The days of cheap oil and stable food prices are now over. Banking, energy and food security have become major issues over the past year for everyone. The Sustainable Communities Act was passed by Parliament in October 2007 and is being implemented this year in England and Wales, though funding for projects will not be available until 2009-2010. This law began life as a private members bill developed by more than 80 voluntary and community organisations. To implement the act, local authorities have responsibility to consult communities and put forward creative plans to achieve Sustainable Communities outcomes. The Schedule in the new legislation suggests a range of projects and framework indicators, including those to:
Increase local food production within 30 miles of the boundary of a public body
Extend the quantity of renewable energy inside a 50 mile radius of a region
Install insulation and retrofit measures to buildings to decrease greenhouse gas emissions
Increase local service provision in relation to banks, affordable housing, health and leisure facilities
Deploy measures to increase mutual aid initiatives within communities
Increase public procurement to secure a greater volume of goods and services produced within 30 miles of the boundary of a public body.
This conference will focus on rural solutions to achieving Sustainable Communities and include examples of positive and practical ventures in Wales, England and other areas of the EU and North America. Speakers and Workshops will focus on social and local enterprises in the fields of food, energy, finance and much more. The event has been sponsored by ESRC and the Spirit Fund to enable costs to be kept low for attendees from the voluntary and community sector.
A PDF version of the conference programme and booking form is available. There are also an on-line conference programme and an on-line conference booking form.
