Local Works is a UK coalition of over 120 national organisations campaigning to promote the use of the Sustainable Communities Act. Originally set up by the new economics foundation

New Economics Foundation

The New Economics Foundation is a British think-tank.NEF was founded in 1986 by the leaders of The Other Economic Summit with the aim of working for a "new model of wealth creation, based on equality, diversity and economic stability"....

, the Local Works coalition was formed in 2002 with the sole aim of campaigning to see the Sustainable Communities Bill made law.

Local Works ran an effective operation in support of the Bill, including a parliamentary Early Day Motion signed by 363 MPs, showing cross-party support. It was taken up as a Private Members Bill by Nick Hurd, Conservative MP for Ruislip-Northwood, when he won the Private Members Bill ballot in 2006. During its parliamentary passage, the Bill (in an amended form) gained support of the government, and Phil Woolas as the then Local Government Minister.

It was successful in this campaign when the Sustainable Communities Act was passed by the UK Parliament in October 2007 with the support of all political parties in Parliament at that time. Since then Local Works, as a part of Unlock Democracy

Unlock Democracy

Unlock Democracy is a UK pressure group, based in Islington, in London. The organisation campaigns for a more participatory democracy in the UK, founded upon a written constitution. Unlock Democracy works to promote democratic reform across the political spectrum and is not aligned with any...

, has been promoting the Act and urging people to get involved and government to implement it properly.

Purpose and Aims of the Sustainable Communities Act

The Sustainable Communities Act 2007 gives an opportunity for councils and communities to put forward new thinking on how to meet the challenges of sustainability and local wellbeing. It starts from the principle that local people know best what needs to be done to promote the sustainability of their area, but that sometimes they need central government to act to enable them to do so. It provides a channel for local people and the councils which represent them to ask central government to take such action.

The Sustainable Communities Act is a piece of legislation that aims to reverse the trend called 'Ghost Town Britain'. Ghost Town Britain refers to the ongoing community decline through loss of local facilities and services including amongst others: shops, markets, post offices, pubs, banks and health centres. The term 'Ghost Town Britain' was initially coined by the British think-tank New Economics Foundation in two reports: Ghost Town Britain (2002) and Clone Town Britain (2004).

The Amendment Campaign

In November 2009 Local Works successfully saw the Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill introduced into the UK Parliament as a Private Members' Bill. The Sustainable Communities Act 2007 was amended in 2010 when the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 (Amendment) Act passed through Parliament and became law on 6th April 2010.
The Amendment was necessary to ensure:

• A ‘rolling list’ of community/council suggestions for government action is presented to the Secretary of State (SoS) for her/him to decide on in cooperation with (i.e. not just consultation) the Local Government Association.
• Involvement of citizens by enabling them to petition for a referendum on issues if their council refuses to use the Act.
• Inclusion of parish and town councils. As town councils are technically and legally part of the parish council domain, there was therefore no need to put the term “town council” in the original bill.

Supporting Coalitions

1. Age Concern and Help the Aged (now Age UK)
2. Women's Institute
3. FSB – Federation of Small Businesses
4. NCVO - National Council for Voluntary Organisations
5. NFSP - National Federation of Sub-Postmasters
6. PCS - Public and Commercial Services Union
7. UNISON
8. Unlock Democracy
9. Woodland Trust
10. Communication Workers Union
11. Co-operative Group
12. Friends of the Earth
13. Greenpeace
14. NALC - National Association of Local Councils
15. Shelter
16. Soil Association
17. The Big Issue
18. The Law Society
19. The Ramblers
20. Citizens Advice
21. Police Federation of England & Wales
22. Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales
23. RNIB
24. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)
25. Association of Convenience Stores
26. CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale
27. Environmental Law Foundation
28. LGIU - Local Government Information Unit
29. NFRN - National Federation of Retail Newsagents
30. SIBA - The Society of Independent Brewers
31. Campaign for Better Transport (formerly Transport 2000)
32. CPRE - Campaign for the Protection of Rural England
33. Country Land and Business Association
34. Countryside Alliance
35. CTC - The National Cyclists Organisation
36. Equality and Human Rights Commission
37. Garden Organic
38. Liberal Democrat Party
39. Living Streets
40. NEA - National Energy Action