Comment on charter This clear statement on the democratic deficit is very important. Citizens are not parochial by-standers in the triple crisis of inequality-wellbeing-environment. To tackle these strategic problems the public needs to be engaged with law-making and development decisions at all tiers of government. This is necessary for democratic legitimacy, and more practically it is needed to develop evidence and act in a coordinated manner across the country.

I fully support these aims. In my view we need a community led planning system fit for the 21st century

I’m a former city councillor, and know from experience how residents feel when they don’t have any control over what is build in their local community. The government’s reforms go in the wrong direction on this front. This charter is an important way of demonstrating that there are many people and organisations who are concerned.