Next week’s Cabinet meeting (25th July, 2012), will see Walsall Council setting out proposals for strengthening the role and contribution of community based organisations active in the Borough.

Cabinet Members will be discussing a proposed model of ‘community hubs,’ community based organisations delivering a variety of service through local venues.

The objectives of community hubs are three-fold; to build capacity in local communities to improve services for residents; to strengthen the sustainability of local community organisations and their ability to deliver council objectives and to reduce dependency on public services by supporting self sufficiency and independent living.

This will involve greater devolution of responsibilities and resources to community organisations, including greater use of existing community assets, in order to deliver services which better meet the needs of local communities.

Councillor Ian Shires, portfolio holder for Community Engagement, with Walsall Council Coalition, said: “These are important proposals for strengthening the role and contribution of community based organisations to deliver key objectives that will support local communities.

“In order to support the development of the model we are proposing initial pilot work with the Moxley People’s Centre and the Ryecroft Neighbourhood Resource Centre.

“By working across Cabinet portfolios we are hoping to be able to help local communities further establish these facilities in Walsall.”

There will be a report back to a future Cabinet on the learning from this pilot work and how it will inform the roll out of the policy across the borough.