Welfare Reform on the Web (September 2002): Community Regeneration and Development - UK

BANK TO PROBE FINANCIAL BARS TO SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

A Parker

Financial Times, July 23^rd 2002, p.2

The Bank of England is to investigate the difficulties that charities have in accessing financial services when they reinvest their profits in local communities. The move is the centrepiece of the government's strategy to encourage social enterprises, which the government believes can become important providers of public services, but it admits they often struggle because of lack of external finance.

BENDING MAINSTREAM RESOURCES

S Keeble

Axis, May/June 2002, p.12-13

The government's approach to community regeneration involves directing the main programmes of public services such as education to meet the needs of deprived areas. Community involvement through Local Strategic Partnerships is envisaged as key to proper targeting of resources at the local level.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH WALES

S Clarke (ed) et al

Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 2002

This book provides a comprehensive overview of community development work in South Wales by setting it in its historical context, defining community development, discussing the role of the practitioner and examining the values of the local community. It illustrates the Welsh model of community development with detailed case studies.

DRUG TRAFFICKING POSES BIGGEST CRIMINAL THREAT TO COMMUNITIES

J Burns

Financial Times, July 23^rd 2002, p.4

Drug trafficking poses the biggest serious criminal threat to the UK, with the potential to damage communities across the country, according to the latest risk assessment by the National Criminal Intelligence Service. The NCIS report suggests that the government's anti-drug strategy has had little impact in reducing either the supply or the demand for illegal drugs.

INVESTORS IN COMMUNITIES: A PROMPTING PILOT

A Williamson

Axis, May/June 2002, p.23

Describes the pilot Investors in Communities scheme which provides support and funding for residents' groups and housing associations implementing initiatives designed to end social exclusion.

RENEWAL FOR ALL REGIONS

M Smulian

Public Finance, June 28^th-July 4^th 2002, p.28-29

Reports on a new government initiative to invest simultaneously in housing and economic development in blighted areas. Previous economic regeneration initiatives had compounded problems of low demand for housing as people left these areas as soon as they had a little money. The aim of the present initiatives for housing market renewal is to change the image of these areas so that people want to live there.

SHOULD WE REVIVE ECONOMIES BEFORE WE REVIVE COMMUNITIES?

N Perry

Axis May/June 2002, p.20-21

Argues that economic growth without appropriate housing investment is unsustainable. On the other hand, housing investment in areas in terminal economic decline is pointless.