§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what powers she has to impose Agenda 21, community renewable energy, and alternative energy strategies on local authorities; and what penalties may be exacted from local authorities which fail to produce such strategies in comformity with her guidance; [72046]
(2) what requirements are placed on (a) local authorities and (b) energy providers with regard to Agenda 21, community renewable energy, and alternative energy strategies. [72047]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 22 July 2002]: Part I of the Local Government Act 2000 placed a duty on English local authorities to prepare a community strategy. The delivery of improved long term economic, social and environmental quality of life, contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in the UK, lies at the heart of community strategies; indeed community strategies are required, by law, to promote sustainable development. The Government believes community strategies will promote the mainstreaming of sustainable development across local authorities' functions. Where they have effective and holistic Local Agenda 21 strategies, there may he good reasons for local authorities to continue to implement LA21. However, the Government feels that, in the long term, LA21 strategies will effectively be subsumed by community strategies. Whilst there are no requirements placed on local authorities to produce specific community renewable energy or alternative energy strategies, energy use, as an important element of sustainable development, can be considered as part of the community strategy process.
For energy providers, the Renewables Obligation under the Utilities Act 2000 requires all licensed electricity suppliers in Great Britain to supply a specified and growing proportion of their supplies from renewable energy in order to meet the Government's target that 10 per cent. of electricity sales will come from renewable sources by 2010.