PRESS RELEASE: MPS to consider Civic Voice manifesto at Parliamentary event

The Civic Voice manifesto, Localism for Real is to be launched at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies on February 11th. 

Laura Sandys MP, Chair of the APPG for Civic Societies said “The Civic Voice manifesto ’Localism for Real’ puts power back into the hands of communities. I look forward to hosting the launch of the manifesto and debating the contents with politicians and communities over the next few months”.

To achieve “Localism for Real”, the manifesto (http://www.civicvoice.org.uk/manifesto) calls on future Governments to:

  • Make improving the quality of the public realm in our cities, towns and villages a priority
  • Give all citizens opportunities to actively shape the future of their place
  • Give local communities the powers they need to enable their town and city centres to prosper

Chair of Civic Voice, Freddie Gick said “If the Government is serious about Localism, they have to listen to the concerns coming forward from civic groups, resident associations and local councils. The Civic Movement agrees with the Government that getting the economy moving is essential, but the proposals we have had so far do not add up to an adequate, coherent overall policy. Civic Voice members should now contact their MPs and encourage them to attend the event. Use the link on our website here to inform your MP.”

The launch takes place in the Palace of Westminster and is open to MPs and all Civic Voice members to attend. Registration is available here.

The event will also see the launch of “Collaborative Planning for All” a new publication aimed at strengthening the community participation provisions in the National Planning Policy Framework.


NOTES FOR EDITORS

Civic Voice works to make the places where everyone lives more attractive, enjoyable and distinctive. We are the national charity for the civic movement and speak on behalf of civic societies and local communities across England. In promoting civic pride we believe everyone has the right to live somewhere they can be proud of and through our strong local presence all over England we are closely in touch with how people feel about where they live. Civic societies are the most numerous participants in the planning system. Since its launch in April 2010 Civic Voice has been joined by 290 civic societies with more than 75,000 individual members. Further information is available at http://www.civicvoice.org.uk including how to join Civic Voice (£10 individuals) and contact details for local civic societies. More information on Civic Voice’s manifesto campaign is available on our website here http://www.civicvoice.org.uk/manifesto

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Ian Harvey, 07877096968 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)