Civic Societies exist to enrich the quality of life of local communities by championing high standards and excellence in the built environment. This area has expanded over the years to include the promotion of excellence and renewal within the historic and natural environment. The key objectives of Civic Societies have not changed much since the first Civic Society, was created in Devon in 1846. Civic Societies exist to:
• promote high standards of planning, architecture, conservation and regeneration
• educate the public in the evolution of the historic, geographic and architectural environment within a particular place.
• secure the preservation, protection, improvement and sustainability of features of historic or public interest in the environment.
Civic Societies are managed by a core group of volunteers who mainly serve as members of executive committees. Other active volunteers contribute their time to coordinating community events, responding to planning applications, attending strategic local government meetings and fundraising. The 2006 survey of 186 Civic Societies estimated that their volunteers collectively donated over 2,938 hours per week to projects that impact the public good. However more and more Civic Societies are increasingly recognising the importance of raising funds to recruit paid staff to help run their Societies more effectively and to ensure their credibility and sustainability for the future.
Over 210,000 people are already receiving news and sharing views electronically about issues that affect us all.
We believe that if the Civic Trust is to remain a distinctive and powerful national voice, we must increasingly use quick and efficient means of communication. We represent over a quarter of a million people and it is important that all your views are represented in Government consultations.
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