Public to vote on Lottery grants

The way Lottery money is spent would be decided by the public
under government plans, culture, media and sport secretary Tessa
Jowell said today, writes Clare
Jerrom.

The Lottery Bill, published by the government, would allow
Lottery distributors to take account of public consultation in
making decisions as to which good causes should receive funding

Under the plans, the public could vote on Lottery grants
showcased through television programmes.

Other parts of the bill include creating simpler rules to ensure
Lottery money reaches projects faster and it confirms that the New
Opportunities Fund will be merged with the Community Fund and
Millenium Commission into a single distributor – the Big Lottery
Fund.