The Environment Council today welcomed the government's new draft strategy for consultation which aims to give people in every local authority area a greater say on how public money is spent by 2012.

In a major speech on empowering communities Communities Secretary Hazel Blears called on local authorities, community groups and the public to give their views on expanding plans for participatory budgeting across Whitehall including policing, health and youth services giving people a greater say over the issues they most care about. Ideas will be developed through the forthcoming community empowerment white paper in the summer. 

The second online issue of Elements is now live: Elements.

Following on from our last theme of Climate Change, we have chosen to focus on ‘Carbon’ for the new issue. Along with IMS Marketing Communications Group Plc we have found a wide selection of contributors to share diverse opinions and embark on some hotly debated subjects.

From nuclear power to carbon offsetting, we have covered a variety of carbon related issues – with a sprinkling of articles following some wider topics surrounding sustainability.

Do you have responsibilities for place-shaping or environmental services within a local authority, or work in partnership with those who do? Are you a member of a local strategic partnership or a representative from: local, regional and central government, a private or non-governmental organisation, or a national body?