Funding boost for Wirral and Sefton

Dec 5 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

WIRRAL and Sefton have been given extra cash by the Government to create their own “community kitty”.

The money is to be used to allow people to tackle the issues they think are most important in their own neighbourhood.

The two areas are among 12 councils across the country being added to the pilot project.

The Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said this “radical new way of working” would revive local democracy and participation by giving people a say in local decisions.

First pioneered in Brazil, ‘participatory budgeting’ gives communities the ability to take control of budgets through community-led debates, neighbourhood votes and public meetings.

Ms Blears said: “Local people know their area better than anyone and want a direct say over how to tackle the issues that matter most to them, from improving playgrounds, to dealing with litter, better standards of housing or taking action against anti-social behaviour.

“Too few people feel able to make a difference in their local area. Giving them more power over decisions on issues that affect them directly is a practical and modern way to get people involved.

“There are some in local government who believe giving local people a say is a threat to their legitimacy.

“Listening to the concerns and priorities of the people can only strengthen our local democracy.”