The How to programme is a practical way of helping you improve your community. It offers clear advice, explains the tools available and sets out the issues facing local authority staff from planners through to street cleaners, those involved in policing, health professionals and everyone else whose work delivers cleaner, safer, greener, communities.

Whether working on the front line or doing the planning it will engage and listen to what you have to say and update advice and information based on your experiences. The How to programme will communicate the lessons learnt, spread best practice and create a culture of innovation by:

• explaining the issues that affect the "liveability" of town centres, residential areas, and parks and open spaces
• identifying ways of using existing tools, powers and money better
• engaging with the people who provide local environmental services - at a strategic and practical level
• providing support and advice when required - by phone, online or in person.

1. Three guides that give examples of good practice and set out approaches for using powers better. The guides will cover town centres, residential areas, and parks and open spaces.
2. Events and seminars will explore in detail the issues identified in the guides - so that the guides can be regularly updated and you can learn from your peers.
3. Helpline will answer your questions quickly and conveniently, this will be available in June 2005.

The How to programme is specifically aimed at practitioners who work in:

• national agencies
• local authorities
• policing and community safety
• health services, including accident and emergency
• entertainment and leisure businesses
• community services

Over the next five years the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) will lead on the development and implementation of the How to programme. We will drive a climate of innovation and support for those responsible for the quality of public spaces by working with the:

• Home Office
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Department for Transport