Press Releases for 2004

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES: report of regional public meeting in Canterbury

10th December 2004

The Local Works Campaign held a regional public meeting for East Kent on the Sustainable Communities Bill it is promoting, in cooperation with Kent Green Party, Canterbury on 9th December. The proposed bill has the support of 237 MPs and has obtained support from MPs involved in the current Private Members ballot in Parliament. Over 300 local organisations and a large coalition of national organisations have already given the Bill their support (1).

Hazel Dawe (Kent Green Party and East Kent Local Works Campaign) chaired the meeting at the Environment Centre and introduced the Bill. It will give each local council the power to draw up a plan for improving policies relating to economic, environmental and social sustainability and compel Government to provide resources necessary to meet local needs.

Emily Shirley (Canterbury Cittaslow Campaign & People Against Canterbury Expansion) explained how the Bill would further the aims of creating local communities in which preserving the local urban and rural environment and locally-based businesses and crafts are critical. The Bill would make places like Canterbury more liveable by increasing space for pedestrians and decreasing traffic congestion, as part of policies for sustainability.

Charles Secrett (formerly Executive Director, Friends of the Earth) stressed that we need to work with the limits of existing settlements and environments, guided by the principle of sustainability. The Bill will offer empowerment and participation to local communities by setting stronger standards for public involvement and influence over local decision-making. It would address two types of problems: Ghost Town Britain where urban and rural communities lack the basic facilities they need and Clone Town Britain where the same shops dominate urban centres and diversity and character are lost. Losing 20 traditional pubs a month, local bank branches and local post offices is bad enough. But within 5 years of a typical supermarket opening, there is an average net loss of over 270 jobs in the locality. 70% of parishes have no general store and 49% no school. Winning the campaign, which is possible within 2-3 years, could begin to address these problems. Ends c348 words

FURTHER INFORMATION: Dr Hazel Dawe on 01233 645167 or 07747 014487. Contact address as above. For information about the Campaign contact Steve Shaw Local Works Campaign, 020 7833 9898, mobile: 07788 646933 - steve@localworks.org or see the website: www.localworks.org

Notes: 1. Supporting organisations include: ACT Active Citizens Transform, BASSAC, British Independent Fruit Growers Association, CAMRA, Charter 88, Community Composting Network, Community Recycling Network, CTC National Cyclists' Organisation, Ecology Building Society, FARM, Farm Retail Association, Friends of the Earth, the Green Party, Living Streets, London Wildlife Trust, National Association of Farmers' Markets, National Association of Small Schools, National Federation of Community Organisations, National Federation of Retail Newsagents, National Federation of Women's Institutes, National Pharmacy Association, Public and Commercial Services Union, Resurgence Magazine, Shelter, Small and Family Farmers' Association, SIBA - Society of Independent Brewers, Soil Association, Sustain, Sustainable Energy Partnership, Transport 2000, Triodos Bank, UKVillages, UNISON

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