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"Council pledge to help poor". Don't laugh!

Ad Nauseum | 17.09.2003 18:32 | Liverpool

The Liverpool Echo reports that Liverpool Council has been given £20 million by the government to provide "a better deal for some of the city's poorest communities". Will this money go the same way as the rest? It seems so. Article focuses on improvements to "security" - rather than treating the underlying problem of poverty.

COUNCIL bosses today (Wednesday, September 17) promised a better deal for some of the city's poorest communities following a £20m windfall.

The government's Neighbourhood Renewal Funding, totalling £20.03m for Liverpool, will be used to regenerate crumbling communities.

The money, from a surplus in the national grant allocation, will spent over a two year period starting in April.

A total of £31m will be spent across Merseyside. Knowsley will get £7.35m and Halton receives £3.9m.

They are among 26 areas throughout the country receiving a share of the £175m cash hand-out.

In Liverpool, Abercromby, Everton, Anfield, Breckfield and Speke are among the areas which will benefit and local people will have a say on how the money is spent.

Liverpool council's executive member for community safety, Cllr Flo Clucas, said: "People across Liverpool are already seeing the differences which NRF can make and they will continue to see positive changes.

"Local communities will be consulted about where they want the money to be invested."

The funding has already been used to fit alleygates, pay for wardens to patrol troubled estates, for security cameras in Lark Hill Park and new entrances to enhance safety at Walton Hall Park.

But Liverpool's Labour leader, Cllr Joe Anderson, said today it is important the money is closely monitored to ensure it is spent in the right way.

He added: "This is fantastic news but we must ensure this money is used for what it is intended - for renewing neighbourhoods - not to subsidise front line services."

Ad Nauseum
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