Sustainable development can be described as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” is a principle which is signed up and endorsed by all.
Under the Local Government Act 2000 Council’s have been charged with “promoting the social, economic and environmental well-being of their area” (which can be interpreted as SD) and producing community strategies which “contribute to the achievement of sustainable development in the UK”. In essence everything a Council does should assist in the delivery of a more sustainable Wales.
As community leaders and being responsible for such a broad range of services local authorities are best placed to lead on the SD agenda and illustrate to other agencies and their partners what SD looks like in practice.