SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES BILL

That this House notes the success of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 as the first step towards building a bottom up democracy; further notes the enthusiasm shown by local authorities across England in deciding to use the Act, with 115 councils, nearly one third of all principal councils, having opted to use that process; notes also the genuine cross-party support that the original Act commanded; welcomes the Sustainable Communities Bill which will extend the 2007 Act in two ways, firstly by involving parish and town councils and their county associations in the process, and secondly by ensuring that the process of involvement established by the Act becomes an on-going process rather than a one-off event; and so supports the Sustainable Communities Bill.