Blair pledges 'people power' for communities
Peter Hetherington, regional affairs editor
Tuesday February 01 2005
The Guardian

Tony Blair promised yesterday to unleash "people power" by giving communities responsibility for services such as leisure centres and housing estates under a new form of local control below the town hall.
The prime minister used Wythenshawe in Manchester, where a local trust runs a swimming pool, sports arena, library and adult learning centre, as an example of the grass-roots devolution the government wants under a "neighbourhoods charter".
After touring the area and meeting a member of the trust's board, Mr Blair said he wanted more communities to become engaged.
"We've seen the success of a quiet revolution in places like Manchester which shows the success of transferring power to the people," he said.
Hours earlier, John Prescott announced a five-year strategy aimed at empowering local communities by devolving power for a range of services in collaboration with local councils.

The plan, called People, Places and Prosperity, raised the prospect of neighbourhoods "owning assets", such as playgrounds, parks and community centres, and even raising local taxes.
Although local government ministers said councils would not be sidelined, the strategy spoke of communities "triggering action" to take over town hall functions "when service standards fall below a minimum".
The government has decided to place greater emphasis on community concerns with opinion polls showing that voters often place the local environment - from street cleaning to park maintenance and pavement repairs - ahead of education and health.
Although some ministers and Downing Street advisers want to sideline local government, Mr Prescott's department is determined to work in cooperation with town halls and local councillors.
Legislation will be needed to drive forward parts of the new agenda.
Although elected parish or community councils can be set up in urban as well as rural areas outside of London, fresh powers will be needed to extend neighbourhood government to the capital. At present it has no powers for parish councils.
Speaking in Manchester, Mr Prescott said the government wanted to offer new opportunities for neighbourhoods everywhere.

"We want people to help shape the local public services they receive and we want them to become more involved in the democratic life of their community. Through action at the neighbourhood level, people everywhere can make a significant difference to the quality of our country's public services."

The community trust in Wythenshawe, a south Manchester estate with a population of 70,000, was established under a 10-member board to regenerate the area. It raised £10m from the EU and other sources and borrowed £10m more to rebuild the complex known as the Forum.

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