Community and Voluntary News November 2007

• According to a survey by the Dept for Communities and Local Government, 37% of people believe they can influence local decisions, compared with 44% in 2001. The survey covered a sample of 15,000 adults with 5000 coming from ethnic minority groups. The survey also showed up differences in the perceptions of those taking part. The white people surveyed thought that racial prejudice has increased in that time, whilst those from ethnic minority groups did not. Communities Secretary Hazel Blears commented “too few people feel they can influence decisions. There is a general apathy with the political process that we must strive to turn around by reinvigorating local democracy”. For more information see Citizenship Survey on our publications section.
  
• The Social Enterprise Coalition has named its list of 25 entrepreneurs selected to champion the social enterprise movement. The list of Social Enterprise Ambassadors will attempt to win support for social enterprise as a practical solution to a range of social and environmental problems. The list is available from http://socialenterpriseambassadors.org
  
• A report by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies at Kings College London claims that victims of crime living on low income are more likely to experience civil legal problems. The report also says that social injustice is concentrated amongst the poorest and most vulnerable. The report The Problems of Everyday Life is available on our website.
  
• The Dept for Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Association have launched an action plan for community empowerment. The plan proposes to give councils a duty to involve local people in policy making, and also includes publishing a toolkit on transferring local government assets to communities, a consultation on forcing councils to take account of local petitions, and a commitment to giving young people more of a say on youth services. For more details see An Action Plan for Community Empowerment: Building on Success on our publications section.