Conservatives call for 'cost-effective' action on poverty, health and transport from district council

East Devon District Council's Conservative Group has called on the new administration of the council to urgently put forward cost-effective proposals on Poverty, Public Health and Transportation, such as providing electric vehicle charge points in all car parks.

The group, led by councillor Andrew Moulding, supports the United Nations goals for sustainable Development (SDGs) which are an urgent call for action by all countries to end poverty and other deprivations to improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change.

According to councillor Moulding, the previous Conservative administration put sustainable development as the one of the "Golden threads" which conditioned all planning decisions in law through their Local Plan. Councillor Moulding said: "While it is very clear that with a growing population in East Devon we need more homes and better paid jobs, this must not be at the expense of the things that make our area so special."

The Local Government Association has issued a key guide showing that local councils are responsible for 65 out of 169 targets. Sir Richard Leese, chair of the LGA's City Regions Board, said: 'Local government can play a key role in driving a sustainable recovery that meets the needs of local communities and businesses.

"The SDGs provide a guide to rebuilding our economies in a resilient and sustainable way, focusing on creating good lives on a healthy planet for all people."

The 17 goals and their 169 accompanying targets, agreed by all UN member states in 2015, represent the world's most broad, ambitious and comprehensive agreement on sustainable development to date.

This means increasing and spreading prosperity around the globe, combined with ending social injustice and poverty, and improving health and wellbeing, all while protecting the environment – including the climate and biodiversity – for current and future generations.