The Sustainable communities act is still progressing. The submission from Bath and NE Somerset is still in the frame for implementation.

From: Tony Maguire

Sent: 03 December 2010 12:37

Dear Cllr. Crossley,

Thank you for your recent letter dated the 29th November 2010 to Greg Clark MP about the Sustainable Communities Act. I hope you understand the Minister receives many letters and emails every day and is unfortunately unable to answer all of them personally. His office has asked me to reply.

The Government is totally committed to devolving power to local councils, local communities and local citizens. It believes that by giving people more power and control over the services that are delivered in their areas, a new spirit of civic pride in communities can be inspired. The Sustainable Communities Act gives people a voice to tell their local council something needs to change – and gives local communities the chance to ask Government to give them the power to make it happen.

Since coming into Government, Ministers have taken action on many of the issues raised by proposals, such as removing gardens from the classification of ‘previously developed land’ and giving councils new freedoms on how they spend their money and are continuing to look carefully at the many other ideas submitted. Ministers have noted the support for ‘Vision for Local Sustainability’ a list of 30 proposals the Local Works coalition have identified as vital for protecting and promoting thriving local communities.”

Ministers are conscious that proposals were originally submitted last summer and that people are naturally anxious for decisions. The Department for Communities and Local Government Business Plan states the Government will make decisions by the end of January 2011 at the latest, but the Government hopes to make a more detailed statement shortly.

Yours sincerely

Tony Maguire

 

From: Paul Crossley (Cllr)

Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2010 4:41 PM
To: CLARK, Greg
Cc: ‘Steve Shaw’; Roger Symonds (Cllr); Francine Haeberling (Cllr)
Subject: Sustainable Communities ACT

Dear Mr Clark

I understand that negotiations on the proposals made under the Sustainable Communities Act have begun.

I am therefore writing to you to ask that you please agree to implement the proposal on reducing the voting age to 16 from Bath and North East Somerset Council.

This proposal is part of the ‘Vision for Local Sustainability’: a list of 30 proposals that the Local Works coalition view as vital for protecting and promoting thriving local communities.

I have copied in Cllr Symonds who is working with the LGA on implementing projects that have arisen from this bill and Cllr Haeberling who is the leader of the Conservative Group and the Council.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Paul Crossley