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in control over Government Cash New steps were announced this week as part of a nationwide drive to put more power into the hands of local people. This comes ahead of legislation later this year to "put communities in control" The £15,000 project "Everyone Counts" from Walsall's New Deal for Communities was announced by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears as part of a package set to give communities more control over council cash and assets. She announced:
Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears said: "I want to see a new relationship between government and the people it serves - more doors open to active citizens, more opportunities for people to have a say in the issues they care about, and power increasingly exercised not by a well-meaning executive on the community's behalf, but with and by and through people themselves. Not just because this is the right thing to do, but because it's the smart thing to do. "Residents are happier with their local area when they are given more say and more control over local decisions. Getting involved in the public spending process will give people a better understanding of, and more confidence in the choices their local authorities make. "Our ambition is for "community kitties" to be a reality in every area by 2012 - These pilots and the new asset transfer unit will put more local people in the driving seat, giving them the knowledge and the experience to get involved, and will help bring devolution to the doorstep.'' The project 'Everyone Counts' involves 6 - 11 year olds in eight local primary schools who collectively to decide how to spend £15,000. Tom Perrett MBE, Chair of Walsall's New Deal, said: "The Everyone Counts project has taken a creative approach in engaging children to understand how to collectively make decisions, encourage citizenship and to participate in democratic activities within their community. The project has encouraged children to get involved in their communities, to have a voice and prepare them for active citizenship as adults." Children have held a series of workshops, and are now planning and organising an event to decide the spending. The children are involved throughout the project which has seen them grow in confidence and ability. The process helps the children to learn about taking collective decisions, and build confidence and awareness of their community. The new Participatory Budgeting pilots are delivering real benefits in engaging with the local community: Haringey allocates funding of £50k under the Making the Difference" scheme through each of its seven area assemblies on environmental and community priorities. The Walsall New Deal for Communities participatory budgeting process, involves eight local primary schools to help 6 - 11 year olds collectively to decide how to spend £15,000. They learn about taking collective decisions, and build confidence and awareness of their community. And Norfolk County Council has agreed to allocate £200,000 via participatory budgeting throughout the council area in support of its local area agreement targets. Steve Wyler, Director of the Development Trusts Association said: "We are delighted that government is moving fast on its promise to set up the asset transfer unit. The Development Trusts Association together with partners such as the Local Government Association and Community Matters expects to have the unit up and running from January 2009. It will provide practical advice and raise awareness across the whole of England, helping local communities take over underused or derelict land and buildings and achieve lasting public benefit." Notes to editors:
Staffordshire County Council Seven local council members have agreed to use their Councillors' Local Member Initiative money (a total of £70,000) to pilot participatory budgeting. Media Enquiries: 020 7944 3042 Out of hours: 020 7944 5945 Email: press.office@communities.gsi.gov.uk News Releases: www.communities.gov.uk/newsroom ISSUED BY COI NEWS & PR WEST MIDLANDS |
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