Sustainable Communities Act - where next for Hounslow?

Some of you may remember that last Summer I was encouraging local people to feedback through TakeBackPowerHounslow.org on the Sustainable Communities Act. Unfortunately Hounslow did not consult local people and get local ideas in before the "wave one" deadline. However a commitment was made that Hounslow will make a submission in the "second wave".

It is not clear at present when this will take place and concern that it was not clear in the original legislation that there would be a second wave has caused some MPs to table a Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill. This would require governments to consider proposals at frequent intervals, which I welcome.

However a total of 301 proposals were submitted during "wave one" by about 100 local authorities across the country. The primary legislation gave the LGA a "selector" role and it has now forwarded a shortlist of proposals to John Denham, the Secretary of State for Communities.

Its very long list, rather like a bible of where central government diktat cripples local government's effectiveness in supporting local communities. There are 199 proposals which the LGA selector panel considered have merit and is asking Government to consider implementing.

Two person favourite proposals are:

1) It is generally accepted that a diverse mix of retail services (including shops, pubs and cinemas) contributes to the vitality of an area. However, the planning and licensing system gives councils little ability to influence the retail offer in their local areas. So a short-listed proposal is that local authorities are given powers to limit the concentration of certain types of businesses within a geographic area through changes to licensing policy.

2) Revising allotment legislation to encourage and facilitate local authorities to provide more allotments, community gardens, community orchards or market gardens; and a change to the Allotment Act enabling the sale of grown produce. This will allow allotment holders to sell their surplus product to local shops.

The LGA is now pressing Government for a decision before the Easter recess (ahead of the General Election). Cllr Paul Fisher has been making inquiries on this matter at London Borough of Hounslow (which prompted me to make this posting!) and I really hope London Borough of Hounslow will advance a supportive motion at full borough council endorsing some of the short-listed proposals. The Council could then make some supportive public statements and lobby the Secretary of State to progress proposals that will most benefit the people of Hounslow.