§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what targets have been set for the implementation of Agenda 21 strategies by local authorities; and how the progress of such strategies is being monitored. [151574]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Prime Minister set a challenge for local authorities to produce a Local Agenda 21 strategy by the end of 2000; over 90 per cent. of English local authorities have met this. Whether a local authority has produced a strategy in line with the Government's guidance will be tested formally via the Best Value performance indicators.
687WLocal authorities should now implement their Local Agenda 21 strategies in order to meet the objectives and targets they have set. With the introduction of Community Strategies, local authorities that have produced Local Agenda 21 strategies in line with the Government's guidance should have gone a long way towards developing effective partnership working, a long term vision for the area and the necessary implementation mechanisms, that they will require in preparing their Community Strategies.