The Sustainable Communities Act 2007 received Royal Assent on 23 October last year. To disseminate information on the duties and opportunities provided, we have:
published a guide to the Act in February 2008 which is available on the Communities and Local Government website;
appointed the Local Government Association as the Selector under the terms of the Act;
consulted on draft regulations and statutory guidance on the procedures to be followed in relation to proposals under section 2 of the Act. This consultation exercise ran from February 2008 ended in May 2008.
Following the consultation we intend to publish a response to consultation, publish final guidance—to be included in a package of statutory guidance for the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007—and make and lay the regulations shortly. We also intend to consult over the summer on local spending reports, which are required by section 6 of the Act. The first invitation to local authorities to submit proposals under the Act will be made by 23 October 2008.