here and here
What do people think?
My major concern is that this policy is being developed only to absolve the government of its responsibility to those who are most in need.
There are many for whom the barriers preventing them from accessing their communities such as disability/mental health/language/old age etc are great and this requires major long term investment. There are communities people don't want to access because of (sometimes percieved) problems with drugs, violence, gangs etc. There are communities where people have no idea who their neighbour is, would like to be involved, but don't know where to begin.
I welcome any innovative thought in how to build community and deal with the issue of the 'ghettoisation' of some communities and the fragmentation of others. If people feel pride and ownership in their local community, then they might be more inclined to care more about the wee old lady down the road or the local primary school needing a new dinner hall.
I work in communities and in the last few years the council I work for has made massive inroads in integrating people more into their communities and trying to develop the existing resources. This has largely been successful, but there is much, much more work to be done (always will be!). We all know that local authorities will not have responsibility for delivering services in the future, but who will? Who will monitor it? And what will happen to the people who require support to remain in their communities?
I expect a lot of hyperbole from Cameron later and, as I live in Scotland, this won't affect us much as most elements of Cameron's plans are devolved!