A new £5 million programme to support the drive by councils and local agencies to create cleaner, safer and greener communities was today launched by Liveability Minister Phil Hope.

The How to programme will help practitioners - from local councils and the police to neighbourhood wardens and street cleaners - take more effective and innovative action to improve the quality of town centres, neighbourhoods and parks.

Trouble shooting guides, workshops and a special help line will offer clear advice on issues such as neighbourhood safety and tackling environmental crime. The programme will include trailblazing work in twenty towns and cities showing new and better ways of doing things.

Launching the How to programme, Phil Hope said:

"£8 billion a year is invested in improving our streets and public spaces. This is making a real difference to people's quality of life. The challenge now is to build on this momentum by helping decision makers and front line workers take more effective action to improve the places where people live and work.

"Through the How to programme, we want to spell out exactly what action can be taken, what powers can be used and what can be expected from others. It is vital that people know what works best on the ground and how it can work for them.

"I want practitioners to get fully involved in the How to programme. It is crucial that it helps those who need it most and the learning process must be a two way street - central government, local authorities and other agencies working hand in hand. It is only through working together to unlock these complex problems that we will make sure all of our communities are better places to live, now and in the future."

The launch of the How to programme also marked the publication of the first guide, How to Manage Town Centres.

The handbook explores key challenges associated with town centres and the night time economy, highlighting what powers and tools can be used.

The guide hones in on ten hot topics, ranging from reducing noise, litter and street fouling to getting home safely and drinking sensibly.

Further guides on "How to improve residential areas" and "How to create quality parks and open space" will be launched in the summer.

Home Office Minister, Hazel Blears, said:

"Everyone should be able to enjoy a few drinks in their local pubs and clubs but the Government will not allow the alcohol-fuelled disorder and violence of a minority to ruin the majority's enjoyment, or run down our communities.

"Local authorities along with the police and other partners have a key role to play in helping to make our town centres safer places to live, work and play. The new How to Manage Town Centres publication will act as a guide enabling them to take advantage of the full range of tools available to them when encountering problems of anti-social behaviour.

"I would also encourage practitioners to get involved in the How to programme and work intelligently with all relevant partners to help prevent and solve the problems of alcohol-related crime and disorder."

Welcoming the launch of the How to programme, Alan Woods, Chief Executive of ENCAMS, said:

"All those involved in caring for our neighbourhoods, town centres and parks and open spaces can benefit from the How to programme.

"It's great strength is that it offers the very best information, case histories and support all the attributes we need to help us inspire people to join with us in our quest to create cleaner, greener, safer communities. In fact, I would say the How to programme is a fantastic opportunity. After all, if someone is going to help you achieve your goal it would seem sensible to take them up on their offer. "

To visit the How to section, click here

Notes to Editors

1. The £5 million How to programme will run over the next 3 years. In the summer we are aiming to launch the remaining two guides and the helpline.

2. How to Improve Residential Areas -this will help to improve the areas around neighbourhoods; make residential areas and streets safe; tackle housing-related anti-social behaviour and design, manage and maintain streetscapes better.

3. How to Create Quality Parks and Open Spaces - this will aim to use planning and design to improve quality; encourage long-term management and maintenance; assessment of standards for parks and green spaces and highlight the role of local communities in transforming local parks and spaces.

4. The How to programme is specifically aimed at practitioners who work in national agencies, local authorities, policing and community safety, health services, local businesses and community services.

5. The How to programme is part of the Cleaner Safer Greener Communities (CSGC) initiative. This cross-government initiative is led by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and run in conjunction with the Home Office, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department for Transport, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department of Health, Department for Education and Skills, Department for Trade and Industry and Her Majesty's Treasury.

6. Agencies such as ENCAMS, CABE Space, IDeA and Groundwork will also be involved in the programme.

7. Twenty towns and cities from across England have been invited to work with us in developing and implementing best practice solutions and utilising current powers and tools more effectively. We will work together on liveability issues that are a priority to the towns and cities and starting with the better management of town centres and the night-time economy.

8. The twenty towns and cities are Ipswich, Hackney, Gateshead, Wolverhampton, Kingston-upon-Hull, Luton, Southwark, Westminster, Liverpool, Brighton and Hove, Nottingham, Ealing, Bolton, Newcastle, Sheffield, Dudley, Gloucester, Reading, Bristol and Manchester.

9. Further details on the How to programme are available at www.cleanersafergreener.gov.uk or www.odpm.gov.uk/cleanersafergreeener

10. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister leads the Government's drive to create cleaner, safer, greener communities. Phil Hope is Parliamentary under Secretary at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

11. For press information contact Matthew Wells at ODPM, 020 7944 4613, matthew.wells@odpm.gsi.gov.uk