§ Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in relation to inner city area policies, he will advise local authorities to implement the recommendations of the Skeffington Committee on people and planning when seeking to improve people's environmental conditions.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettPolicies and proposals to improve environmental conditions in structure and local plans are the subject of public participation at the formative stage of plan preparation. The Government's comments on the Skeffington Committee recommendations on the organisation of public participation on structure and local plans were sent to local authorities with Circular 52/72.
Public participation in connection with housing improvement has been strongly recommended since 1969. Guidance has been issued to local authorities particularly in Circulars 13/75 and 14/75. The importance of openness in the conduct of public business and good communications between local authorities and the people they serve was brought to the attention of all concerned with local authority affairs in Circular 45/75.
There is no doubt that local authorities need to work closely with people in inner areas, but it would be premature, in the light of the current review of inner city policy, to say what forms that should take.