Community Fund backs merger plan

The merger of the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund
will go ahead, following assurances from the culture secretary
Tessa Jowell that the voluntary sector would not lose its right to
independent decision-making.

The move won backing from the Community Fund, which had originally
resisted the merger, after Jowell guaranteed principles on funding
for the voluntary and community sector, and responded favourably to
a joint vision for the new distributor put together by the two
lottery boards.

Key proposals from the paper are likely to be incorporated into a
white paper on lottery distribution, due to be published in July
for consultation.

Community Fund chairperson Diana Brittan said: “The consultation
period will ensure that those working in our communities to improve
quality of life for so many will get a chance to have their
say.”

A joint committee will be set up by the Community Fund and the New
Opportunities Fund to work on the plans for the new distributor.

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