Deputy prime minister John Prescott has announced the initial line up of international speakers who will be at the Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in the New Year. Prescott said: "This event has attracted some of the best expert speakers from the UK and overseas, including Mercedes Bresso, MEP and former president of Turin, John Norquist and Norman Rice from the USA, Sir Peter Hall, director of community studies and councillor Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council." The Summit, hosted by the deputy prime minister and supported by senior government ministers, will be a forum for key stakeholders to discuss the progress of the Communities Plan. It will be held in Manchester from January 31 to February 2.