Farewell to Single Regeneration Budget 4

Single Regeneration Budget 4 (SRB4) Community Safety was a seven year programme which began in 1998 to focus on community safety issues and the causes of crime in four specific geographical areas of Birmingham: Bournbrook/Selly Oak, Kingstanding/Tame Valley, Lee Bank and Soho/Handsworth. The aim of this funding stream was to tackle crime and community safety through practical initiatives to address property related crime and issues of concern to local communities including anti social behaviour, harassment, personal safety and substance misuse. 

It was also intended that the projects would be sustainable and able to continue the work they began through SRB4 with local support and ownership. Throughout its lifetime the programme supported 30 initiatives and successfully developed forward strategies for each one.   Representatives of the projects are meeting together this week to share experiences and good practice.

Successes include the Handsworth Community Fire Station which was the first community fire station in the UK, offering community resources as well as promoting fire safety. Also continuing is the Attwood Green Neighbourhood Wardens Scheme, the first in Birmingham, which began in 2001 and is now well established and well received by local residents. The wardens are a recognised and trusted presence on the streets and have helped to reduce the fear of crime amongst residents as well as having close links with local police on community issues.
The Musical Connections Project, led by Pato Banton, has recently won a Birmingham Lifelong Learning Award for its successful diversionary work with young people at risk of  being tempted into criminal activity. It offers certificated training and opportunities for employment in music related activities, operating from Matthew Boulton College.

Ian Coghill, Director of Birmingham Community Safety Partnership, said,
"One of the objectives of SRB4 was to enable people to access funding to tackle issues important to them, and  to take control of programmes in their own areas. This has been one of the most solid achievements of SRB4.

"SRB4 was the original funding source for community based work bringing partners and residents together. Everything we are doing now with respect to improving community safety and environments stems from this beginning."

Chair of SRB4 Executive Group, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Vij Randeniya, said,
"It has been a privilege to chair the SRB4 programme which has been a very wide-ranging community safety initiative that has touched many people in the Birmingham area. Themes have included CCTV programmes, creating safer areas in parks, and the sponsorship of diverse groups helping them in achieving their own aims.

"One of the personal elements of pride for me is that the Community Fire Station at Handsworth has been the cornerstone of one of the major projects and has enabled thousands of people to experience the fire education programme run there."

Deputy Chair of SRB 4 Executive Group, Steve Jordan, said,' "SRB4 is generally regarded as a flagship programme and I would like to commend everyone involved for the effort, commitment and personal dedication they have shown in the past 7 years.

"SRB4 has been at the forefront of developing a model of networking between professional bodies and community groups to turn the concept of community safety and partnership working into a reality."

ENDS
Further information from Jane Spence, Media Officer, on 0121 303 3621