CPRE has real concerns about the Government’s eco-town proposals. We strongly support the principles of ‘eco-development’, but we are concerned that too many of the proposed eco-towns will fall short of the high standards required. We are calling on the Government to focus on one or two truly exemplary schemes, scrap sub-standard proposals and rethink its eco-town programme. We want Hazel Blears to take on board local communities’ concerns about the eco-towns proposals and press for a Government rethink. We have prepared a letter for you to send, which you are welcome to amend. All you need to do is fill in your name and address, then press submit and your letter will be emailed to Hazel Blears.

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6 October 2008
© CPRE

Major regeneration projects in some of England’s biggest cities are unlikely to reach their potential if they rely on the government’s latest funding mechanisms, it was claimed this week. Core Cities Group and accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers conducted research focused on Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham and Sheffield to establish whether the new mechanisms are up to the job. They concluded that the community infrastructure levy (CIL) and business rate supplements (BRS) would struggle to generate enough revenue to fund essential infrastructure like transport, schools and hospitals. CIL is a development tax to raise cash for infrastructure schemes and will be introduced next year, while BRS will allow local authorities by 2010 to raise local supplements on the national business rate to finance economic development projects. In order for regeneration schemes to reach their potential, the group and PricewaterhouseCoopers believe two other funding tools should be introduced to support infrastructure.

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1 October 2008
© NewStart

Paul Bettison, Leader of Bracknell Forest Borough Council, has been appointed to chair the South East’s new Rural Board, established by SEEDA and other partners on behalf of the region. “I am delighted to join this new Rural Board, at a very important time for rural communities, businesses and our green spaces,” said Paul. “I am passionate about a strong rural economy, thriving rural communities and beautiful, healthy landscapes in the South East of England. I am really looking forward to making a difference, and to learning from stakeholders just what needs to be done in the South East to deliver the rural agenda.” As Chairman, Paul will lead the Board in identifying the key economic, social and environmental trends affecting the rural sector. He will lead the Board in identifying priority actions which will make a difference for businesses and communities. The Board will be supported by SEEDA, the South East England Development Agency, and GOSE, the Government Office for the South East. It replaces both the SEEDA-led Rural Advisory Committee and the GOSE-led SE Rural Partnership, and thereby streamlines and focuses regional arrangements. A new Rural Forum will work closely with the Board, strengthening current links between the rural sector and Local Authorities. The Forum will provide advice and intelligence about the rural issues to Community Strategies and Local Area Agreements. Paul will also use his direct access to government Ministers and other key partners at national and regional level to promote rural issues.

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22 September 2008
© SEEDA

Today in New York, the Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander, will launch the Global Business Call to Action Partnership. The BCTA was launched in May 2008, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme. The new Partnership will take forward the BCTA internationally to facilitate private sector activities in developing countries in a sustainable way that boosts economic development. Growth accounts for 80% of the poverty reduction achieved since 1980. Douglas Alexander said: “I am pleased that companies like Yara, Map International and Ericsson have joined the Business Call to Action. Business has a vital role to play in reducing poverty and the involvement of these companies in the Business Call to Action will help accelerate progress towards increasing growth in developing countries and meeting the MDGs by 2015. This is a crucial year for businesses, governments, non-governmental organizations, faith groups and citizens. The time has come to step up activity to meet the MDGs and ensure a safer, developed and more prosperous world.”

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25 September 2008
© Department For International Development (National)

emda is delivering the socio-economic elements of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE)2007 – 2013. Funded by Defra and the European Union, emda has approximately £60m available for projects in the East Midlands until 2013. RDPE will mainly target land-based businesses in the East Midlands including farmers, foresters, horticulturists. The criteria for projects to be eligible for grant funding includes: Adding value to agricultural, horticultural or forestry products – including the development of new products, processes and technologies; Improving co-operation and collaboration between businesses to improve efficiency – including infrastructure and equipment investments; Promoting diversification in the rural economy.

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24 September 2008
© emda

The annual gathering of the Development Trusts Association in Leeds on 15th September saw the launch of the important research findings ‘Bearing Fruit: Good Practice in Asset-Based Rural Community Development. The study examines the experiences of seven rural Development Trusts to ‘see what works’. Importantly, the report identifies 10 specific characteristics of successful initiatives and focuses on the attributes of the people who are the driving forces within the Trusts. Amazingly, these individuals shared a great many of these traits! This report will be an important talking point for the growing number of rural Development Trusts and social enterprises as more and more rural communities assume responsibilities for service delivery and the transfer of assets into community management. A copy of the report can be downloaded from: http://rural.carnegieuktrust.org.uk/files/rural/DTA-Bearing%20Fruit%20.pdf

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24 September 2008
© Carnegie UK

The Development Trusts Association has been given £1.3m to administer a new asset transfer unit, which will advise community organisations on how to take over assets from local authorities. Steve Wyler, director of the association , said he hoped the unit would be running by January. “It will provide practical advice and raise awareness across the whole of England, helping local communities take over underused or derelict land and buildings and achieve lasting public benefit,” he said.

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17 September 2008
© David Ainsworth, Third Sector Online

A new Economic Development Investment Plan was launched today by the three Regional Development Agencies in the South East of England to transform the Thames Gateway into a thriving business, research and innovation hub and a vibrant place to live.The investment programme was unveiled by the London Development Agency, East of England Development Agency and South East England Development Agency in partnership with the Department for Communities and Local Government. Building on existing investment in and around the Gateway, the programme  will  help underpin a growing knowledge economy in the Thames Gateway with higher value jobs and help build a more productive and  competitive region.  At the same time it will help people in the local communities benefit from new work opportunities.
 
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16 September 2008
© EEDA

A developer is being sought for the redevelopment of the former Vaux Brewery site in Sunderland. The scheme, led by urban regeneration company Sunderland arc, will be one of the North East’s largest employment-led regeneration projects. It was given outline planning approval by the Secretary of the State in March 2007. Sunderland arc and its partners Sunderland City Council, One NorthEast and English Partnerships are looking for a developer to bring a new business district to the city centre with new offices, homes and hotels. The Vaux site has also been earmarked for a new justice centre. David Walker, chief executive, Sunderland arc, said: “Together with our partners we are now in a prime position to regenerate this crucial site with an employment-led scheme which will maximise the regeneration of the Vaux site.
 
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12 September 2008
© One North East

The London 2012 Games must act as a catalyst to transform access for disabled people around the city, Mayor of London Boris Johnson said today. Speaking in Beijing ahead of the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games, Boris Johnson praised the achievements of Team GB’s Paralympic athletes and pledged to make London’s Games the most accessible ever. The Mayor said he would work with 2012 organisers and authorities across London to ensure the capital was doing everything possible to maximise not only access to the Games but access to the city’s many hotels, restaurants, nightspots and other leisure venues for generations to come.
 
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16 September 2008
© Mayor of London