LARCI funders welcome report on maintaining vital relationships

The funders of the Local Authorities Research Council Initiative (LARCI) welcome the report by Dr Clive Grace, Partners in Impact? The national and local imperative to join up research and local government post-LARCI. The report confirms that maintaining the relationship between the research community and local government is of real importance, and that there is appetite for this on both sides.

LARCI ended in March 2011 and the funders are carefully considering the recommendations outlined in the report. They will also be working together to take forward a new approach for continuing and broadening engagement between local government and academic researchers.

In addition, Research Councils UK (RCUK) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) have signed a Concordat, which brings together researchers and experts with government officials to share knowledge and stimulate further research. This makes the best use of combined resources to enhance the economic and societal impact of research.

A copy of the report is available here.

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Notes to editors

1. LARCI was funded by Research Councils UK (RCUK), the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), the Local Government Association (LGA), the Audit Commission and Scottish Government. It was established in 1997 to develop links between local government and academic research. By bringing local authorities and the Research Councils into closer partnership, LARCI aimed to help local authorities make sense of the complex changes taking place across the social, ecological and economic context, and to develop better informed strategies, services, local governance and local democracy. For academic researchers, LARCI offered access to local government and opportunities to work with policy makers and practitioners at the cutting edge of complex and often long-term social, environmental and economic challenges.

2. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils who annually invest around £3 billion in research. We support excellent research, as judged by peer review, that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. To maintain the UK’s global research position we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. We also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. To maximise the impact of research on economic growth and societal wellbeing we work in partnership with other research funders including the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Higher Education funding bodies, business, government, and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.

   The seven UK Research Councils are:

   • Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
   • Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
   • Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
   • Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
   • Medical Research Council (MRC);
   • Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
   • Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

3. Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) The Department sets policy on supporting local government; communities and neighbourhoods; regeneration; housing; planning, building and the environment; and fire. The Department is ending the era of top-down government by giving new powers to councils, communities, neighbours and individuals.

4. The Local Government Association (LGA) supports, promotes and improves local government.

   The LGA stands up for local government and supports councils through challenging times by making the case for greater devolution, helping councils tackle their challenges and assisting them to deliver better value for money services.

   Visit www.local.gov.uk