Haringey council and the Sustainable Communities Act

Following a discussion on the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 I wrote the following to local councillors
Dear Councillors,
Following the passing of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, it is now a requirement of central government to provide for the implementation of local sustainability strategies that communities will be invited to draw up themselves together with their councils in a participatory not consultative process. By October 2008 the government must ask every council to submit suggestions of ways that it can help residents and local authorities make communities more sustainable. Local authorities must ask residents' opinions of what these suggestions should be.
Therefore I am writing to ask you to find out what steps are currently being taken by the council to begin this process and how it will be communicated to residents.

Here is the response from Cllr Lorna Reith
Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement

Sustainable Communities Act 2007

Thank you for your query regarding the above Act.

The Government are currently consulting on the future guidance that will determine the implementation of the Sustainable Communities Act. This consultation ends on 12th May 2008. The Government has said that this guidance will be drawn together with the guidance for Creating Strong and Prosperous Communities. This joint guidance is due to be published later in May 2008.

As you flagged up, the Government are required to issue invitations to local authorities, on or before 22nd October 2008, to draw up proposals for their area in conjunction with local representatives. Any proposal made will be expected to promote local sustainability. Proposals can request the transfer of functions from one body to another. Allied to this, local authorities will be able to request ‘local spending reports’ from the Secretary of State. These local spending reports will provide valuable information for any local proposals that we might want to make. The Government will be issuing consultation in July 2008 on these local spending reports and the Secretary of State is expected to have arrangements for them in place by April 2009.

The spirit of the Act is that local people know what is best for their area and the Act supports the role of local authorities as community leaders. There is an emphasis in the consultation guidance that steps are taken to ensure that under represented groups are involved. The full picture of what this Act will entail is a gradually emerging one. We are anticipating that when this final guidance is issued it will provide a clear framework of what is expected of all parties who have responsibilities under this Act. Once this is available we will be able to set out Haringey’s full response to the Act.

In addressing any new requirements or opportunities within the Act we would wish to use our existing consultation processes as well as look at new ways to be ensure maximum participation.

We do have a range of consultation processes in place and there are many opportunities for people to become involved in their localities. You are already aware of our Area Assemblies where local residents can become involved in their neighbourhoods and the next meeting of the St, Ann’s and Harringay Assembly is on 3rd June at 7.30 in the Salvation Army Hall, 2 Terront Road, N15 3AA.

If you want any further details about this meeting or other events in your area then please contact Dasos Maliotis who is the Neighbourhood Manager on 0208 489 4936 or e mail him at dasos.maliotis@haringey.gov.uk

Local people can also let the Council know their views through “Have your Say Haringey” on our website.

Participatory?