News story

Community budget pilots move one step closer as shortlisted areas named

In October 2011 the Communities Secretary announced details of how areas can bid to trial 2 new localist approaches to integrated services.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Money

He described this dramatic new shift as; “an opportunity to change the future of the way public services are funded and be the thumping heart of your community”.

Whole-Place

The bids showed real ambition and radical thinking, setting out plans for more responsive local services, which are better designed and delivered. 6 areas have been short-listed out of a list of 15 areas that put their names forward to be one of 2 pilot areas for Whole-Place Community Budgets.

Neighbourhood-level

24 areas have been shortlisted out of 45 areas that put their names forward to work with Whitehall to develop Neighbourhood-Level Community Budgets. The applications demonstrated the drive across communities and public services to explore new ways to give local people more control over their services.

The Community Budgets prospectus was issued on 17 October 2011 inviting councils to submit expressions of interest to pilot Community Budgets across the whole of a local authority area and also at a neighbourhood level. Successful areas will be announced before the end of the year.

A list of the areas that submitted expressions of interest and those short listed is available here:

Published 2 December 2011