Councils win £220k Pathfinder cash

An area of Borehamwood is set to benefit from a cash grant.

Hertsmere and Stevenage Borough Councils, together with Hertfordshire County Council, are to receive financial support from the Government for projects aimed at getting local people more involved with leadership and decision making in their own communities.

The three Councils put together the successful bid for money from the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Take Part Pathfinder programme.  Between them will get £100,000 in 2009/10 and a further £120,000 in 2010/11.

In Hertsmere the programme will focus on the Cowley Hill ward and will set up ways to help local residents to participate more fully in decision making.

In Stevenage, the SoStevenage partnership will aim to build skills and confidence among local communities - particularly minority groups - and highlight ways in which they can get their voices heard.

Hertfordshire County Council will work with both Stevenage and Hertsmere to identify opportunities for local people to get involved in decisions which affect their community.

Cllr Morris Bright, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, said: "Pathfinder should do what it says on the tin - that is find a path through some of the issues that matter to residents to ensure that we provide better services by listening and working together. This award is a huge vote of confidence in the way that we are doing things locally. We must work closely with residents of Cowley Hill to make sure that they feel involved at all levels of our decision making at the Council."