Communities secretary, Eric Pickles, will shortly turn his attention to the DCLG's crucial 'communities' remit, after admitting the coalition's first eight months in charge at Eland House were dominated by council cuts and budgets.In his interview with The MJ (see page 1), Mr Pickles said the communities agenda - and local government's key role in helping to tackle extremism - would be a core focus ofhis work throughout 2011. He acknowledged local government's 'immediate challenges'- such as the need to implement wide-ranging spending cuts and proposed new powers through the Localism Bill- had dominated his first few months in charge, following the coalition's election victory.
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