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Councils are already seizing the initiative to use new legislation to help their communities. Windsor and Maidenhead RBC is lobbying to use the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 to take over local fire and rescue service. The council has stepped in as a direct result of residents' opposition to plans by the Berkshire Fire Authority to close Windsor fire station at night, leaving cover to be provided from nearby Slough. A poll on behalf of the council showed 65% of residents wanted a local service, and 66% of those wanted the council to run it. The council also wants to take control of information, brokerage and diagnosis (IBD) services from Business Link, currently under contract to SEEDA. This follows concerns by small businesses in the area about the quality of current IBD services. The Act was designed to enable councils to get central government to change local responsibilities – and crucially spending decisions – without the need for new laws. It covers areas such as economic, environmental and social issues, where local residents have called for change. With demand on services increasing, more councils are likely to step in, particularly if there is cross-party agreement. Andrew Elkington, the council's head of policy and performance, said: ‘The SCA is all about changing the way services are provided to empower councils and communities, and to improve quality of life and wellbeing in their areas. ‘The borough has taken the lead from our community on these two proposals and we have cross-party agreement for submitting them to the LGA.' The LGA is the selector of submissions to go forward to communities secretary, John Denham, for consideration in the early autumn.

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WHITEHALL

Sustainable Communities Act inspires wellbeing bid

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