Independent citizen-run town councils (flatpack democracy)

Climate change. Local councils are often stuck in party point-scoring and do little on climate. Independent groups that agree values rather than a party line have used their control to declare climate emergencies, set carbon-neutral targets and run local resilience projects.

Has thrived in small English towns and parishes (roughly 2,000 to 30,000 people) where town councils have modest powers and budgets, turnout is low and seats are often uncontested, so a small organised group can win. Needs a core of committed residents, an agreed written set of values and ways of working (no whipping, open meetings, accepting disagreement), and an early campaign that reaches postal voters. Benefits from a culture of active community groups and an experienced clerk.

Removing party loyalty and replacing it with an agreed set of behaviours lets councillors decide each issue on its merits and work with residents directly. Low-turnout, low-profile local elections mean a small, well-organised group of trusted neighbours can win and then show results quickly.

Peter Macfadyen, founder of Independents for Frome and author of 'Flatpack Democracy' (flatpackdemocracy.co.uk). Frome Town Council (frometowncouncil.gov.uk) for its climate and resilience work. Civic Revival (civic-revival.org.uk), which tracks independent groups across England. Minim municipalism (minim-municipalism.org) for wider municipalist networks. Buckfastleigh Town Council, Devon.

Groups split after the founding energy fades, often around five years in. Winning every seat can reduce challenge and make the group look like a new establishment. Raising the council tax precept to fund new services can cause a backlash if not explained. Town councils have limited powers, so climate ambitions depend on partnerships with higher tiers. Late campaigns miss postal voters. The model works less well in larger electorates.

Started in Frome, Somerset, in January 2011, when residents frustrated with party politics formed Independents for Frome; Peter Macfadyen named the approach 'flatpack democracy' and wrote a how-to guide. It was copied by groups in Buckfastleigh, Arlesey, Dartmouth, Queen's Park (London), Alderley Edge, Haswell, Bradford on Avon, Ryde, Bude and others, and has been studied by academics. The method is openly shared and carries no cultural protocols.