Bid for Welsh cash

Projects aimed at improving access to justice in Wales have been invited to bid for a share of a 1 million funding boost following the announcement that the partnership initiative budget (PIB) will be extended into the region.

The joint venture between the Legal Services Commission (LSC), Welsh Assembly government and Community Fund will channel the cash into projects designed to beat social exclusion, and promote new and innovative ways of providing legal advice, focusing on developing services that go beyond traditional advice and casework.

It will also help projects relating to community legal education and facilitate networking between community groups and advice providers.

Projects which have already benefited from existing PIB money are Caerphilly County Citizen's Advice Bureau and Ethnic Women's Network Cymru.

LSC Welsh director Linda Summers said she was delighted the project was off the ground.

'This is an excellent example of three organisations working together to make a difference,' she added.

Legal Action Group director Karen Mackay said the PIB money was like 'sticking a plaster on to cover a gaping hole', but commended the groups for focusing on Wales.

'It has particular problems because people have to travel vast distances and face transport difficulties, which is the trouble with providing services in rural communities,' she explained.

Paula Rohan