Twelve local authorities have been chosen as trailblazers for a scheme under which they will offer advice on training, employment, childcare and other topics to people wishing to talk about their housing options. The councils have been chosen as winners of the first of two programmes under which some of them will move towards a ‘one stop shop’ approach of advice and links to job and training opportunities.

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Councils need to arrive at their own strategies for the economic development of their areas, according to a new report from the New Local Government Network. “Trading Places” looks afresh at the influence authorities have on business and enterprise, and the link between policy and prosperity at a time when they are facing new responsibilities for economic development.

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Deprived neighbourhoods in the UK suffer disproportionately from the effects of criminality and anti-social behaviour. The common problems include out of control young people, drug dealing, gang culture, intimidation, weapons and violent crime. A long series of government programmes and the best efforts of regeneration professionals and the criminal justice system are producing limited results. The author describes how community leaders adopted a social enterprise approach with home-grown solutions building on the experience, understanding and skills of residents to successfully tackle anti-social behaviour and street crime.

Read more on TACKLING STREET CRIME WITH A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE APPROACH…