New measures to strengthen community and voluntary sectors

Communities Secretary John Denham has announced four new steps to strengthen voluntary, charity and community groups.

They are:
•New support to transfer publicly owned buildings to the ownership or control of local voluntary groups;
•A series of new grants which will let local organisations become self-sufficient;
•New guidance to local councils, telling them to make sure that third sector organisations must be given a fair chance to bid for local council contracts; and
•New measures outlined in the Budget, to enable community groups to raise new finance and to play a bigger role in delivering cost-effective services which prevent, rather than treat, social problems.

Communities Secretary John Denham said:
"Local people often have the best ideas and solutions for their local communities. We want to help community groups access the resources they need to put their ideas into practice.

"We know that services are best when delivered locally so they meet the needs and aspirations of the community - and it is often the voluntary or not-for-profit groups that are closest to that community. They have greater trust invested in them, and they can represent individuals and communities whose voices may not always be heard. They can also often take a more cross-cutting approach to delivering local services - and should be used to their full potential."