By Lucy Phillips
5 January 2010
Councils should sign contracts with local residents to boost the standard of public services, according to Communities Secretary John Denham.
Denham called on councils to draw up voluntary written agreements with taxpayers to set out standards of service. The ‘neighbourhood charters’ should also include methods of redress for when standards are not met, including financial compensation.
Denham said: ‘Community contracts are an important way for local people to tell councils and agencies about what matters to them and to get action taken on the issues that matter most to them.’
The government has developed new guidance for councils on how to develop and maintain the contracts and additional support is available to local authorities that are part of the Connecting Communities initiative, a £12m drive to help traditional working class communities during the recession.
Community contracts have been piloted in 11 areas over the last year. Residents in Barnsley reported a reduction in vandalism and litter problems after drawing up a charter with the council that supported ‘community champions’ to provide regular feedback to service providers.
5 January 2010
Councils should sign contracts with local residents to boost the standard of public services, according to Communities Secretary John Denham.
Denham called on councils to draw up voluntary written agreements with taxpayers to set out standards of service. The ‘neighbourhood charters’ should also include methods of redress for when standards are not met, including financial compensation.
Denham said: ‘Community contracts are an important way for local people to tell councils and agencies about what matters to them and to get action taken on the issues that matter most to them.’
The government has developed new guidance for councils on how to develop and maintain the contracts and additional support is available to local authorities that are part of the Connecting Communities initiative, a £12m drive to help traditional working class communities during the recession.
Community contracts have been piloted in 11 areas over the last year. Residents in Barnsley reported a reduction in vandalism and litter problems after drawing up a charter with the council that supported ‘community champions’ to provide regular feedback to service providers.
