NAVCA influences Select Committee Regeneration Inquiry
NAVCA evidence to the Communities and Local Government Select Committee’s Regeneration Inquiry has been reflected in the committee’s published findings. The report was published last week and points raised in NAVCA’s written and oral evidence were picked up and endorsed by the committee. In some cases, NAVCA received direct credit for its views and in others similar points have been made by the committee or other witnesses.
The report is highly critical of government policy. It says that Ministers have no adequate strategy to address the complex problems faced by England’s most deprived communities and that if further resources for regeneration are not found, there is a risk that major problems will be stored up for the future.
Kevin Curley, Chief Executive of NAVCA said
“Making the case for more investment in our most deprived areas is a top priority for NAVCA and our members. Regeneration is about the support given to the poorest communities. Local voluntary organisations and community groups do invaluable work supporting the most deprived communities. Big Society should mean the state supports this work through regeneration strategies to address the underlying causes of poverty.
“I am proud of the influence NAVCA has had on this report.”
NAVCA’S INFLUENCE ON THE REPORT
- Our view: NAVCA said the government’s consultation paper lacked strategic direction.
- The report’s view: The Report picked this up on p 8/para 8 and is referenced in footnote 15.
- Our view: NAVCA drew attention to the effects on communities of abandoning programmes like the Housing Market Renewal Areas
- The report’s view: The Report picked this up in a section on ‘Stalled Scheme’ from p 24/ para 50 onwards.
- Our view: NAVCA complained about Government figures on regeneration expenditure being artificially inflated in the consultation document.
- The report’s view: The Report is severely critical of this and on p16/ para 31 onwards draws attention to severe and abrupt reductions in expenditure.
- Our view: NAVCA warned against a ‘fire sale’ of RDA assets in advance of enactment of the Localism Bill.
- The report’s view: The Report references NAVCA’s written evidence in p 42/ para 98 and recommends that CLG issues guidance to national public bodies on how public land can be used for regeneration.
- Our view: NAVCA made several points on the importance of voluntary organisations and community groups in community led regeneration in both oral and written evidence.
- The report’s view: The Report references NAVCA’s concern at the neglect of community-led regeneration p 47/ para 115 and the way voluntary organisations and community groups have been side-lined by new initiatives such as the LEPs p 48/para 117.
(Source: navca.org.uk)
