From next April, the Welsh Assembly Government’s Communities First programme will be a community-focused initiative designed to support its reducing poverty agenda from April 2012, following a consultation.
The proposed changes are intended to strike a balance between delivering the priorities of local communities and those at the regional and national level within the following three strategic outcomes:
§ Prosperous communities.
§ Learning communities.
§ Healthier communities.
New structures for the management of the programme both locally, regionally and nationally will provide more consistent governance and financial accountability across the programme, with clear and consistent demarcation of roles and responsibilities.
The document includes proposals on how funding will be allocated for the new programme and details of a new funding scheme to support community organisations in designated Communities First areas.
Carl Sargeant, Minister for Local Government and Communities announced the plans, saying:
"There are currently over 150 Communities First partnerships covering areas of different sizes. In the past it has sometimes proved difficult for key partners such as health providers and local authorities to work together to prioritise their programmes on Communities First areas due to the programme being restricted to fixed geographical boundaries.
“The Welsh Government will be discussing with key partners in each local authority area, including the existing Communities First partnerships how the future of the programme should be targeted in their locality."
The consultation runs until 26 September 2011.
To view the document go to: http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/housingcommunity/futurecommfirst/?lang=en
Source: Welsh Assembly Government
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