Kingston Council to make use of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007
Raised by: Mr. Shaun Chamberlin on 8 October 2008
We the undersigned request the Council to ensure that it is informed about the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, to 'opt in' to the Act and to use it to the fullest extent possible to help local people make their communities more economically, environmentally, socially and democratically sustainable. The Act gives the government a legal duty to 'assist local authorities in promoting the sustainability of local communities' by making recommendations to the Secretary of State. Recommendations from UK local authorities are combined, and result directly in new powers for councils, more funding and nationally binding legislation. The Act also gives local authorities a duty: to set up 'panels of representatives of local people' to decide on the recommendations made. We the undersigned specifically request the Council: 1) To ensure that all Members and key Officers have seen a copy of the guide to the Sustainable Communities Act produced by the Localworks coalition (www.localworks.org). 2) To ensure that all Members and key Officers are aware that the first invitations for participation are scheduled to be issued in 2008 and that councils must opt in to participate. 3) To opt into the Sustainable Communities Act when invitations are issued. 4) To ensure that an agenda item discussing implementing the Sustainable Communities Act is scheduled for full Council, and that a dialogue is opened with the local community about implementing the Act, as soon as possible.
Petition Details
Petition title: Kingston Council to make use of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007
Raised by: Mr. Shaun Chamberlin
Date raised: 8 October 2008
Corresponding issue: Parliament Procedures and Standards
Number of Signatures: 102
Petition Background Information:
Relevant additional documentation, including the full text of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 and Draft Motions for Councillors re resolving to use the Act can be found at:
Closing date for signatures 31 October 2008.
This petition will now be submitted.
Petition Progress
This Act provides a way in which local people, , via their local Council, can propose changes for consideration by central Government to improve the sustainability and economic, social or environmental wellbeing of their area. This includes taking part in civic or political activity. It also provides a new way for local authorities to seek to agree changes with Government to improve sustainability and wellbeing. The deadline for local authorities to put proposals to the Government for consideration is 31 July 2009. The Council’s Executive will be considering a report on the Act and it’s implications at the meeting on 9 December 2008. This petition will be considered as part of that report. This meeting is open to the public and the papers will be available on the website on Monday 1 December 2008.
For more information about the meeting please contact Wendy Windmill, 020 8547 5020 (Fax: 020 8547 5125) e.mail: wendy.windmill@rbk.kingston.gov.uk