The Sustainable Communities Act. What does a Sustainable Community mean? “Creating healthy...
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Transcript of The Sustainable Communities Act. What does a Sustainable Community mean? “Creating healthy...
What does a Sustainable Community mean?
“Creating healthy communities that can thrive and survive in the long term”
How do we create a sustainable community?
• Government: national framework• Councils: local strategy• Is this enough?• What about local communities?• They should have a voice!
There is something that you would like improved in your community
How do you influence change at the local level?
Ghost Town BritainThe New Economics Foundation
• Decline in independent shops • Decline in banks and post offices• Decline in public services• Decline in political involvement• Communities fragmenting
Local Works Formed
• Coalition of over 100 organisations• Sustainable Communities Bill• 5 year campaign to pass the Act• Grassroots campaign• Thousands supported the Bill
The philosophy of the SCA
• Communities face overwhelming challenges which no council or community can resolve on their own
• Central government is very powerful, they should be able to help, not dictate, with the solutions
• Local people should be the experts to the problems they are facing in their area – they should have a voice
NOT just another consultation
• Councils have a legal duty to reach agreement with communities regarding ideas they have for help from central government
• Government has legal duty to reach agreement on proposals
• Unique process
The Sustainable Communities Act, 2007
• A channel through which local people, together with their councils, can drive government action in their local area.
• ‘Bottom up’ power
• You say what you want, rather than Whitehall dictating it
Achievements
• Saved post offices in Sheffield• Discounted business rates to help local shops• Promoted Renewable energy schemes• Closed planning loop holes• Statements of support from government
How Does The Act Work?
• Anyone can use the Act, it is not prescriptive
• A council must resolve to use the Act
• The key that unlocks the process
Proposals1) Must help the community in a sustainable way
• Promote local economy• Help the local environment• Encourage greater democracy• Encourage greater social inclusion
2) Must require government action
• Not valid If the council can already do it
Your council is using the Act, write down ideas for proposals that would help your community
Environmental - promoting renewable energy, increasing recycling and protecting green spacesLocal Economies – promoting local shops, local businesses and local jobsSocial inclusion – protecting local public services and alleviating fuel poverty and food povertyDemocratic involvement – increasing ways that local people can participate in local decision making, promoting new ways in which people can influence what happens locally
Must be something that requires government action