Communities in Control: real people, real power – a rural commentary
- Posted on:
- Friday, 11th July 2008 at 1:35pm
We've produced a short paper summarising the main elements of the new Communities in Control White Paper from our perspective. The paper was launched by Communities and Local Government on 9 July.
Overall, the paper sets out a clear commitment to making representational democracy work better, adding into the mix the importance of participatory engagement in giving more control and influence to more people. The key themes of power, influence and control, accountability and how it can be diffused throughout all communities are all important elements of a strong democracy.
As the government’s rural adviser, we look forward to advising on how the ambitions of the white paper can be delivered in rural areas.
Comments
at 2:28pm
on Friday, 11th July 2008
2
Thanks for your comment. Community led planning can play an important role in delivering the ambitions of the white paper. The white paper does state a commitment to creating funding to support community engagement in planning. We welcome this, and interpret this statement to include the role of community led planning. Our paper does welcome this as we have long been advocating the role of community led planning in informing decision making. With our partners, we would be pleased to advise how the excellent practice across rural England can be used to guide the development of this commitment.
at 2:56pm
on Friday, 11th July 2008
at 11:58pm
on Friday, 11th July 2008
at 1:54pm
on Saturday, 12th July 2008
5
If CRC is serious regarding the empowerment of rural communities it would be really good if the Commission could highlight the role and value of Village Design Statements, Parish Plans and Village Action Plans. In our county of Kent six LPAs encourage and support parish and community plans. However our LPA, Dover District Council, declines to do so in spite of DCLG's clear requirement in the recently published PPS 12 that: "Local Planning Authorities should pay close attention to the contents of non statutory parish and community plans as part of their community involvement". It would also be helpful if CRC could persuade DCLG to act upon its own proposal : "to remove the requirement for SPDs to have a Sustainability Appraisal unless they involve aspects not covered in the parent Development Plan Document". Meanwhile acceptance of Village Design Statements as "a material consideration" is a way forward that has recommended itself to Kent's other LPAs and that is the logical and proper course for Dover D.C. to adopt.
at 9:49am
on Thursday, 17th July 2008
at 10:40am
on Thursday, 17th July 2008
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