Can local communities design and run local services ?

With the growing interest in the topics of poverty and the lack of affordable housing I spotted this timely article challenging the way we work. 

We are having a number of discussions with individual organisations and local authorities exploring how greater collaboration (with the benefit of funding from social investors) can bring a greater, more efficient benefit to local communities. Just need to get everyone round the table at the same time... 

"The only option for keeping vital services open will be for communities to work closely with their local authorities to take them over and run them as community businesses – businesses run by and for the benefit of local people..." Read more.