A revitalized national body to replace the Civic Trust, which collapsed earlier this year, should be a campaigning body which reflects the separate voices of the civic society movement and is responsive to their individual needs, says a new report.
The recommendations come in Own the Future which followed a survey by the Civic Societies Initiative, the body set up to plot a future for civic involvement.
It revealed a desire for a new national body but one which connects local societies into a national movement rather than a "top down" organisation.
The report says the new body should provide individual societies with support and advice, help them work together and be a national voice for the movement.
It would lobby, fund raise, lead and advise.
"Local communities are fed up with the damage being caused to their streets, buildings and open spaces, and by the lack of respect from too many politicians and policy makers," said CSI director Tony Burton.
"People are taking more control of their own lives and the power of local communities working together is immense."
But the report admits that funding is the "elephant in the room" and that civic societies have limited means at their disposal.
