29 October 2004
Ministers have called for better co-operation between Local Strategic Partnerships and community groups after government auditors identified tensions that were impeding progress.
The National Audit Office examined the effectiveness of Community Empowerment Networks, which were set up to help community and voluntary groups influence LSP decisions.
The October 25 report found the networks to be working well but highlighted tensions in some areas between community members and public sector members of LSPs.
Commenting on the report, regeneration minister Jeff Rooker said: 'Community participation is vital to ensure that public services are delivered where they are needed. As the NAO encourages, we must all work closely together to ensure we reach all sectors and groups within local communities.'
Auditors said tensions arose because many Community Empowerment Networks were not established in time to help shape local strategies or the allocation of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.
The NAO was also concerned that the grants available under the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's five-year, £182m Community Programme, had been poorly publicised. Most groups heard about the grants through word of mouth, a system favouring those already well connected.
More needed to be done to draw groups into the Community Empowerment Networks: more than half of the groups that receive funds do not join.
But there was praise for the 'simple and straightforward' grant application procedure, which has resulted in some 25,000 self-help and community projects receiving funding.
PFoct2004
