Cllr Sarah Lunnon, Leader of the Green party group of District councillors who proposed the motion, said: "This Act gives Government a legal duty to assist Councils in promoting the sustainability of our communities. Government Minister Phil Woolas suggests it is one of the most important Acts in the last 40 years and claims it will change politics. This will be good for Stroud as we will be signing up to receive government's assistance in ways we can help define."

Cllr Martin Whiteside, the Green's Parliamentary candidate for Stroud, who seconded the motion said: "The economic downturn is having a huge impact on our local communities. Many of our local shops and businesses are being hit hard. This Act has the potential to give real powers to local people to protect and revive their areas. Greens have been disappointed that Conservatives have not signed up earlier to this move: already 77 other Councils are signed up. However it is very positive that the Tories now seem to be moving on this."

Martin Whiteside dismissed comments that it would lead to extra officer and admin costs by the Council saying: "There are still some unknowns about how the Act will work but the Government have made clear that any 'net additional costs of new policies are covered'. This means it should not impact on the Council Tax but instead bring money into the District for exciting local projects. I hope the delay in signing up will not mean Stroud misses out."

See Council Tax setting  comment by Sarah Lunnon at the same meeting:

Further information about the Act:

In November 2006 the Sustainable Communities Bill was introduced to Parliament as a Private Members Bill. It was sponsored in the House of Commons by Nick Hurd MP (Conservative, Ruislip-Northwood) and in the House of Lords by Lord Marlesford. The Bill became law with full cross party support on 23 October 2007 as the Sustainable Communities Act 2007. David Drew MP was instrumental in bringing this Act about along with Conservative MP Nick Hurd, Lib Dem Julia Goldsworthy and others like Green party leader Caroline Lucas MEP.

What is meant by 'Sustainable Communities'?

The definition of sustainable communities in the Act is deliberately broad. The Act defines the promotion of sustainable communities as any of the following 4 things:
1. Environmental, e.g. promoting local renewable energy, increasing recycling and protecting green spaces
2. Local economies, e.g. promoting local shops, local businesses and local jobs
3. Social inclusion, e.g. protecting local public services and alleviating fuel poverty and food poverty
4. Democratic involvement, e.g. increasing the ways local people can participate in local decision making and promoting new ways in which people can influence what happens locally