The Egan Review: Rethinking Skills for Sustainable Communities

ODPM

April 2004
Code: 35230
ISBN: 1 85946 142 5
978 1 85946 142 6
108 pp
Paperback
£20.00

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In April 2003, Sir John Egan was asked by the Deputy Prime Minister to conduct a review to consider the skills needed to help deliver the vision and aims of the Sustainable Communities plan. This report, launched by Sir John Egan and the Deputy Prime Minister on 19th April 2004, presents the findings of this review and clarifies a definition of 'sustainable community' and supports this with a set of seven components which, together, constitute the common goal that all central and local government officers, service providers, communities, and the private and voluntary sectors should be working towards.

The findings of The Egan Review show that, to turn things around, a common goal is required. Delivering better communities requires not only the professional skills of planning, architecture and surveying, but also a broad range of generic skills, behaviour and knowledge such as governance of communities, economic planning for prosperity, communication, risk taking, and above all leadership and partnership working. This goal will not be simply or easily achieved and present a considerable challenge to all those involved. However, successful adoption of the recommendations outlined in The Egan Review, will assist all those who wish to ensure that future communities in England are truly sustainable.