Communities First
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What is Communities First?
Communities First is a long-term Welsh Assembly Government
programme which aims to improve opportunities and quality of
life in the most disadvantaged communities in Wales.
How does it work?
A Communities First partnership is formed for each local area.
Partnership members include local councillors and staff from
statutory agencies such as the local authority, Fire Service
or Police; local businesses, groups and
voluntary organisations such as the County Voluntary
Council; and most importantly, local residents.
The partnership directs the work of a staff team who
consult with the community to find out the local issues and
priorities. These are written into a local action plan which sets
out the main aims of the partnership and the work needed to improve
the community.
What does it do?
The Communities First programme works to address the
issues needed to improve the quality of life in the local
area, as identified by the local community. Although each
community is different, these issues are broadly grouped into six
common themes:
- Child Poverty
- Community Safety
- Education, Training & Skills
- Environment
- Health & Well Being
- Jobs, Business & Income Generation
The partnership and local team then work with partners to bring
about changes in the local area, involving community members as
much as possible in the process.
Which areas does Communities First work in?
Communities First has local teams working in twelve different
areas of Neath Port Talbot. Please click here to find out which areas these are. An
organisational chart showing the staff structure of Communities
First in Neath Port Talbot can be downloaded at the bottom of the
page.
How were these areas chosen?
A statistical measure called the Welsh Index of Multiple
Deprivation (WIMD) is used to compare all areas across Wales.
When the programme began in 2002 most of the areas chosen to
be part of Communities First were ranked in the top
100 wards of the 2000 WIMD, although other smaller areas were also
identified. After the WIMD was updated in 2005 several new areas
were invited to apply for Communities First status. Please click
here for more details.
Communities First
Trust Fund
The Communities First Trust Fund provides funding for voluntary
and community groups in Communities First areas for a variety of
projects and needs. Many people Communities First areas in Neath
Port Talbot have benefited from projects funded by trust fund
money. Further information about the Trust Fund is available
here.
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Last Updated: 05.06.2009