Action Briefing Apr 2004 - May 2004
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

Local Sustainability Bill update

As I reported in the last issue of Action Briefing, the Local Sustainability Bill is about achieving local sustainability strategies for jobs and services, environmental protection, social inclusion and political justice, and getting the Government to commit to implementing these strategies.

The Bill enables, rather than imposes upon, local government. And it’s supported by numerous and wide-ranging organisations as well as by MPs from all the major parties.

First, I should point out that it has been renamed the Sustainable Communities Bill. I am not sure why, though it might be an attempt to counter the government’s hijacking of our terminology. To central government “Sustainable Communities”, as in “Plan”, currently means “new build with double glazing and double garage on Greenbelt land in the overcrowded south east while demolishing perfectly good houses anywhere north of Milton Keynes”, which is not quite what we had in mind.

Secondly, bearing this in mind, if you haven’t yet written to or rung your MP to see if they will support the Bill, then you can still do so. Just to confuse you a bit more, your MP will most likely know the Bill as Early Day Motion 169. If you have internet access you can find it at http://edm.ais.co.uk/, where you can also find out which MPs have signed it.* Alternatively, you can ring me or write to me at the Warehouse (0121 632 6909, 54 Allison St., Digbeth, B5 5TH) and I will happily check for you.

Thirdly, we are still hoping to have a public meeting and I will make sure those of you who have expressed an interest are kept informed. We’re currently seeking advice from some experienced and supportive contacts within the Council, and we would like to put together a steering group for the Birmingham campaign, to involve various other organisations. This group will meet in due course to discuss tactics.

In the meantime if you’re very enthused and want to suggest how we can move further and faster, get in touch and let’s enthuse each other!

Karen Leach

*Two Birmingham MPs have signed so far, Lynne Jones and Roger Godsiff. Ministers such as Clare Short can’t sign EDMs, but they can tell you whether or not they support it's aims.