More money for residents to help improve safety and security on their estates
Published 21 January 2010
Southwark Council today launched its annual funding programme, which aims to improve community safety on housing estates.
Individuals, tenant associations, tenant management organisations and area housing forums can bid for money to fund projects to address issues such as burglary, anti social behaviour involving young people, drug misuse and community cohesion.
Known as the Joint Security Initiative (JSI), the fund will help local residents' groups to form partnerships with voluntary organisations or service providers to conceive and deliver projects which are then funded by the council. They will develop activities including homework clubs, "get to know neighbours" events, sports activities, film or drama. These activities will involve communities, the police and service providers in tackling local problems.
For example a problem with burglary and drugs on an estate, may be the result of people financing a drug habit. So a useful bid might be a drug awareness and referral scheme. If there is a problem with burglary, harassment and homophobia involving young people, the most appropriate scheme may be a youth intervention and diversion scheme.
There is also start-up funding available to residents' groups which need additional time to establish partnerships and consult with the wider community to prepare for a full JSI funding application for the following year.
Cllr Linda Manchester, executive member for community safety at Southwark Council, said: "This demonstrates our commitment to tackling crime and anti social behaviour in the borough. The JSI funding programme is a fantastic tool to involve residents in finding solutions to safety problems they have identified in their estate and how best to tackle them."
Jackie Scorer, chair of Kipling Tenant Association which received £22,000 of the funding last year, said:"The JSI we received from Southwark Council has helped our residents to come together and re-design an area on our estate, which previously attracted undesirables, into a community garden.
"It was a good opportunity for young residents to get involved in projects which saw them tackle issues and concerns in their community."
To apply for the funding, call 0207 525 1215 or email housingstrategy2@southwark.gov.uk
The deadline for applications is March 22 2010.
