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• New £5 million programme to boost cleaner, safer, greener ‘know-how’

• Date:

  13th March 2005

• Contact:

  Sarah Egerton

• Organisation:

  The Civic Trust

A new £5 million programme to support the drive by councils and local agencies to create cleaner, safer and greener communities was today launched by Liveability Minister Phil Hope.

The How to programme will help practitioners – from local councils and the police to neighbourhood wardens and street cleaners - take more effective and innovative action to improve the quality of town centres, neighbourhoods and parks.

Trouble shooting guides, workshops and a special help line will offer clear advice on issues such as neighbourhood safety and tackling environmental crime. The programme will include trailblazing work in twenty towns and cities showing new and better ways of doing things.

Launching the How to programme, Phil Hope said:

“£8 billion a year is invested in improving our streets and public spaces. This is making a real difference to people’s quality of life. The challenge now is to build on this momentum by helping decision makers and front line workers take more effective action to improve the places where people live and work.

“Through the How to programme, we want to spell out exactly what action can be taken, what powers can be used and what can be expected from others. It is vital that people know what works best on the ground and how it can work for them.

“I want practitioners to get fully involved in the How to programme. It is crucial that it helps those who need it most and the learning process must be a two way street – central government, local authorities and other agencies working hand in hand. It is only through working together to unlock these complex problems that we will make sure all of our communities are better places to live, now and in the future.”

The launch of the How to programme also marked the publication of the first guide, How to Manage Town Centres.

The handbook explores key challenges associated with town centres and the night time economy, highlighting what powers and tools can be used.

The guide hones in on ten hot topics, ranging from reducing noise, litter and street fouling to getting home safely and drinking sensibly.

Further guides on How to Improve Residential Areas and How to create quality parks and open spaces will be launched in the summer.

Welcoming the launch of the How to programme, Alan Woods, Chief Executive of ENCAMS, said:

“All those involved in caring for our neighbourhoods, town centres and parks and open spaces can benefit from the How to programme.

“It’s great strength is that it offers the very best information, case histories and support all the attributes we need to help us inspire people to join with us in our quest to create cleaner, greener, safer communities.

In fact, I would say the How to programme is a fantastic opportunity. After all, if someone is going to help you achieve your goal it would seem sensible to take them up on their offer.”