Make a proposal to improve your area

Individuals and organisations were invited to make suggestions to the Council on how to improve quality of life and wellbeing in their local area by making a proposal under the Sustainable Communities Act. We have considered all proposals and drawn up a shortlist to go to central government.

Sustainable Communities Act

The Sustainable Communities Act (2007) allows communities and councils to propose changes to legislation, a new national policy or a transfer of responsibilities from one public body to another, where they believe these changes will improve their local areas.

Using the Sustainable Communities Act anyone, as an individual or on behalf of a local organisation or forum, can submit proposals through the Council.

The idea must need central government action – such as a change in the law, or a transfer of responsibility from one public body to another. It should also fall into one or more of the following areas:

Economic

• Provision of local services
• The number of local jobs
• Planning policies that help achieve the aims of the Act

Social

• Ending fuel poverty
• Promoting local food and ending food poverty
• Increasing social inclusion
• Measures to increase community health and well-being

Environmental well-being

• Promoting local energy and energy efficiency
• Helping the environment
• Measures to reduce the level of road traffic

Participation in civic or political activity 

• Promoting greater participation in decision making

How to take part

Who can submit a proposal?

Anyone can suggest a proposal, either as an individual or on behalf of an organisation.

The deadline for proposals was 26 June 2009.

All proposals were considered by Council officers and the Mayor to ensure that they meet the Act's criteria.

A shortlist of proposals were decided by a panel of representatives of local people and submitted to the Local Government Association (LGA) on 31 July 2009.

A final shortlist of proposals will go to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government who will reach agreement with the LGA on which of the proposals on the shortlist should be implemented.

More information

For more information contact us or visit the websites listed below.

Communities and Local Government (external website)
A free guide to the Act.

Local Government Association (external website)
More detailed information about the sustainable communities act.

Local Works (external website)
Local Works is a coalition of over 90 national organisations campaigning to promote the use of the Sustainable Communities Act.