Skills and Knowledge
from the Homes and Communities Agency
Skills and Knowledge
from the Homes and Communities Agency
Glossary
The SSCF was implemented in 2005 and comes in two parts. The Neighbourhood Element, worth £160 million, is targeted at the 84 local authorities that contain pockets of deprivation in small neighbourhoods. The Cleaner Safer Greener element, worth £105 million, is targeted at 50 local authorities that need to make a significant improvement in their public spaces.Further informationSalford were one of the authorities eligible for Safer and Stronger Communities Fund. They have developed a useful website detailing projects upon which the funding has been spent and a do's and don't's list for utilising the fund locally. » Neighbourhood Renewal Unit
These are planning agreements between planning authorities and developers to ensure a certain number of social outcomes as part of a development - for example, levels of affordable housing or community facilities.Also known as planning gain.Further informationThe Audit Commission report Securing Community Benefits through the Planning Process summarises the findings from research looking at how effectively councils use planning obligations to deliver sustainable development and how they could improve their performance.» Improvement and Development Agency
A self-sufficient zero carbon development produces all its own operational energy from renewable sources.
Inefficient departments with little or no planning and co-ordination between related programmes.
Series of programmes to enhance the employment prospects, education and skills of local people and to tackle the needs of communities in deprived areas.SRB funding ended in 2007, and was replaced by single pot funding. Further informationUrban Forum research on the end of the SRB and its implications for social regeneration work.» Neighbourhood Renewal Unit
Company employing fewer than 250 employees.
Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that supported and developed business start-ups. It has been replaced by the Enterprise Directorate of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Factors that contribute to social exclusion such as unemployment, low skills, poor quality housing, high crime and ill health.
Provision of services or goods in a commercial manner to meet social objectives such as regeneration, community development or cooperative working.
An initiative or activities that use a commercial approach to fund social or community-based activities. Also known as community enterprise.Further information Social enterprise action plan: Scaling new heights (pdf) was launched in 2006 and set out to open the door for thousands more social enterprises, raise awareness of what they achieve, and encourage more people to get involved in social enterprises, either by involvement or investment. In March 2008, the Office of the Third Sector published a Review of Social Enterprise Networks (pdf) in England.» Social Enterprise Coalition
The Social Exclusion Task Force was set up in June 2006 and succeeded the Social Exclusion Unit. Its mission is to extend the opportunities enjoyed by the vast majority of people in the UK today to those whose lives have been characterised by deprivation and social exclusion. (definition by Social Exclusion Task Force)Further informationPublished in January 2008, Social Exclusion Taskforce: Think family - Improving the life chances of families at risk (pdf) looks at ways for all local authorities, the third sector, and interested professionals to engage and learn from each other. It also outlines policy changes and commitments from nine Government departments. Report on the progress of the Social Exclusion Task Force.» Cabinet Office
Housing developed or administered by social landlords or housing associations to enable low income or deprived groups to access quality housing.
Equal access to the goods, services and opportunities supplied by society.
State efforts to improve the quality of life of vulnerable people, such as lone parents, the unemployed, families with children and the elderly.
Tackles social problems as opposed to physical regeneration. Involves issues such as crime, skills and education.
Solar power uses heat collectors to absorb the sun's natural energy to heat spaces and water. Efficiencies of solar power are maximised through location and orientation of buildings.
Collect heat from the sun's radiation which is then used to heat water.
Integrates policies for the development and use of land to influence the nature of places and how they function.
The Spearhead initiative looks to tackle the issue of health inequalities in the most deprived local authorities. The Spearhead Group is made up of 70 local authorities and 88 Primary Care Trusts that are in the bottom fifth nationally in terms of three or more health indicators, such as male life expectancy at birth. Further informationPublished by the Department of Health in 2004, Tackling health inequalities: the spearhead group of Local Authorities and Primary Care Trusts sets out the Public Service Agreement targets on health inequalities and explains the Spearhead Group initiative.» Department of Health
Areas where sport is used to reduce social exclusion and promote community development and regeneration. Sport Action Zones were launched in 2000 by Sport England.Twelve areas were designated as Sport Action Zones:
Further informationSport Action Zones evaluation
Ensures fairness by limiting the amount and method used by the public sector when making payments to the non-public sectors.
Produced by local authorities to highlight how councils intend to engage the community on all major planning applications.Forms part of the Local Development Framework.Further informationSee Norwich City Council's website for an example of a Statement of Community Involvement.
Government-appointed organisation that advises on particular issues (for example health and safety). Examples include organisations such as the Health and Safety Executive, English Heritage, and the Environment Agency.
Where a council transfers some or all of its homes to a housing association. Stock transfer is a way for councils to bring in significant resources to achieve the Government’s Decent Homes Standard. It only takes place when a majority of tenants, voting in an independent ballot, choose to transfer to a housing association.
Partnership for local authorities, the private sector, economic development agencies and the community sector to coordinate and promote development in a sub-region.An example of an SRP is the Tees Valley Partnership.
Government scheme to improve the health and well-being of families and children. Brings together early education, childcare, health and family support.Further information » www.surestart.gov.uk
Ensures the long-term survival of an organisation, programme or area.
Launched by the Deputy Prime Minister in 2003, this Plan sets out a long-term programme of action to deliver sustainable communities. It aims to focus attention and coordinate the efforts of all levels of government and stakeholders to meet the economic, social and environmental needs of both current and future generations. It is made up of a number of programmes, including the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder Programme, the Housing Growth Areas and the Decent Homes Standard.Further informationSustainable Communities: Building for the Future was published by the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2003 and sets out a long-term action plan for delivering sustainable communities in both urban and rural areas. » Department for Communities and Local Government
Place where people want to live, work and play, now and for generations to come.Further information What is a sustainable community?
SCP enables the conservation and protection of the environment by looking at how goods and services are produced, and the impact of products and materials across their whole lifecycle.
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.Further information » Defra
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) provide an alternative approach to drainage in developed areas.Further information» Environment Agency
Tool for auditing an organisation. Stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
