NEWS RELEASES
‘Make a wish’
19 May 2009
Deadline for your ideas extended to 30 June.
IF you could change your local community for the better in just one way, what would it be?
A new law, the Sustainable Communities Act, gives councils the opportunity to submit proposals to influence government policy on tackling community decline and promoting sustainability. But councils need to ensure they have consulted local people first.
Horsham District Council has resolved to make proposals by the 31 July deadline and wants to hear people’s ideas.
The Act can be used for anything that requires a change at a national level (such as a change in legislation, a transfer of responsibilities from one public body to another, a new national policy or strengthening of existing policy) and can be proved to have the support of, and will increase the sustainability of, your community.
Both small scale as well as larger ideas will be considered.
Given the economic and environmental challenges currently faced, creativity and innovation is needed like never before.
Where a successful case is made for the transfer of responsibilities from one public body to another, relevant budgets would transfer across at the same time. However, the Government has made it clear that no extra money will be available.
A ‘good ideas’ form has been prepared which can be downloaded from the website and can be submitted by email or in writing. The deadline for submitting ideas is Tuesday 30 June.
Ideas will be considered by the Horsham District Community Partnership, which is working with Horsham District Council to agree proposals to submit to the Government. The Community Partnership comprises representatives from all sections of the local population who are committed to working together to make the Horsham District a better place to live, work and visit.
Any group or individual can put forward a good idea, although it is expected that most ideas will come from voluntary and community groups, parish councils, businesses, town partnerships and similar bodies, having discussed their ideas with their members, clients and supporters.
This is a unique chance to tell the Government what to do but it should be remembered that the Government, advised by the Local Government Association, will have the final say about which proposals from right across the country to support. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears, whose department is leading on the new Act, has stated that she will consider all proposals with a genuinely open mind.
Ends
Further information is available online at www.horsham.gov.uk or by contacting Julian Carrington, Horsham District Council’s Community Planning Manager, on 01403 215184 or by email at: julian.carrington@horsham.gov.uk
For information about the Community Partnership, visit its website at: www.hdcp.uk.net
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk