Archived decisions

COUNTY COUNCIL - 11 MAY 2006 - NOTICE OF MOTION

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES BILL

That Hampshire County Council

(i) expresses its concern at nationwide the decline of local services and facilities which affects local communities in Hampshire and in particular the elderly and people on the lowest incomes; the resulting decline of local jobs and local economies and the resulting extra traffic and pollution caused by the need to travel further

(ii) and notes that this combination of factors increases people's feelings of alienation, exclusion and lack of involvement; and so

(iii) supports measures to reverse this process and

(iv) supports the concept of local sustainability as envisaged in the Sustainable Communities Bill, namely;

* the promotion of local economies

* the promotion of local services and facilities

* the protection of the environment

* the reduction of social exclusion and

* measures to increase involvement in the democratic process

(v) and accordingly resolves to support the Sustainable Communities Bill, which

* requires the government to assist councils and communities in promoting

local sustainability in ways decided by those councils and communities; and

* sets up a participative process whereby councils and communities can drive the way in which government uses its power and influence to assist with the promotion of local sustainability; and

(vi) recognises therefore that the Bill provides for a `bottom-up' rather than a `top down' one-size-fits-all process

(vii) notes that this Bill is therefore fully in accord with current thinking in local government in that it impacts on central authorities and does not impose any new duties on local councils rather it enables them to influence how government uses its resources and influence to help councils and communities; and

(viii) further resolves ...

* to inform the local media of this decision to support the Sustainable Communities Bill

* to write to local MPs, asking them to support the Bill; and sign EDM (Early Day Motion) No. 641; and

* to write to the Local Works Campaign (at 94 White Lion St, London N1 PF) expressing its support.

Proposer: Councillor Adam Carew Seconder: Councillor Sam Payne