July 1, 2025

Our Operations Manager, Bridget Johns, takes a look at how Community Power is best achieved when local authorities and community groups work together effectively:

Community power doesn’t mean doing it all alone. Real change often happens when grassroots groups and local authorities work together — each bringing different strengths and perspectives.

That’s why Cumberland Council is working to develop a shared definition of community power as a vital first step before the real work of implementation with support from Cumbria CVS. As a key part of this process, I attended a definition workshop in early June to help build a shared language and sense of purpose.

To make community power real, it’s important for councils to move beyond consultation and embrace joint working and true co-creation.

 

What Could Community Power Look Like?

Below are some examples of what Cumberland Council can and are doing.

✅ Funding based on trust
Simplify funding processes for small groups, offer micro-grants and core support, and trust grassroots knowledge without tying funding to top-down priorities.

✅ Community at the heart of decision-making
Involve local people early. Co-design priorities around health, wellbeing, and community safety. Use tools like Cumberland’s 8 Community Panels to shape delivery.

✅ Stronger relationships
Council staff should spend time in communities, build trust, and attend local events. Assign community link officers and create regular, informal dialogue spaces. Cumberland staff do this, particularly the Community Development Officers.

✅ Invest in community infrastructure
Support anchor organisations and community hubs. Offer access to council buildings at low or no cost. Provide training and support in partnership with voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations. Cumberland Council have multiple community hubs, and are continuing to review how VCFSE organisations can access their buildings across Cumberland for free or at a low cost.

✅ Share power — not just tasks
Include community reps on decision-making boards. Use Participatory Budgeting. Trial community-led commissioning. Currently there are community reps sitting on the Community Panels.

 

Community power needs trust, respect, and flexibility — not box-ticking or top-down control.

VCFSE organisations need:

✅ To be listened to and taken seriously

✅ To be paid fairly for their time and expertise

✅ The freedom to say what works — and what doesn’t

✅ The ability to work in ways that truly reflect their communities

It’s essential that systems should make space for community — and communities should have power in the system.

I believe Cumbria CVS is uniquely placed to walk alongside community organisations — not just as a support provider, but as a true partner in creating the conditions for community power to thrive, grow, and become a lasting reality in Cumbria. We know both councils are making real strides with this agenda, I’m excited to be part of the developments in Cumberland, while my colleague Gabi Lipska is actively engaged in the process with Westmorland and Furness Council.

If Cumbria goes down the route of having an elected Mayor, it could provide a real opportunity to enhance community power through more joined-up leadership, place-based decision-making, and greater accountability to local communities.