Local people now have a new chance to improve their local community. The Sustainable Communities Act gives people the opportunity to come up with proposals to improve the place where they live. North Yorkshire County Council and the District and Borough Councils of Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmond, Ryedale, Scarborough and Selby would like to hear your ideas.
What type of proposals will be considered?
It is important to remember that any proposal submitted must need action from central government. The Act does not provide any additional funding from central government, so ideas that require extra funding from a council cannot be considered.
Four aspects of sustainability are covered by the Act and your idea needs to fall into one or more of them:
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
Who can submit a proposal?
Anyone can suggest a proposal via their District/Borough Council or the County Council. However, to give you an opportunity to discuss your idea with others, it is suggested that proposal are submitted through local branches of national organisations, parish or town councils, neighbourhood forums, residents’ and tenants’ associations, local strategic partnerships and other partnership bodies.
How do I submit a proposal?
The deadline for all proposals is March 31, 2009. Contact your District/Borough Council or the County Council for an information pack. If you want to discuss your proposal, contact one of the council officers listed below.
All proposals will be considered by the relevant Councils. Further information on the Act can be found at
www.lga.gov.uk (click on “Our work”, then “Sustainable Communities”).