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The Outcomes Fund, which will be in place from 1st April 2009, is being structured to support activities which deliver real improvements at local level in terms of tackling key priorities for Communities First such as child poverty, economic inactivity and job creation.
Proposals from partnerships must demonstrate the positive change and improvement for the community concerned as well as demonstrate community involvement.
As well as formally opening the Outcomes Fund to new bids from Communities First partnerships, the Deputy Minister also announced the proposals that have been successful in the first stage assessment of their applications to deliver Demonstration Projects under the Communities First Outcomes Fund.
The proposals were submitted under the revised Communities First Vision Framework which is based on six themes – Child Poverty; Community Safety; Health and Well Being; Education, Skills and Training, Environment; Jobs, Business and Income Generation. As there were no specific proposals submitted under Health and Wellbeing or Community Safety the six proposals that have been selected to proceed to final assessment stage are in line with the other four themes.
These are:
- Carmarthenshire - Glanymor & Tyisha Communities First Partnership – Jobs, Business and Income Generation
- Neath Port Talbot – All 16 Communities First Partnerships - Child Poverty
- Anglesey – all three Communities First Partnerships in Holyhead - Community Environmental Project – Environment
- Newport - All 11 Communities First Partnerships – Education Skills and Training
- Rhondda Cynon Taf - All 21 Communities First Partnerships in RCT – Education Skills and Training
- Bridgend - Cornelly and Wildmill – Jobs, Business and Income Generation
A seventh project will also progress to final assessment stage under the general heading of Culture. This proposal, called Creative Communities, is led by Rhondda Taf County Borough Council and has been submitted on behalf of 40 Communities First Partnerships across six Local Authority areas in South East Wales.
The Demonstration Projects have applied for up to £250,000 for a maximum of three years and will have to show that the project fits in with local strategic priorities and plans as well as being able to demonstrate real community involvement and benefits.
Following the final Communities First Task and Finish Group meeting Deputy Minister Leighton Andrews said:
I have made it clear that Communities First funding needs to refocus on front-line delivery. The Outcomes Fund will support work across the Communities First programme and must be linked to the Work programmes and Action Plans of one or more Communities First Partnerships.
We will be making available an amount of not less than £25 million for the Outcomes Fund over the next three years from the Communities First budget.
The Demonstration Projects highlight the key priorities and principles of the Outcomes Fund and will inform the final development of the fund.
The Outcomes Fund will play a key part in our plans for Communities First. I want Communities First areas to build on their success to date and focus on practical solutions to tackling poverty and supporting regeneration initiatives.
12 December 2008
