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Do local authorities have the legal powers?

Cutting through the Green Tape, published by the Local Government Association, identifies numerous powers which councils can use to tackle climate change.

The key powers are:

  • Wellbeing powers
  • Powers to change own estate and operations
  • Community leadership powers
  • Powers to involve local people
  • Joint working powers
  • Planning powers
  • Transport powers
  • Housing powers
  • Financial powers
  • Emergency planning powers
  • Environmental protection powers
  • Powers under the Sustainable Communities Act
  • Subsidiary powers

Cutting through the Green Tape includes numerous examples of how the powers have been used to tackle climate change.

The LGA´s Powerpack explains when and how the Wellbeing power may be used. In 2006 Impetus Consulting Ltd undertook research into Local Authority Legal Powers to promote Sustainable Energy for the Pilkington Energy Efficiency Trust. Impetus Consulting's report includes several examples of how local authorities have used the well-being power to support sustainable energy projects.

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