Local governance

Local Governance Work

Publication of the Local Government White Paper and Bill in 2006 outlines a radical change in the way that local communities will be governed in future years. Foremost among the proposed changes that will impact on smaller community groups is the devolution of local governance, decision making and possibly budgets to neighbourhood or parish level. The vast majority of community groups operate at this very local level.

There is much evidence in the evaluation of recent neighbourhood and parish initiatives that small community groups do not play their full part in such initiatives unless they are given suitable support over a sustained period. The devolution of local governance from city or district level to neighbourhoods will therefore require a coherent and properly resourced community capacity building strategy in order to harness the skills, knowledge and experience of residents and community groups at neighbourhood level.

The Coalition is working with CDF and other partners involved in the National Empowerment Partnership to develop this area of work.