Keeping in touch with Streatham’s community and voluntary organisations
The Cabinet minister responsible for the Third Sector, Ed Miliband MP, and Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Streatham, Chuka Umunna, today met with local community groups in Streatham as part of the government’s drive to consult with and support the Third Sector.
The government’s £30m Community Assets programme, launched in September 2007, aims to empower communities by encouraging the transfer of underused local authority assets to local organisations. In April 2008, the Streatham Darby and Joan Club (the “Club”) celebrated the news that its bid for a grant of £1m from the programme was successful.
The £1m grant will enable the Club’s existing premises on Leigham Court Road, Streatham, which are currently owned by Lambeth Council, to be refurbished to a high standard. These changes will form the heart of new and improved community spaces and services that will be known as the “Streatham Communities Hub” and will involve the Council devolving ownership of the building to the local community to manage.
The bid for the grant was the result of partnership work between the Club, those who use its premises – Age Concern Lambeth, the Make A Difference Club, the Lambeth Asian Centre – and the Council.
Further to the award of the grant, Ed Miliband MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office (pictured above), and Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Streatham, visited the building and met with the community and voluntary groups who use the Club premises to find out what further support can be given to Third sector ogranisations locally.
Commenting on the visit Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Streatham, said:
“Funding has always been an issue for the community and voluntary sector which is why I am delighted that the central government is injecting this large slice of funding into the area – it will make a real difference to the lives of people here.”
Ed Miliband MP the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, said:
“From speaking to people active in their communities like Chuka, it is clear to me that we, as a government, must listen to and ensure that community and voluntary organisations, such as the users of this building, are given the conditions and support to make a difference in their local areas.”
Glyn Kyle, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Streatham Darby and Joan Club, said:
“The Community Assets programme is very important in helping local third sector organisations to work effectively in partnership with local councils to deliver very important outcomes for local people”.
