to increase the energy efficiency of community buildings.
Published: 12 August 2026
Seeing hope for communities in an Andy Burnham government
 
News
15
min
read
Seeing hope for communities in an Andy Burnham government
As the former Mayor of Greater Manchester moves into Number 10, we consider how his previous community power credentials could translate into national policy.
Published: 20 July 2026
New Community Right to Buy Fund introduced
 
News
15
min
read
New Community Right to Buy Fund introduced
Following our campaigning, the government has now introduced a Community Right to Buy Fund, £61m to support , making it easier for communities to take valued local buildings and spaces into community ownership.
Published: 17 June 2026