HOW should national government work to improve life in East Devon? You can have your say so long as you respond to a public consultation before Monday, June 22.

HOW should national government work to improve life in East Devon?You can have your say - so long as you respond to a public consultation before Monday, June 22.There are only two weeks left for East Devon residents and organisations to put forward their ideas.East Devon District Council is asking for your proposals following the introduction of the Sustainable Communities Act. This new Act aims to divert power and funding from central government and pass it to councils and local people, giving them an opportunity to have a say in improving their communities. A council spokesperson said: "The proposals can really make a difference as they could lead to action in central government, such as a change in legislation, a transfer of responsibilities from one public body to another, a new national policy, or a change or strengthening of an existing policy."Your ideas can be about the economic, social or environmental well-being of the area - or be about promoting participation in civic or political activity. "This means proposals could be about a wide variety of topics including affordable housing, road traffic, recycling, organic food production, local jobs, community projects, community health or planning policy." All proposals must be submitted to East Devon District Council by the deadline. Proposals will be put before a panel of local people to be discussed and shortlisted. The shortlisted proposals will be sent to the Local Government Association (LGA) at the end of July. The LGA will then discuss them with the Secretary of State, who has the final say on which proposals will be implemented nationally.Proposals may be submitted by filling in an online form on the council's website, www.eastdevon.gov.uk/sustainablecommunitiesact, or by calling the communications team at Knowle on (01395) 517569 and asking for a paper copy of the form to be posted out to you.