COVID-19 and Local Authorities: the importance of social integration, regeneration, and learning

Dr. Alex Prior, Social Integration and Regeneration Learning Network, LondonMetropolitan University

Our first blog post for the Social Integration and Regeneration Learning Network discusses the impact of COVID-19 on local authorities, and associated challenges and opportunities. In discussing this impact (and responses to it), we will outline the importance of social integration and regeneration, and the timeliness of our network in providing facilitated discussion and reflective learning.

Impact on Local Authorities

The impact of COVID-19 on local authorities is apparent across a wide range of areas. Financial impact has been a particularly high-profile discussion, given that “local government finances…were already in a difficult position following a decade in which overall resources were cut by more than a quarter” (London Councils, 2020).

The question of impact nevertheless goes beyond finance. In introducing the Social Integration and Regeneration Learning Network, Professor Diana Stirbu, from London Metropolitan University, commented that “the COVID-19 crisis has challenged all aspects of our lives, from the way in which we use public space, provide and access services, to our socialising habits”.

This is particularly relevant to local authorities and the myriad services they provide. For example, health and care charity The King’s Fund commented that COVID-19 has “in many places, fundamentally changed the way care was being delivered”, impacting the degree of unmet need, the health and care workforce and its providers, and the relationships between services.

The breadth of COVID-19’s impact on local authorities is also reflected in the Government’s introduction of practical measures to give councils greater flexibility and focus their resources. These measures (detailed fully in a press release by the Local Government Secretary) included councils postponing local, mayoral and Police & Crime Commissioner elections, and using their own discretion on deadlines for Freedom of Information requests.

As these measures illustrate, COVID-19 poses key questions relating to democratic decision-making, and the shape of local government during and after the crisis. There are additional questions concerning BAME communities, health and care, and global learning. These questions illustrate the importance of social integration, regeneration, and learning — and the timeliness of a dedicated network facilitating reflective learning across local authorities.

Impact Response: Social Integration, Regeneration, and Learning

Maintaining a commitment to social integration is vital for post-COVID recovery plans in local contexts. The Mayor of London’s ‘All of Us’ Strategy (2018) defines social integration as

the extent to which people positively interact and connect with others who are different to themselves. It is determined by the level of equality between people, the nature of their relationships, and their degree of participation in the communities in which they live.

COVID-19 has exposed (and exacerbated) long standing inequalities within the UK, as evidenced in a rapid response review conducted by the University of Manchester (commissioned by the GLA) on the impact of COVID-19. In discussing impact, the review gave particular focus to those with protected characteristics, and those living in poorer, or more precarious, socioeconomic circumstances. It observed that

the increased risks associated with COVID-19 are a core component of wider ethnic inequalities in health and the negative consequences of a COVID-19 infection are amplified by pre-existing ethnic inequalities in health, both of which are driven by social and economic inequalities.

As well as illustrating the increased risks posed by COVID-19 to minority groups within the UK, the findings of the review reinforce the relationship between social integration and regeneration, and the importance of both to local authorities.

Regeneration can drive positive change in our towns and cities through physical, social, environmental and economic transformation if done with social integration at the core. The importance of embedding social integration principles within regeneration (all the more apparent in the context of COVID-19) has been affirmed by the GLA Social Integration and Regeneration teams:

Social integration means enabling people to have positive and meaningful relationships across differences, supporting people to play an active part in their communities and reducing barriers and inequalities. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the fundamental importance relationships, participation and equality have in sustaining healthy and resilient communities.

Regeneration is vital for both helping to create the conditions to improve social integration and for implementing interventions that are catalysts for social integration. London’s neighbourhoods, high streets and public spaces are vital spaces for bringing people together, joining in locally and accessing important services. Social infrastructure like places of worship and community centres are important for community gathering and organising. High streets and markets which reflect London’s diverse population give us experiences across differences and help everyone to feel included. Accessible and affordable playing fields support people to come together through sport.

Further to the Mayor of London announcing the city’s first Social Integration strategy, the Social Integration Design Lab (2018/19) outlined several ideas for how social integration outcomes could be embedded into regeneration processes. These included:

• Bringing community attention to under-appreciated spaces
• Adopting a ‘neighbourhoods approach’ to public service provision
• Harnessing high street spaces as visible places for new partnerships
• Involving young people in estate regeneration — promoting a long-term participative mind-set
• Reacting to redevelopment plans with responsive research
• Embedding social integration aims into commissioning

More broadly, COVID-19 has illustrated the opportunities for learning from other authorities (both within and beyond the UK). Commenting on the need for reflective learning across all of London’s regeneration teams during COVID-19 recovery, the GLA Social Integration and Regeneration teams observed that

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that boroughs and civil society organisations have had to respond and adapt in a fast changing and uncertain context, and it is likely this will continue as we move into winter and a potential second wave. The learning network will provide the space and support to learn from one another, what has worked well and what hasn’t, and explore how regeneration can improve social integration to support the recovery of London and ensure our city continues to reflect and be a home to all Londoners.

This type of reflective learning — facilitated by effective dialogue — speaks to the ethos, methods and objectives of the Social Integration and Regeneration Learning Network. In bringing together urban regeneration and social integration professionals, experts and academics, we can share insights and best practice across London boroughs and develop collaborative ways of learning.

Are you interested in participating in our learning network? Register your interest here.