Letter to Sutton Press

Dear editor,

I was dismayed but hardly surprised to note this week that Carshalton High Street is soon to be blessed with another estate agent, which I think makes seven in our small local shopping parade, which also boasts several fast food joints. Now, I cannot believe that one single inhabitant of the area thinks that what Carshalton needs is another estate agent. It was over twenty years ago that the Green party first made the issue of sustainable local shops a key plank of our local manifestos, calling for local authorities to be given the power to set a sliding scale of business rates to favour community-friendly retailers; the need for something of this kind is even more urgent today with the serial decline of post offices, local food retailers, and other 'proper' neighbourhood facilities. The Sustainable Communities Bill, promoted by a range of green groups including the Green party but with cross party support, is making its way through Parliament as a private members' Bill. It will if passed give local councils the sort of powers we have long been calling for. Readers can find more information by logging on to www.localworks.org

Sincerely

Bob Steel

Sutton Green party