Bristol City Council and the Sustainable Communities Act

What is the Act and why should you get involved?

Developed by a coalition called Local Works following a five -year campaign, the Sustainable Communities Act gained Royal Assent in October 2007. It aims to promote the sustainability of local communities and it ‘begins from the principle that local people know best what needs to be done to promote the sustainability of their area, but that sometimes they need central government to act to enable them to do so’. It gives local communities the ability to put forward policy suggestions to central government, via their council, before 31 July2009 to promote the sustainability of their area. Anyone can submit a suggestion, but it is likely that suggestions will be made by organised groups such as community groups, resident associations and local branches of national organisations. Local Strategic Partnerships can submit suggestions. The remit for suggestions is broad and must aim to improve the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of an area or areas in Bristol. Social wellbeing also includes suggestions that will promote participation in civic and political activity

Further information

On the 26th February the Council's webpage on the Sustainable Communities Act will go live. The page will give information about the Act and how you can go about making suggestions. The Act and guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government is available at http://www.communities.gov.uk/ For further advice about the Act and how you can be involved pleasecontact Graham Starmer, Programme Co-ordinator, Sustainable Communities on 0117 922 4917 or e-mail graham.starmer@bristol.gov.uk