Being able to sell fruit and vegetables grown on local allotments is now a step closer following the shortlist of proposals submitted under the Sustainable Communities Act to the Secretary of State.
 
Eight of Brighton and Hove council’s nine proposals submitted last year have been forwarded for consideration by the Minister.  Negotiations will now take place between the LGA (Local Government Association) and Government to agree on which proposals to implement.
 
The eight shortlisted proposals are:
·         That the council is given the power to offer discretionary business rate relief to encourage and sustain small and medium local businesses
·         That legislation is changed to allow allotment holders to sell their surplus produce to local businesses
·         That national planning policy, specifically planning policy statement 1 is changed to explicitly support localised food systems
·         That the legal restriction that prevents councils which own housing to borrow against the Housing Revenue Account (rent) is removed.
·         That legislation is amended to release existing and accumulated capital receipts from the sale of council housing to councils to build new affordable housing or invest in existing affordable housing
·         That the installation and use of renewable energy by households is made more accessible and affordable
·         That the council is given the power to set vehicle speed limits on public roads at any maximum below existing regulations, according to local needs
·         That legislation is introduced that requires supermarkets – to reduce their use of food packing that is non-recyclable; to provide recycling facilities for plastic not recycled by the council; to ensure that the plastic is recycled or, where this is not practicable, to bear the cost of treating it as landfill waste.
 
Cllr Dee Simson, Brighton & Hove City Council’s cabinet member for community affairs, said:
“Having eight of our nine suggestions shortlisted demonstrates just how much the Sustainable Communities Act will be a real benefit to our city.  Each of these proposals offers a helping hand locally; whether it’s the chance to sell your locally grown fruit and veg, the possibility for the council to offer business rate relief or one of the other proposals, we’re keen to start moving forward. Let’s hope that the next stage of negotiations moves swiftly on.”
 
Brighton & Hove City Council submitted nine proposals to the LGA in summer last year.  The only proposal to have been excluded was that food growing is introduced as part of the national curriculum.  The selection panel stated that as food growing is not prohibited in the national curriculum, it didn’t require Government assistance.
 
The Sustainable Communities Act places a legal duty on national Government to "assist local authorities in promoting the sustainability of local communities."

For more information about Brighton and Hove Council view:
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk