The Sustainable Communities Act 2007 gives an opportunity for councils and communities to put forward new thinking on how best to improve quality of life and wellbeing in their local areas.

The Act became law in October 2007. It provides a statutory framework for councils in England, working with local people and community groups, to put forward proposals on sustainable improvements to economic, environmental and social wellbeing. This includes plans involving decentralisation and reconfiguration of public services, and changes to the pattern of public spending, which would contribute to these goals.

The Local Government Association has been appointed as the national ‘selector’ body to assess and short-list proposals made by councils under the Act. Proposals from the final short-list are then decided on by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, after consultation with the LGA as selector.

If you have any enquiries regarding the Sustainable Communities Act, or would like further information please email selector@lga.gov.uk

The Selector newsletter provides monthly updates for LGA member councils on key developments, events and consultations around the act. To subscribe, go to the email services page where you can sign up to receive copies of the Selector newsletter and other e-mail bulletins.

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Content marked with a red 'M' is only available to you if you are from a Local Government Association member council and have registered on the website. You will also be able to use your username and password on other Local Government Group websites.

Latest news and analysis

  • Local Government Association responds to CLG consultation on Local Spending Reports

    Increased transparency in public services is an enabler to both build public confidence and trust and to achieve a leaner, more effective public sector. Achieving this aim requires work and commitment from all parts of the public sector. Our response to the CLG consultation on Local Spending Reports sets out key standards for the reports, agencies for inclusion and areas for additional focus.

    Added on: 19 July 2010
    flooded town

  • The Selector - June 2010

    This month's newsletter features: Report published on community engagement and involvement in the Sustainable Communities Act; LGA Group annual conference; Local Spending Reports consultation ongoing; and CLG announce new powers on garden grabbing in line with SCA proposals

    Added on: 28 June 2010

  • The Selector - May 2010

    This month's newsletter features: 'New CLG ministerial team in place'; 'Government pledge to implement the Sustainable Communities Act'; 'Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill passed'; 'LGA Group annual conference'; and 'Local Spending Reports consultation ongoing'.

    Added on: 26 May 2010
    sustainable communities

  • The Selector - April 2010

    This month's newsletter features: 'CLG publish interim announcement on the Sustainable Communities Act', 'Minutes from SCA discussion panels published by CLG', 'Early Day Motion 1004', 'CLG launch website on Local Spending Reports and publish consultation document' and 'SCA Amendment Bill to progress to parliamentary wash up session'.

    Added on: 7 April 2010
    Cash, notes and cards

  • The Selector - March 2010

    This month's newsletter features: 'Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill progresses to committee stage', 'Government pledges support for allotments proposals', 'Progress on reaching a decision on shortlisted proposals' and 'How can you get involved?'

    Added on: 5 March 2010

  • Sustainable Communities Act (Amendment) Bill 2009

    There is currently parliamentary support for amendments to the Sustainable Communities Act as it currently stands through an amendment bill introduced by Alistair Burt MP.

    Added on: 21 January 2010
    Who's in Charge?

  • LGA submits hundreds of ideas from councils to make life better for local people

    We have submitted the shortlist under the first round of the Sustainable Communities Act to the Government. The Act, which seeks to provide councils, working closely with their communities, with an opportunity to submit proposals for changes to national rules and regulations. The LGA as Selector has considered all 301 proposals from 100 councils. We will be lobbying hard to make sure the Government agrees to as many proposals as possible before the forthcoming General Election.

    Added on: 15 March 2010
    SCA - shortlist of proposals made under round one

  • The Sustainable Communities Act: analysis of proposals submitted

    This report provides a thematic overview of the bids submitted to the LGA by English councils under the Sustainable Communities Act for England 2007 (SCA). It provides a snapshot of key patterns and trends emerging from the different types of local authorities in the nine English government regions.

    Added on: 21 December 2009
    Regional bodies in England and Wales

  • Sustainable communities act submitted proposals

    Full summaries have been published of the 300 proposals which were submitted by councils under the first round of the Sustainable Communities Act. The Act, which became law in October 2007, provides a framework for authorities to put forward ideas on how to improve the quality of life in their local areas but which require changes at a national level. Read our media release and find out more about the proposals.

    Added on: 30 October 2009

  • LGA briefing on the Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill

    There is currently parliamentary support for amendments to the Act as it currently stands through an amendment bill introduced by David Drew MP. The Bill is due for its second reading on 16th October 2009. This note outlines the key clauses of the Bill and the LGA position.

    Added on: 16 October 2009
    sustainable communities

  • Existing LGA lobbying on the SCA

    The act can be used for anything that requires a change at a national level and that you can prove has the support of, and will increase, the sustainability of your community. A selection of some of the changes we are currently pressing for and which we believe will benefit local government and sustainability are summarised here to give you some ideas for the scope of the act.

    Added on: 29 September 2009

  • Short-listing of proposals under the Sustainable Communities Act

    The LGA has been appointed as the Selector under the Sustainable Communities Act. This note outlines how the LGA will undertake this role and shortlist proposals under the terms of the act.

    Added on: 28 September 2009

  • Draft proposals log

    To support councils to share information and signpost ideas and proposals that may be being pursued under the act we have compiled a list of those councils that have placed drafts and ideas for consideration on their website.

    Added on: 2 July 2009

Newsletter

Useful links

  • Communities and Local Government - guide to the act The Act received Royal Assent on 23 October 2007. Its aim is to promote the sustainability of local communities. This guide describes the Act and what will happen next.

  • Office of Public Sector Information - text of the act Full text of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007.

  • Local Works Local Works is a coalition of over 90 national organisations and is campaigning to promote the use of the Sustainable Communities Act. Their website contains resources for councils and details of local meetings on the act.

  • Unlock Democracy Unlock Democracy was a key member of the Local Works coalition, which successfully campaigned for the Sustainable Communities Bill. Their website contains resources to promote the act.

  • New Local Government Network NGLN have published a paper - 'Sustainable Communities Act - the key that finally unlocks real local potential'.

  • Advice note on using the Act The Sustainable Communities Act provides a process by which communities, organisations and public bodies can, through their local council, propose changes at a national level to help deliver projects and work locally to support sustainability.

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