Funding to cover core costs, simpler application processes, quicker turn-around for applications and longer-term funding programmes have all been identified as key issues by respondents to the first phase of the public consultation that is informing the development of strategic funding priorities for the Big Lottery Fund.
Responses to the consultation have also stressed the importance of the UK?s largest Lottery distributor having local knowledge and partnership working with other key stakeholders. Following protests that the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland could lose their influence over funding priorities and strategies (AP issue 81, 6 September 2004, p3), the Big Lottery?s board has now committed to re-defining the roles of its regional offices, strengthening its regional policy development and widening its outreach, communications and partnership work in the regions. Regional stakeholder advisory panels will be set up to implement a new series of funding programmes, which will be finalised in the light of findings from the recently-completed second phase of the consultation, due to be published in May. The new strategy and programmes are likely to be rolled out in the summer.
Published: 14-02-2005