www.eastdevon.gov.uk/the_knowledge_310513_issue_2.pdf
In the press
Grass verge wildlife ‘destroyed by councils’
Councils
in the UK are destroying wildlife habitats by cutting grass verges too often.
That is the warning from wildlife charity Plantlife who said verges support
hundreds of species of flowering plants and should be cut twice a year. But the
LGA said keeping verges shorter was safer for both drivers and pedestrians.
Cllr Mike Jones, Chair of the LGA’s
Environment
and Housing Board, said: “Keeping road verges well maintained ensures that
motorists have a good line of sight and allows pedestrians to walk more safely
alongside busy roads. It also prevents weeds and foreign species from spreading
into private gardens.”
High Street planning changes criticised by councils
The
revised planning rules that have come into force in England could lead to new
“clusters” of betting shops and money lenders, according to local councils. The
LGA warned the Government’s attempt to boost economic growth and revive high
streets could cause “lasting damage” to town centres. The changes will allow
shops to switch use without planning permission for the next two years. Cllr
Mike Jones, Chair of the LGA’s Environment and Housing Board, said: “We have
been clear that if we are to get people back out shopping in their local town
centres we need to give them more say on what type of businesses and shops open
there. Instead from today they will have less. This blanket national policy will
make it easier than ever for High Streets to become ghettos for clusters of
'here today, gone tomorrow' money lenders and betting shops." Cllr Jones
appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live and LGA Chairman Sir Merrick Cockell on BBC Radio
4’s Today programme to discuss the issue.
Events
Ø Tree Walk at Membury
Monday 3
June, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Learn
about the trees of Membury with the EDDC Tree Officers.
Free
event, but booking required; call the Countryside team on 01395 517557 or email
Countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk
A full programme of events at:
And this is from February 2011: www.eastdevon.gov.uk/the_knowledge_040211_issue_36.pdf
LG Knowledge
Ø Environmental
sustainability: compare renewables
As of
August 2010, local authorities can sell electricity to the national grid. This
has created opportunities for councils to generate sustainable energy, cut
energy costs, lower residents' fuel bills, create local jobs and reduce carbon
emissions. Access a new online resource from LG Improvement and Development
that is designed to help you decide which renewable energy technologies are
appropriate for your area. It includes information on how they work, costs,
timescales and local authority case studies.
Ø Going green – a radical
approach to local leadership
The
German city of Freiburg is one of Europe's fastest growing. It is also one of
the continent's leading eco-cities. Read an article by Professor Robin
Hambleton that shares the key lessons of how Freiburg has successfully tackled
climate change. Find out how it has built a community that is both energetic
and innovative in its green activism.
Next Localism
Ø Next Localism: Five trends
for the future of local government
New Local
Government Network (NLGN) is an independent think tank that seeks to transform
public services, revitalise local political leadership and empower local
communities. This report is part of its programme of research and innovative
policy projects, which it hopes will be of use to policy makers and
practitioners.
Local
government stands on the verge of immense change. Financially, the picture is
grim, as local public services face cuts on a scale not seen since the 1920s.
By 2015, council-owned leisure centres, museums and theatres could be a distant
memory, refuse collection will probably be cut to the bone and even social care
and education will start feeling pinched. But for all the bleakness of the
economic situation, there is also an opportunity for local government. The new
localism that NLGN has championed for the past decade aimed to convince
ministers to devolve more power to councils. Now that case has been
successfully made, localists need to reassess their agenda. This report aims to
kickstart that process.
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