Minister speaks to NDC

Ellen Wintle-Yates, Chair of New Heart for Heywood Partnership, Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Vicki Devonport, Chief Executive of New Heart for Heywood at the national conference in London

Whilst attending a national NDC conference last week Ellen Wintle-Yates, Chair of New Heart for Heywood Partnership and Vicki Devonport Chief Executive met up with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears MP.

At the annual conference in London for Communities and Local Government (which includes the NDC programme) Mrs Blears spoke of the very positive results that involving local people can make in bringing about strong partnership working.

After her address the Minister spoke to Ms Wintle-Yates and Ms Devonport about Heywood NDC and the excellent work that was being carried out by the partnership.

Ms Wintle-Yates said “It was good to hear such encouraging words from Hazel, we have been seeing improvements in Heywood over the last seven years and that will continue. The NDC has been working hard along with many partners and this year will see the start of two large building projects which will change the landscape of the town. We informed the Minister about the Health Connections/Joint Service Centre and the planned Sports, Culture and Leisure Village. The over-all message from the conference was that NDC’s have shown that when local communities are empowered and involved the results are better tailored for local needs”.

Mrs Blears who is MP for Salford continued in her address to the conference to highlight the importance of involving local residents in regeneration.

Vicki Devonport, Chief Executive of New Heart for Heywood said: “At the conference Hazel spoke about the transformation of the some of the UK’s most deprived communities and paid tribute to the 39 NDC Programmes across the UK that ‘have made places look smarter and feel safer", She also said that what distinguished the NDCs from other regeneration programmes is that "NDCs have looked at people as much as at bricks and mortar in that they’ve provided training and encouraged people to play an active part in the life of the community". She added that "changes goes deeper and lasts longer when people can take control of it". This is what NDCs are all about.”

At the conference Mrs Blears launched the document: ‘Unlocking the Talent of our Communities’. Ms Devonport added: "This fits very closely with the direction being taken by Heywood Township, the NDC and its key partners – putting residents in the driving seat of change."