Front‐line Workers and ‘Local Knowledge’: Neighbourhood Stories in Contemporary Uk Local Governance

Abstract

One of the aims of this special issue is to ‘decentre’ a key facet of governance, namely networks. This article considers in particular the concept ‘networked community governance’, a key part of New Labour‘s reforms in local governance and, in particular, around neighbourhood‐based working. This article draws on interpretive methods and analysis to explore the everyday work of front‐line workers in contemporary local governance through their own stories. The article is based on empirical work in the neighbourhood management system developed in Salford, a local authority in the North West of England. Key to facilitating ‘networked community governance’, is front‐line workers’ own ‘local knowledge’, understood as the mundane, yet expert, understanding front‐line workers develop from their own contextual experiences. The article explores the difficulties that front‐line workers perceive themselves to face in their everyday work and how they use their ‘local knowledge’ to develop responsive, entrepreneurial strategies.

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