Last week, the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was debated in the House of Commons. This bill marks a pivotal moment, providing a chance to reflect on the lived realities of those left behind by the current system. By proposing reforms to local governance, including phasing out committee systems, introducing neighbourhood arrangements, and expanding community rights, this bill could significantly improve how communities access and influence local decision-making.

The Museum of Broken Dreams, a powerful exhibition designed by the We’re Right Here campaign and supported by The Young Foundation, brings to light the consequences of disempowerment. Displayed from 1^st September to 4^th September to coincide with the bill’s second reading, the exhibit drew on lived experience and community-led projects to capture the frustration, hope, and strength of people who’ve been excluded from the decisions that shape their lives. According to research by We’re Right Here, 84% of UK adults feel they have little or no control over decisions that affect their neighbourhood. That’s not just a statistic – it’s a reflection of a system that too often sidelines the very people it’s meant to serve. The Museum of Broken Dreams gives voice to those frustrations, showing how communities have been denied the opportunity to determine their own futures.

At Meeting Place, we regularly witness the disconnect between the frameworks that guide development and the lived experiences of the communities they impact. The Museum of Broken Dreams is a reminder that planning isn’t just about buildings, it’s about belonging. For those of us working in planning and engagement, this bill could reshape how we collaborate with communities, and importantly, it offers a renewed opportunity to centre marginalised voices in the planning process.

As the bill progresses through Parliament, we have a chance to rethink how power is distributed. If we want to build places that work for people, we must start by listening, and by giving communities the tools and trust to shape their own futures.

Visit the virtual Museum of Broken Dreams to explore these stories firsthand.