You Won't See This In The Guardian

What happens to taxpayers 'investment in communities'.

Aston Pride was formed in June 2000, under the Government's New Deal for Communities initiative, with the aim of tackling crime, poverty and unemployment in one of the country's poorest inner city areas.

By March 2003 the Aston Pride board, which had achieved little, was disbanded on the orders of the Regeneration Minister and replaced by a new delivery partnership.

The scrutiny report warned: "The board of the Aston Pride partnership was plagued with mistrust and hostility that eventually left it dysfunctional and ineffective, despite the commitment and passion of its members.

"It became a battleground between conflicting interests rather than the centre of effort on the huge task of transforming Aston.

"Members of the board lacked the experience, skills and understanding necessary for the effective leadership and direction of a complex £54 million ten-year regeneration programme, and were not provided with effective training and support to assist them in their onerous task."

Oh well. They'd probably only got through £15 million or so before being disbanded. Plenty more where that came from.

UPDATE - I recommend NewStart magazine - most entertaining.