More than 20 third sector organisations are to share millions of pounds of funding for projects to help give people a bigger say in the running of their communities. The Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, said the 9.25 million pound Empowerment Fund would help the successful charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises to deliver on the key themes of the Communities in Control White Paper.

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Councils are being urged to create ‘naked streets’ with fewer signs, traffic lights and what campaigners call clutter. The call has come from the charity Living Streets, a national organisation representing pedestrians with the aim of having safe, attractive and enjoyable streets where people will want to walk.

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By Marcus Buckingham and Donald O Clifton.

Most people have little sense of their talents and strengths, much less the ability to build their lives around them. But people become experts in their weaknesses and spend their lives trying to repair these flaws.

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