City council adopts powers to protect local communities
10 October 2007
Brighton & Hove City Council yesterday voted to ‘opt in’ to the Sustainable Communities Act, a new piece of Government legislation opening up the powers local councils have to protect and enhance their local communities.
Councillors from across the city voted on a motion supporting the Act, tabled by the Green Group on the council and seconded by Conservative and Liberal Democrat groups.
The Greens, Conservatives and Liberal Democrat groups all voted in favour; the Labour group abstained.
Once completely opted in, the council can work with ‘local panels’ made up of the city’s residents on developing new ideas to ‘enhance the economic, social or environmental well-being’ of the city.
These ideas, once agreed upon, will be taken to the Secretary of State via the Local Government Association.
The government then has a legal duty to reach agreement with the LGA on the implementation of the suggestions.
Proposals could cover anything from measures to tackle the decline of local post offices, the lack of affordable housing and good local jobs to the scarcity of dentists and the difficulties faced by small, independent shops.
Cllr Taylor (left), Convenor of the Green Group, said:
"This new legislation finally gives the community a real chance of fighting back to save local services like post offices, dentists and doctors.
It opens the way for local residents to set the agenda about issues of local importance and bid direct for government funds to change local services for the better.
"For the last five years we've campaigned for this Act to become law, and thanks to all-party cooperation in Parliament it's finally happened.
“This puts local people in the driving seat for achieving positive change.
"The act also strengthens our position in tackling threats to our communities – from clone town high streets and poor provision of public services, to the dearth of local jobs and the lack of affordable housing.
“Brighton & Hove deserves enhanced community powers. I’m delighted the council have voted to ‘opt in.’”
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Notes to editors:
For more information please contact Charlie WoodworthCharlie Woodworth
Green Group Political Assistant
01273 290452
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