Local councils establish environmental priorities

Every local council in England has recently established, along with the central government, a Local Area Agreement (LAA) that sets forth the main environmental issues it will tackle over the next three years.

Cutting CO2 emissions is a priority for 67 per cent of councils, including Durham, Islington and Dorset. Street cleanliness featured as a concern for 48 per cent of local authorities and is one of London's top concerns. Bristol and the Isles of Scilly are among 37 per cent of areas that will be prioritising a plan to adapt to climate change.

Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, said: "These new local priorities mean that councils and their partners can concentrate their efforts on the specific needs of the local people they serve. The prizes are enormous: better, more locally relevant public services, a higher quality of life and ultimately more prosperity in communities across the country."

The progress of these new initiatives will be followed by independent auditors and will be openly published for the public. Information will be made available to all constituencies about the environmental priorities in every area of England through www.localpriorities.communities.gov.uk . Local people can, therefore, follow the progress of their local authorities and service providers, enabling them to identify any areas that need improvement.