Lib Dems check progress on power to the people plans (Norwich Liberal Democrats Online)

Lib Dems check progress on power to the people plans

March 31, 2009 10:27 AM

unlock Last year, the Liberal Democrats on Norwich City Council gained all-party agreement to a move designed to give people more of a say on what they want happening in their communities. Now, several months on, they are asking the City Council Executive for details on how work on the scheme has progressed.

Under the "Sustainable Communities Act", local authorities can put forward proposals, chosen and agreed with the local community, to promote local sustainability and well-being. These are then judged by the LGA and the Government is obliged to provide the necessary financial or legal support for those that the LGA gives the green light to. In November last year, the council agreed to the 'bottom up' process of the Act and agreed to use it by preparing and submitting proposals by 31st July 2009.

Cllr Wright, who is asking the Executive about the Council's use of the powers said:

"The Sustainable Communities Act allows community representatives to put forward proposals which will benefit the local community and enhance sustainability. I welcome the Executive's recent decision to draw up proposals ready for submission to the LGA but am seeking further information on how they are going to make sure the process is truly bottom-up. One of the selling points of this Act is that it reverses the trend away from diktat from above and towards letting local people have real influence in decisions, which affect their lives. I look forward to hearing about the Executive's means of achieving this."

Notes

The Sustainable Community Act, which became law in October 2007, gives the government a legal duty to assist councils in promoting sustainability of local communities. Councils will make proposals to the government and the LGA (Local Government Association) will select which proposals will be given priority. In making these proposals councils must involve local people, from all sections of the community. Proposals could include, defending local post offices from closure, promoting local businesses by helping public bodies procure goods and services produced within 30 miles or so, or measures to promote cycling and walking.

The Act includes a requirement for the government and quangos to publish a local breakdown of all related local spending, councils will then be empowered to claw back locally-spent money which they think they could more effectively spend themselves and take control of some government functions.

The motion passed at Council last November read:

Sustainable Communities Act

That Norwich City Council:

(i) supports the bottom up process described in the Sustainable Communities Act, which is designed to aid local communities to direct central government assistance towards reversing community decline.;

(ii) notes that the Act gives local authorities the power to

make proposals to government on the action and assistance government must take or give to promote sustainable communities, and

argue for a transfer of public money and function from central to local control;

(iii) resolves, in the light of the Council's stated intention to make full use of the powers, to use the Act by preparing and submitting proposals on how central government can help by 31st July 2009; and

(iv) further resolves to ask the Executive to

inform the local media of this decision;

write to local MPs, informing them of this decision;

write to Local Works (at Local Works, c/o Unlock Democracy, 6 Cynthia St, London N1 9JF) informing them of the council's resolution to use the Act; and

strongly encourage any new Council representing the Norwich area to continue to make full use of the powers.

More information on the Sustainable Communities Act and the ongoing campaign can be found here: http://www.localworks.org/

Cllr Wright will ask the following question at this week's council meeting:

"In the light of the recent Executive decision regarding use of the Sustainable Communities Act powers, could the Executive Member please clarify how the Council will work with the local community in drawing up these important proposals and ensuring that this is a truly bottom-up approach?"

Norwich Liberal Democrats Online