Using ‘informal governance’ as a city leadership asset: a case study of the Bristol Pound

This report presents the findings of a one-year study that has explored how Bristol Pound (Bristol£) has used informal governance as a leadership asset to effect progressive social change at city level. Informal governance is the undocumented interaction that actors often use behind the scenes in pursuit of objectives. Informal working can shape policy-making and city leadership in both positive and negative ways. On the one hand, it can assist in addressing political and policy problems which cannot be solved by traditional government institutions, leading to more effective, inclusive and innovative decision-making. On the other, it can weaken transparency, accountability and legitimacy by undermining traditional (more formal) administrative structures.