Gordon Morris | University of Exeter (original) (raw)

Papers by Gordon Morris

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance

Town and parish councils are the English government bodies closest to local people. Hierarchicall... more Town and parish councils are the English government bodies closest to local people. Hierarchically, they are subordinate to both national and higher tier local governments (unitary, county and borough/district councils). Town councillors represent approximately 11,000,000 people; one-fifth of the population of England. Their mainly small towns will be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union (‘Brexit’). To what extent is not known, but councillors will have roles to play in determining how their towns respond. This paper presents and discusses the views of 156 respondents to an online survey, some of whom were also interviewed. Councillors, town clerks, academics, and interested individuals with policy and practical experience of the sector contributed. Although respondents’ views differ (eg, as to whether town councils should have more powers), most believe they will have to do more. Indeed, they want to do more, especially in rel...

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2018

The research discussed in this paper arose from the writer’s interest in United Kingdom (UK) rura... more The research discussed in this paper arose from the writer’s interest in United Kingdom (UK) rural policy, government and governance. Its aims were to: 1) find out the extent to which the participants in the research, many of whom are involved in UK local government, were aware of the non-governmental advisory and support organisations that, from 1909 until 2013, were involved with rural policy; and 2) establish the loci of influence in relation to aspects of rural policy. The data, gathered from interviews and an online questionnaire, suggests that political influence lies primarily with the Conservative Party, whose elected members run the district and county councils. Other sources of influence include the middle and landed classes. There is ambiguity, however. Some clerks and councillors admitted that they do not know where influence lies; suggesting that they, at least, do not believe it lies with them. Awareness of the organisations is unsurprisingly varied according to the pa...

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2015

For more than 100 years, non-landed and non-Establishment interests in rural England were represe... more For more than 100 years, non-landed and non-Establishment interests in rural England were represented by a succession of three quasi-independent government bodies (quangos). These were the Development/Rural Development Commissions, the Countryside Agency, and the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC). Their roles embraced, to varying degrees, policy, practice, and advocacy. In 2013 the British government closed the CRC and absorbed aspects of its responsibilities into the civil service. The implications of this decision for the disadvantaged people and places of rural England are explored. The potential for land-related interest groups and traditional elites to increase their influence as a consequence, is considered.First, by way of context, the histories of the three quangos and the main interest groups are described. The views of the latter – and others with related interests - were sought (unsuccessfully), together with the opinions of people involved in one or more of the quan...

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2014

The research discussed in this paper was prompted by the writer’s interest in the roles of Englan... more The research discussed in this paper was prompted by the writer’s interest in the roles of England’s small country (“market”) towns. It has two aims: first, to discover the extent to which the work programmes announced in the British government’s Rural White Paper (RWP 2000) (DETR-MAFF 2000) are recognised by town clerks, and second, to find out what town councils are doing, either on their own, or with others, and to gauge the potential and desire that they have for a greater degree of autonomy. In both cases the data was gathered from an online questionnaire sent to town clerks.

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2022

Town and parish councils are the English government bodies closest to local people. Hierarchicall... more Town and parish councils are the English government bodies closest to local people. Hierarchically, they are subordinate to both national and higher tier local governments (unitary, county and borough/district councils). Town councillors represent approximately 11,000,000 people; one-fifth of the population of England. Their mainly small towns will be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union ('Brexit'). To what extent is not known, but councillors will have roles to play in determining how their towns respond. This paper presents and discusses the views of 156 respondents to an online survey, some of whom were also interviewed. Councillors, town clerks, academics, and interested individuals with policy and practical experience of the sector contributed. Although respondents' views differ (eg, as to whether town councils should have more powers), most believe they will have to do more. Indeed, they want to do more, especially in relation to planning, housing and transport. They are, however, uncertain about how to achieve their aims, given the constraints of time and resources on a mainly volunteer body, their partial dependence on higher-tier authorities, and the need for, as some strongly believe, effective monitoring of standards, performance, transparency, and accountability.

Paper given at the conference: 'Rural futures: dreams, dilemmas, dangers', University of ... more Paper given at the conference: 'Rural futures: dreams, dilemmas, dangers', University of Plymouth, 1-4th April 2008

Submitted by Gordon Ralph Morris, MSc (Seale Hayne, University of Plymouth), CertEd(FE) (Universi... more Submitted by Gordon Ralph Morris, MSc (Seale Hayne, University of Plymouth), CertEd(FE) (University of Greenwich), to the University of Exeter as a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Politics, June 2010. This thesis is available for Library use on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgment. I certify that all material in this thesis which is not my own work has been identified and that no material has previously been submitted and approved for the award of a degree by this or any other university.

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2017

This is a book that needed to be written. First published in 2014, Ines Newman takes a timely, re... more This is a book that needed to be written. First published in 2014, Ines Newman takes a timely, refreshing, and broad look at local government. Although it relates mainly to the UK, colleagues throughout the Commonwealth will find this book both interesting and relevant. Her thoughtful approach has, I think, optimism at its heart. The work is an effective counterpoint to the prevailing neoliberal orthodoxy that “austerity”, with its consequential public sector cuts, is unavoidable. As Newman makes clear, “austerity” is a political choice.

Parish/Town councils are the third-some would say, first-tier of government in England, hierarchi... more Parish/Town councils are the third-some would say, first-tier of government in England, hierarchically below central government in London, and county/district/borough councils. Their councillors represent the approximately 11,000,000 people who live in these, mainly smaller, towns; one-fifth of the population of England. These places will be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union ("Brexit"). To what extent is not known, but councillors will have roles to play in determining how their towns respond. Their views about councils' possible future roles were gathered via an online survey and interviews, and are presented and discussed. Clerks, academics, and interested individuals with policy and practical and professional experience of the sector, also contributed. Although participants' views differ (e.g., as to whether councils should have more powers), most want to do more, especially in relation to planning, housing and transport. They are, however, uncertain about how to achieve their aims, given the constraints of time and resources on a mainly volunteer body, their partial dependence on higher authorities, and the need for effective monitoring of standards, performance, transparency, and accountability.

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2012

The Market Towns Initiative (MTI), a UK community-led development programme, operated throughout ... more The Market Towns Initiative (MTI), a UK community-led development programme, operated throughout rural England from 2000 until 2005/6. It was designed to help local people, with professional support, identify – and then capitalize on – the economic, environmental and social strengths and weaknesses of small country towns. This paper explains the origins and ways of working of the MTI. Examples of the topics explored and participants’ views are given, and conclusions drawn. The opportunity is also taken to explain how interest in the roles of England’s small country towns grew in the years following the Second World War, and how this led to the development of the MTI. Evidence suggests that the programme worked well. It demonstrated that local people have the enthusiasm, skills and knowledge to take a lead in the development of the places in which they live; something which, until local government reforms changed roles and structures, was largely taken for granted.

This note summarizes the results of a survey of town clerks in England’s small (“market”) towns. ... more This note summarizes the results of a survey of town clerks in England’s small (“market”) towns. The survey was designed to find out how many towns have, have had, are intending to have, or have never had, a food bank.

Two broadly similar surveys were conducted in 2013 and 2016. The data obtained from this survey are in line with those from the previous surveys, in that they show that the number of foodbanks has continued to increase. The rate of the increase, however, has slowed.

The narrow focus of the three surveys is deliberate. It reflects the writer’s interest in small towns, rural poverty, and the relationship between these towns and their hinterlands, aspects of which he researched in the 2000s, when few towns had foodbanks., Since then the number of foodbanks has increased to the point where most towns have one; something which would have been virtually unimaginable in the 1990s. The change is significant. The normalization of foodbanks has implications, politically, and morally. The findings of this, the two previous surveys, other research and media coverage, suggests that things have got worse.

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2017

The research discussed in this paper arose from the writer's interest in United Kingdom (UK) rura... more The research discussed in this paper arose from the writer's interest in United Kingdom (UK) rural policy, government and governance. Its aims were to: 1) find out the extent to which the participants in the research, many of whom are involved in UK local government, were aware of the non-governmental advisory and support organisations that, from 1909 until 2013, were involved with rural policy; and 2) establish the loci of influence in relation to aspects of rural policy. The data, gathered from interviews and an online questionnaire, suggests that political influence lies primarily with the Conservative Party, whose elected members run the district and county councils. Other sources of influence include the middle and landed classes. There is ambiguity, however. Some clerks and councillors admitted that they do not know where influence lies; suggesting that they, at least, do not believe it lies with them. Awareness of the organisations is unsurprisingly varied according to the participants' backgrounds. Overall, the data suggests that the more remote organisations were physically from 'work on the ground', and the more years that have passed since their closure, the lower the awareness of their existence and work.

This note summarizes the results of a survey designed to find out how many small country towns in... more This note summarizes the results of a survey designed to find out how many small country towns in England have food banks. The survey, which was sent to town clerks, is essentially a repeat of a similar survey conducted in 2013, the results of which were reported in the Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance (http://dx.doi.org/10.5130/cjlg.v0i0.4063). The data gathered suggest that the number of food banks in small towns is growing. The implications of this for rural areas are not clear, but it is safe to infer that the long standing problems associated with rural disadvantage will be exacerbated by this trend.

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, Jun 14, 2015

In 2013 the British government closed the CRC and absorbed aspects of its responsibilities into the civil service. The implications of this decision for the disadvantaged people and places of rural England are explored. The potential for land-related interest groups and traditional elites to increase their influence as a consequence, is considered.

First, by way of context, the histories of the three quangos and the main interest groups are described. The views of the latter – and others with related interests - were sought (unsuccessfully), together with the opinions of people involved in one or more of the quangos, and, or, the civil service successor unit. These are presented and discussed. Conclusions relating to consequential “gaps” in independent policy and research are drawn.

The aim is to stimulate discussion about the implications for rural England of closing the CRC, for it is possible that the loss of this small organization may have unexpected long-term consequences. The eventual significance of this decision has yet to be determined.

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance (http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/cjlg), Jun 30, 2014

The research discussed in this paper was prompted by the writer’s interest in the roles of Englan... more The research discussed in this paper was prompted by the writer’s interest in the roles of England’s small country (“market”) towns. It has two aims: first, to discover the extent to which the work programmes announced in the British government’s Rural White Paper of 2000 are recognised by town clerks, and second, to find out what town councils are doing, either on their own, or with others, and then to gauge the potential and desire they have for a greater degree of autonomy. In both cases the data were gathered from an online questionnaire sent to town clerks.

Evidence from a small scale research project conducted as part of an M.Sc course suggests that mi... more Evidence from a small scale research project conducted as part of an M.Sc course suggests that micro-finance schemes have the potential to help people in rural areas of England who are financially disadvantaged by, for example, ill health or location, into employment.

(The fact that some of the embedded links in the paper no longer work makes the point that some policy-related programme/initiatives have a very short shelf-life.)

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance , Dec 17, 2012

"The Market Towns Initiative (MTI), a UK community-led development programme, operated throughout... more "The Market Towns Initiative (MTI), a UK community-led development programme, operated throughout rural England from 2000 until 2005/6. It was designed to help local people, with
professional support, identify – and then capitalize on – the economic, environmental and social strengths and weaknesses of small country towns.
This paper explains the origins and ways of working of the MTI. Examples of the topics explored and participants’ views are given, and conclusions drawn. The opportunity is also taken to explain how interest in the roles of England’s small country towns grew in the years following the Second World War, and how this led to the development of the MTI.
Evidence suggests that the programme worked well. It demonstrated that local people have the enthusiasm, skills and knowledge to take a lead in the development of the places in which they live; something which, until local government reforms changed roles and structures, was largely taken for granted."

Summary In 1954 and 1955 the then University of Bristol’s Province II of the Provincial Agricu... more Summary

In 1954 and 1955 the then University of Bristol’s Province II of the Provincial Agricultural Economics Service (then based in Newton Abbot, Devon, UK ) carried out a survey of the physical and economic conditions of farming on the Culm Measures soils of North West Devon. This survey was undertaken at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF)2 in furtherance of the Government’s continuing post-war policy of increasing home food production in response to severe balance of payments problems besetting the nation’s economy. Part of that policy extended to a review of the potential which existed for increased output in areas of the country hitherto considered to be marginal in terms of farming. North West Devon was one such area.

A summary of the survey’s findings and a number of conclusions drawn from them were duly submitted to and accepted by MAFF and the responsibilities and obligations assumed by Bristol II Province in carrying out the survey thereby discharged. However, the bulk of the material from which the summary was distilled and the conclusions drawn, was never published or otherwise released or disseminated, and has remained in the safekeeping of one of the original compilers of the survey report for some sixty years. With the passage of time, therefore, a body of data, originally assembled to provide a contemporary picture of farming conditions in one poor land area of Britain as an aid to the formulation of post-war agricultural policy, has now assumed the form of a valuable archive relating to Devon’s economic and social heritage.

This essay explores the British Government’s keenness on ‘localism’ and the ‘Big Society’, and th... more This essay explores the British Government’s keenness on ‘localism’ and the ‘Big Society’, and the semi-invisibility, in relation to policy and local government terms, of England’s small towns.

NB Please have a read and let us have your comments!

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2018

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2015

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2014

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2022

Town and parish councils are the English government bodies closest to local people. Hierarchicall... more Town and parish councils are the English government bodies closest to local people. Hierarchically, they are subordinate to both national and higher tier local governments (unitary, county and borough/district councils). Town councillors represent approximately 11,000,000 people; one-fifth of the population of England. Their mainly small towns will be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union ('Brexit'). To what extent is not known, but councillors will have roles to play in determining how their towns respond. This paper presents and discusses the views of 156 respondents to an online survey, some of whom were also interviewed. Councillors, town clerks, academics, and interested individuals with policy and practical experience of the sector contributed. Although respondents' views differ (eg, as to whether town councils should have more powers), most believe they will have to do more. Indeed, they want to do more, especially in relation to planning, housing and transport. They are, however, uncertain about how to achieve their aims, given the constraints of time and resources on a mainly volunteer body, their partial dependence on higher-tier authorities, and the need for, as some strongly believe, effective monitoring of standards, performance, transparency, and accountability.

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2017

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2012

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2017

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, Jun 14, 2015

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance (http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/cjlg), Jun 30, 2014

The research discussed in this paper was prompted by the writer’s interest in the roles of Englan... more The research discussed in this paper was prompted by the writer’s interest in the roles of England’s small country (“market”) towns. It has two aims: first, to discover the extent to which the work programmes announced in the British government’s Rural White Paper of 2000 are recognised by town clerks, and second, to find out what town councils are doing, either on their own, or with others, and then to gauge the potential and desire they have for a greater degree of autonomy. In both cases the data were gathered from an online questionnaire sent to town clerks.

(The fact that some of the embedded links in the paper no longer work makes the point that some policy-related programme/initiatives have a very short shelf-life.)

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance , Dec 17, 2012

Summary In 1954 and 1955 the then University of Bristol’s Province II of the Provincial Agricu... more Summary

NB Please have a read and let us have your comments!

A talk, supported by slides, summarising my research findings about the Market Towns Initiative (... more A talk, supported by slides, summarising my research findings about the Market Towns Initiative (a community-led development programme announced in the UK Government's Rural White Paper 2000). Broadly, the programme, which ran from approximately 2000 until 2005, worked - and most of the local partnerships surveyed are still working.

2002, A Spatial Odyssey An Investigation Into the Sphere(s) of Influence of Sherborne, Dorset (an English Country Town), 2003

This copy of the dissertation has been supplied on condition that anyone who consults it is under... more This copy of the dissertation has been supplied on condition that anyone who consults it is understood to recognize that its copyright rests with its author and that no quotation from the dissertation and no information

Workshop & Conference Reports, 1996

This document contains reports from two events held at Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, Dor... more This document contains reports from two events held at Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, Dorset, UK, in March and November, 1996, namely:

"Dorset's Country Towns - Looking Forward" workshops;
"Dorset's Country Towns - Moving Forward, Developing Together" conference - report of proceedings.

This short note summarizes the results of a survey designed to find out how many small country to... more This short note summarizes the results of a survey designed to find out how many small country towns in England have food banks. The survey, which was sent to town clerks, is essentially a repeat of a similar survey conducted in 2013, the results of which were reported in the Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance (Morris 2014). The data gathered suggest that the number of food banks in small towns is growing. The implications of this for rural areas are not clear, but it is safe to infer that the long standing problems associated with rural disadvantage will be exacerbated by this trend.

http://dx.doi.org/10.5130/cjlg.v0i0.4063