Ilfracombe wins bid to become government national pilot

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) announced last week that Ilfracombe has been successful in its bid to pilot 'Neighbourhood-level Community Budgets'.

Ilfracombe has been hand-picked to pioneer a public service revolution that will slash financial red tape and duplication in order to respond to local need and save taxpayers' millions. The revolutionary funding strategy known as 'Community Budgets' will let the council team up with all public services in our area to combine resources into a single locally coordinated 'pool and save' pot with greater local control of improved services for local people.

Ilfracombe Town Council, fully supported by Devon County Council and North Devon Council, submitted a detailed proposal to create more innovative, cohesive and ultimately better ways of delivering public services, along with 18 partner agencies as co-signatories.

The Community Budgets are about giving people more power over their local services and local spend, as part of the government's drive to decentralise power from Whitehall to neighbourhoods. The other resources the local community can bring in terms of its volunteers, its community groups and its businesses can then be aligned to ensure a focussed, co-ordinated approach.

Originally, 44 areas across the UK applied to become pilots and of those, 24 were shortlisted to attend a meeting at the DCLG on Wednesday 30 November. Ilfracombe Town Councillor Ron Ley, leading on behalf of Ilfracombe Town Council, was one of those interviewed, along with Devon County Council Chief Executive Phil Norrey, North Devon Council Chief Executive Mike Mansell and Ilfracombe Town Council Officer Andrea Beacham.

Councillor Ley said: "Our concept represents the most radical change in more than 40 years in our town; by involving communities in service delivery and partnership working. It will be a breath of fresh air by returning power to the people. We felt we had a strong case for Ilfracombe to work with government to find ways of making public services more effective. The town is ready to move on from the old way of working where services were 'delivered' to the public, often in isolation and with little community control. Ilfracombe Town Council had a vision of turning service delivery on its head - what does the community want and need and how can we ensure this is met."

Andrea Beacham explained that it was not just the clear vision of change that had brought Ilfracombe success, despite tough competition from other areas and authorities. She said: "The strength of our partnership and enthusiastic support of our agency colleagues was very powerful."

Those partners backing the new way of working include Devon and Cornwall Police, NHS Devon, Jobcentre Plus, Ilfracombe Medical Centre, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue, South Western Ambulance Service, Ilfracombe Infant School, North Devon Voluntary Services, Citizens Advice Bureau, North Devon Plus, North Devon Homes, Combe Business, Westward Pathfinder, AONB, Ilfracombe Harbour Board and North Devon Hospice.

North Devon Council's Chief Executive Mike Mansell said: "The community budgets are a new initiative and it's exciting to be involved. We will need to work with the community to ensure the project works well for everyone. However, I believe it certainly will be interesting times for all."

North Devon Council Leader, Councillor Brian Greenslade, said: "Very many congratulations to the team who have achieved this outstanding success. It breaks new boundaries and Ilfracombe will be very much a pathfinder. North Devon Council will play its part in taking this forward. Exciting news for the town and the district."

Councillor John Hart, Leader of Devon County Council, said: "This pilot gives all tiers of local government the opportunity to come together to work together for the benefit of the community of Ilfracombe. Working differently will give better value and we are determined to work together to engage with all who share our enthusiasm for this new way of working."

The government will work with Ilfracombe throughout 2012, as partners agree a framework for implementing the Neighbourhood-level Community Budget and the community will be involved throughout.

Mayor of Ilfracombe, Councillor Rod Donovan said: "I feel honoured and proud to be leading such a positive council and strong community who through hard work and determination have demonstrated that an aspirational vision can become reality."