Dorset Community Strategy - sustainability assessment · Will the Sustainable Community Strategy...

Will the Sustainable Community Strategy for Dorset help the county meet its sustainability challenges?

A sustainability commentary on Dorset’s draft Sustainable Community Strategy based on the recently updated South West Regional

Sustainable Development Framework

March 2007

Prepared by Sustainability South West – the region’s

independent champion of sustainable development

Contents Section 1 Introduction to report Page 3 Section 2 Introducing Sustainability and Sustainable Development Page 4 Section 3 Overview of national context Page 5 Section 4 Overview of regional context Page 6 Section 5 The opportunity for delivering Sustainable Development in Page 8

partnership through a Sustainable Community Strategy Section 6 Key cross cutting theme recommendations Page 10 Section 7 Overarching recommendations to support the delivery of Page 12

sustainability through the community strategy Section 8 Theme specific commentary Page 13 Section 9 Overarching conclusions from the sustainability commentary Page 24 Annex 1 RSDF sustainability principles Page 25 Annex 2 Sustainability appraisal workshop note Page 26 Annex 3 Sustainability workshop agenda Page 28 Annex 4 Collated feedback from workshop Exercise 2 Page 29 Annex 5 Collated feedback from workshop Exercise 3 Page 32 Annex 6 Detailed theme specific commentary Page 36 Annex 7 Environmental limits explained Page 67

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Section 1 INTRODUCTION TO REPORT Background to report and Sustainability South West

1.1 Sustainability South West (SSW) is the region’s independent champion of sustainable development. SSW has been given a mandate from DEFRA to help local authorities embed sustainability into their Community Strategy’s, Local Area Agreements and through Local Strategic Partnerships. Dorset County Council (DCC) has commissioned SSW to undertake a sustainability assessment of Dorset’s draft sustainable community strategy. 1.2 This sustainability assessment report aims to equip DCC officials and members of the Dorset Strategic Partnership (DSP) with strategic and practical ideas for strengthening the draft Sustainable Community Strategy so it can meet the county’s sustainability challenges. The report also provides an up to date overview of relevant sustainability policy and guidance. 1.3 This assessment has involved SSW facilitating a sustainability workshop with theme lead officers and available members of the DSP. The workshop enabled participants to explore their understanding of sustainability and assess how compatible (in sustainability terms) the draft Community Strategy’s key outcomes are across the priority themes. Workshop participants completed a number of interactive exercises and their work has been analysed and where appropriate integrated into the report. 1.4 Workshop feedback has been accompanied by desk based research to form on overarching sustainability commentary of the draft Community Strategy. The sustainability commentary is based on the recently updated South West Regional Sustainable Development Framework – the Sustainability Shaper (see www.shapersw.net) – which houses the region’s sustainability Mission and Principles and is its commonly agreed sustainability reference point. In particular, the sustainability principles (see Annex 1) have been used as a key reference point in testing the sustainability of the draft strategy and in informing our recommendations. This high level commentary seeks to highlight key sustainability challenges and opportunities, providing a series of recommendations. SSW has used the strategy’s theme outcomes as the overarching reference point. In some instances more detailed assessment work may be required. Report recommendations

1.5 As above, the reports contains a series of practical and strategic recommendations and are grouped as follows: • Cross-cutting theme recommendations (Section 6) should be given priority by theme leads and

DSP members when revising the draft Community strategy. Their cross cutting nature should help embed consist sustainability policy throughout the strategy’s themes and maximise sustainable outcomes.

• The Overarching recommendations (Section 7) aim to support the wider delivery of sustainable

development through the Community Strategy. They are particularly relevant to DSP members and the County Council’s Cabinet and concentrate on leadership for sustainability.

• Overarching theme specific commentary (Section 8) is designed for theme leads and should be

given priority when revising key outcomes of the community strategy. A series of further, detailed theme specific recommendations are contained in Annex 6.

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Section 2 INTRODUCING SUSTAINABILITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Our starting point for the sustainability commentary must be to clearly identify what we mean by sustainable development. This underpins all our subsequent recommendations and commentary. SSW uses the following definitions of sustainable development and sustainability because we believe these encapsulate up to date thinking in a simple and easy to understand manner: • SSW believes that sustainable development is a positive and practical approach which

delivers win-win-win outcomes for the economy, society and environment. • Sustainability is about the survival of people and

the planet into the future. It does not privilege the environment over human beings, but recognises our dependence on natural resources and biodiversity for our own survival. The diagram helps illustrate the interdependent spheres of the economy, society and environment.

• If something is sustainable we can go on doing it indefinitely, if it isn't we can't. Jonathon Porritt, Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission and President of SSW Sustainability is…

Source: SSW’s Sightings news-magazines

Sustainability is…

… taking the kids to the farmers’ market

Sustainability is…

… turning the light off when you no longer need it!

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Section 3 OVERVIEW OF NATIONAL CONTEXT Statutory Context

3.1 The Local Government Act 2000 requires every local authority to prepare a community strategy for promoting or improving the economic, social and environmental well-being of their area and contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom. 3.2 Since the imposition of this duty there has been a number of key developments in national and regional policies, to which the Sustainable Community Strategy must pay regard and which help to determine its delivery. Subsequent government guidance has required these strategies to be developed by a Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) and has stressed the importance of these community strategies reflecting the need to achieve sustainable communities. The most important of these are summarised below. National Context

3.3 The national sustainable development strategy, Securing the Future, was released in March 2005. Within this the Rt Hon Tony Blair MP, Prime Minister states: ‘We have spent a long time getting to grips with sustainability. I want to declare a moratorium on further words. I want this new strategy to be a catalyst for action to secure our future.’

3.4 Securing the Future highlights that ‘the goal of sustainable development is to enable all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life, without compromising the quality of future generations‘. 3.5 This strategy identifies a hierarchy of five new guiding principles along with four priorities for urgent action:

Regional Context

Living Within Environmental

Limits

Ensuring a Strong, Healthy

and Just Society

Achieving a Sustainable

Economy

Promoting Good

Governance

Using Sound Science

Responsibly

• Sustainable consumption and production • Climate Change and Energy • Natural Resources Protection and Environmental Enhancement • Sustainable Communities

The five national sustainable development principles:

The four priorities for immediate action are:

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Section 4 OVERVIEW OF REGIONAL CONTEXT 4.1 The strategies listed in Section 4 have been identified as having a critical role in supporting sustainable development in the South West. 4.2 The Regional Sustainable Development Framework (RSDF)

The RSDF, otherwise known as the Sustainability Shaper, provides a stand alone framework against which the sustainability of all regional and sub-regional strategies can be assessed. 4.2.1 The Sustainability Mission is: “People in the South West of England choose to live, work & prosper within environmental limits, pursuing justice and well-being and valuing diversity & distinctiveness.” 4.2.2 Principles To achieve the Mission a set of practical sustainability ‘operating principles’ have been developed. These 10 cross cutting principles reflect the UK’s sustainable development strategy’s national guiding principles (as above). They address key environmental, social and economic issues and have been used as a key reference point in testing the sustainability of the draft strategy and in informing our recommendations. A key recommendation from our commentary (see section 6) is that these sustainability principles be applied in revising the community strategy and in delivering the key outcomes in the longer term.

4.3 Sustainable communities

The Sustainability Shaper (or RSDF) contains resources for specific topic areas including those for sustainable communities. This resource includes a definition of a genuinely sustainable community as one which is healthy, socially just, productive and living within environmental limits. We consider this definition integrates the now Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG, previously ODPM) sustainable communities definition with the principles of the national Sustainable Development Strategy, Securing the Future. Government Office for the South West, in discussions with SSW, has confirmed that key components of a sustainable community are: • a low carbon, resource efficient approach to service delivery • a vibrant, low carbon, resource efficient economy which meets local job needs • sustainably constructed (or regenerated) affordable housing • extensive use of locally-generated micro renewables and Combined Heat and Power • local sourcing of goods and services • a preventative approach to health & well-being and social care • a well connected and accessible 'green infrastructure' supporting biodiversity and well-being

It is recommended that the definition and components of a sustainable community are recognised as the ultimate goal of the strategy and incorporated into its re-draft see Section 6.

Develop sustainability learning and skills Improve physical and mental well-being

Improve equality in meeting basic needs Be resource wise

Support thriving low carbon economies Reduce high carbon travel

Use local and ethical goods & services diversity Enhance local distinctiveness & diversity

Help everyone to join in public decision making Take a long term approach

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4.4 South West Key sustainability challenges

The region’s key sustainability challenge is to reduce inequalities, manage our growing and ageing population and enhance our natural and man made environment, whilst reducing our eco-footprint. The regional response to the review of the national sustainable development strategy, Taking It On (2004) identified four priorities for action within the region: • Manage a growing and ageing population in the most sustainable way. • Provide more affordable, sustainably sited and constructed housing. • Reduce the need to travel/distances travelled (and associated CO2 emissions) to

access goods and services by residents and visitors. • Sustainably manage our natural and cultural resources (examples include libraries,

museums and historic environment etc.), whilst adapting to climate change. In taking these priorities forward, Taking It On identified that investment in sustainability leadership, learning, skills and innovation was paramount.

4.5 Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)

The RSS sets out a framework for ‘where things go’ and what the scale of development should be, linking issues such as healthcare and education, as well as basic infrastructure such as transport. The following over-arching ‘sustainability principles’ have been incorporated into the draft RSS with the intention that these guide related policy and developments: • Stabilise and reduce the region’s eco-footprint, eg by promoting sustainable construction as the norm in all future development; • Seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change, eg by adopting a carbon reduction target and ensuring large scale developments are carbon neutral; • Protecting natural resources and enhancing the environment, eg by ensuring that development respects landscapes and ecological thresholds; • Managing development positively to create/maintain sustainable communities eg by: o Making affordable housing available for all residents; o Providing networks of accessible green spaces. 4.6 Regional Economic Strategy (RES)

The revised RES’s statement of intent offers an improved understanding of the meaning of genuinely sustainable economic development that ‘economic growth can be secured within environmental limits to bring prosperity to the region.’ 4.7 Environmental limits

Nationally, through the sustainable development strategy, Securing the Future, and increasingly, through regional policy (see above), an ambition to live and work within ‘environmental limits’ is being adopted. Although defining ‘environmental limits’ represents a significant challenge, mechanisms are evolving to enable us to map our environmental impact and consider if we are exceeding our fair share of natural resources. For a fuller explanation of environmental limits see Annex 7. The South West’s eco-footprint shows that if the region’s consumption patterns were replicated worldwide we would need two extra planets to sustain us. We are currently consuming about 3 planet’s worth of natural resources. Consequently, a shift is needed towards ‘one planet’, lower consumption lifestyles which are more resource efficient. This national and regional context describes the setting into which the Dorset Sustainable Community Strategy must deliver.

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Section 5 THE OPPORTUNITY FOR DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN PARTNERSHIP THROUGH A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY STRATEGY 5.1 Despite a strong policy lead in a plethora of government policies and guidance, many short-term requirements of government pay no regard to sustainable development and offer little encouragement or reward to partners to take the principles of sustainable development into account in their day to day activities. Notwithstanding this, it is clear that the Dorset Strategic Partnership has an obligation to address this challenging issue. SSW believes that the Dorset Strategic Partnerships is in the vanguard of the imperative to achieve sustainable development and the Sustainable Community Strategy is the key document to set the tone for the County and its future. 5.2 The development of the Sustainable Community Strategy represents a key opportunity for achieving sustainable development in Dorset. Government guidance makes clear it is also a key document, along with district community strategies, for influencing the Local Development Frameworks. SSW believes that an ambition to achieve sustainable development should be placed at the heart of the strategy and sustainability principles applied to its delivery – our overarching recommendations are made in Section 7. 5.3 To meet this challenge and realise this opportunity it will be important to address the following key areas: 5.3.1 Integration

Adopting a genuinely integrated approach is the only way to deliver sustainable development. This means more than taking ‘a balanced approach’ between social, economic and environmental factors. It means understanding why and how to deliver activities in a mutually supportive way that achieves social and economic goals within environmental limits. 5.3.2 Leadership and Partnership Working

In agreeing the Sustainable Community Strategy, the Dorset Strategic Partnership must demonstrate strong local leadership and effective partnership working. Local authorities and their partners, through LSP’s, are pivotal to delivering sustainable communities. Making the vision of sustainable communities a reality at the local level means […] supporting strong local leadership and developing the right skills and knowledge Chapter 7 – Ensuring it Happens – Securing the Future The imperative of achieving a more sustainable approach needs to be instilled within all partner organisations, alongside the acquisition of key management skills to deliver effective leadership and partnership working. SSW cannot emphasise too strongly the importance of partners working together to acquire and develop these skills. For partnership working to be truly effective we need to be sure that these skills are acquired.

5.3.3 Changing Behaviours

Essentially, the delivery of sustainability will require all of us as partners and individuals to change the way we go about our day to day lives. The principles of sustainable development must influence in a holistic way all our strategic, operational and day to day decision-making in a way that simply is not happening at the moment. The Sustainable Community Strategy should be seen as an important tool to influence both organisations and individuals to change their behaviour in response to the sustainability agenda and the identified priorities within the strategy.

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Changing Behaviour

Enable

Engage Encourage

Exemplify

The contribution that exemplar organisations can make to this process should not be underestimated. Active promotion of the ‘Enable, Encourage, Engage, Exemplify’ model is a positive way to this. Source: Securing the Future, March 2005

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Section 6 KEY CROSS CUTTING THEME RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations cut across the draft Sustainable Community Strategy’s themes and their implementation should help embed consistent sustainability policy throughout the strategy and maximise opportunities for sustainable outcomes. Generally we believe there is scope for the strategy to be more ambitious and the recommendations support an increasingly proactive approach. They should be given priority by theme leads and DSP members when revising the draft Community strategy. Undertaking the following recommendations will help support a range of the aforementioned RSDF principles – the relevant principles are illustrated next to each recommendation. 1. The definition and components of a sustainable community (as highlighted in Section 4)

should be recognised as the ultimate goal of the strategy and incorporated into its re-draft. To support this, the RSDF’s sustainability principles should be applied in revising the community strategy and in delivering the key outcomes in the longer term.

2. To maximise opportunities for promoting sustainable development, as a priority a low

carbon approach must be integrated into the delivery of all themes. All themes have the potential to contribute to the Environment theme aim of securing reductions in CO2. However, their impact on achieving this goal will be fundamentally dependent on the way outcomes are delivered.

3. Make the link between affordable housing and sustainable construction (i.e. achieving

high standards of resource efficiency results in long term savings on running costs for water, energy etc.) both for new build and refurbishment. Adopting high standards of sustainable construction also offers considerable environmental benefits eg CO2 savings. In addition sustainably constructed and located self build housing schemes should be promoted to enable the local community (including young people) to gain new sustainability learning and skills, providing opportunities for volunteering and localised decision making. The strategy should include a specific commitment to achieving exemplar sustainable construction standards. Dorset should be aware of the new and ambitious requirements of the evolving RSS, draft PPS on climate change, Code for Sustainable Homes and those enshrined within the South West’s sustainable construction charter Future Foundations.

4. Develop a series of locally based multi-use (eg health, culture, leisure, learning etc.)

facilities. This represents a low carbon approach to improving access. Facilities should be supported by a flexible transport infrastructure which can be response to individual needs.

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5. Create and deliver a vision for a low carbon economy in Dorset. Action to support this vision needs to be integrated across all themes, with a particular emphasis on the economy, access and environment, facilitated by increased communication, training and joint planning and action between theme groups. Delivery of sustainability learning and skills is a fundamental requirement for achieving this vision.

6. Maximise opportunities to promote the sourcing (and consumption) of local goods and

services in particular food and drink. Linked to the increasing sourcing of local food and drink, opportunities to promote sustainable tourism should be mainstreamed throughout the strategy. The DMO should fully promote the South West Tourism’s Green Accreditation Scheme and link with the South West sustainable visitor campaign – Future Footprints with its emphasis on ‘Try Local, Buy Local’.

7. Fully support the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) (through secure funding and

infrastructure programmes) and capitalise on its expertise (including good practice) to help facilitate a sustainable and integrated approach to delivering the sustainable community strategy across ALL themes.

8. Review the LSP’s own learning needs to ensure they are sufficiently equipped to

maximise their contribution to sustainability.

9. Develop plans to proactively engage local people in delivering the Sustainable

Community Strategy. This will encourage local ownership and commitment to its objectives. Mechanisms to engage local people (including hard to reach groups) should be established to ensure they have sufficient opportunities to inform the further development of the Sustainable Community Strategy.

10. Adopt definitive measures to help provide equality of low carbon access to the

environment for all.

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Section 7 OVERARCHING RECOMMENDATIONS TO SUPPORT THE DELIVERY OF SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH THE COMMUNITY STRATEGY

The following recommendations concentrate on leadership for sustainability and are particularly relevant to DSP members and the Council’s Cabinet. They are informed by the SSW lead sustainability workshop. 1. Sustainability needs to be placed on the agenda of County Council’s cabinet and

positive leadership needs to be provided in placing sustainable development at the heart of the strategy. Sustainability principles should also be embedded into the County Council’s Service and Business Plans alongside the Community Strategy.

2. As a priority action, the DSP should commit to adopting an ambitious, low carbon

approach as a cross cutting principle which is fully integrated into the delivery activity of all themes.

3. Member involvement is required – both with a sustainability champion and in agreeing a

general commitment to sustainability. Sustainability must not be regarded as an ‘add on’. To be effective this needs to be supported by sustainability awareness raising and training for members.

4. Sustainability needs to be embedded into all LSP work. 5. DSP members should take a lead and implement their own sustainability strategy. This

should include a commitment to supporting local goods and services and the delivery of a carbon action plans. As above, this may require sustainability awareness raising and training.

6. Provide additional support and advice for officers, helping them embed sustainability

thinking into their ‘day job’. Sustainability training for officers may be required. 7. Establish stronger links between theme groups and ensure there is at least one

sustainability champion, which may require additional training. The bridging group should link with the theme groups and also receive sustainability awareness raising and training. Opportunities to raise awareness beyond the bridging group should also be considered for example in district LSPs who will also be working to achieve many of the issues being addressed through Dorset’s Community Strategy.

8. In developing the LAA (2008-2011) hold a joint event to discuss how the sustainability

actions identified in the Community Strategy will be delivered through the LAA. 9. Discuss with the Regional Observatory and other relevant organisations eg the Audit

Commission, a mechanism to measure a baseline and progress towards sustainability in the short, medium and long term. Progress should be publicly recognised and rewarded. Research capacity to deliver this should be developed locally.

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Section 8 THEME SPECIFIC COMMENTARY This theme specific section should be read in conjunction with Annex 6 which contains further detailed commentary highlighting the theme’s sustainability opportunities, risks and recommendations. 8.1 The ‘Olympic Opportunity for Dorset’ Theme Commentary

8.1.1 Introduction As a result of hosting the Olympic sailing competitions, Dorset will be very much in the spotlight in 2012. In readiness for the games, substantial money and effort will be spent on preparing for the influx of competitors, spectators and media. This provides an opportunity to develop new and existing facilities in ‘sustainable’ ways, avoiding activity which could potentially leave an ‘unsustainable’ legacy for the County. It also allows Dorset to capture some of the motivation and drive underpinning the Olympics to help address wider sustainability issues in the county. The last of the twelve ‘Legacy‘ goals aspires to a ‘step change’ in environmental and sustainability behaviour in the county, but it is important to ensure that sustainability is at the core of all the goals, as this will provide a stronger foundation for a more sustainable Dorset. 8.1.2 Priority issues to be addressed in revising the Olympic Opportunity theme. • Taking a long-term approach. The legacies have to be mindful of the need for all of us to

move to a ‘low-carbon’ economy in the future. The Strategy provides an opportunity to consider issues related to the nature of any development for the Olympics, such as energy use, construction and location of any new facilities or transport infrastructure. One particular area of focus will be how people travel to and access facilities, both from within the county and nationally / internationally. Addressing this ‘sustainably’ will help manage the impact on existing communities, the local economy and the environment – including carbon emissions.

• Community participation in sport, play and leisure. The impetus for more participation in sport, play and leisure in general created by the Olympics should be captured in all communities in the county, and feature sports over and above the local focus on water-based events. Success in this area will generate health and well-being benefits. There is also scope for a particular focus on those groups and communities who are traditionally excluded from this sort of activity.

• Community participation in decision making. The Strategy should ensure that the people of Dorset are involved in decision making related to the Olympic developments, with local ‘buy-in’ to solutions. Additionally, the local economy should be supported through procurement policies.

• Learning & Skills. Finally, to ensure that the Olympic ‘stimulus’ has a lasting and positive impact, it is important to build in learning and skills acquisition – particularly sustainability skills.

8.1.3 Workshop Feedback: Olympic Opportunities: Theme Key Compatibilities Key incompatibilities Economy/ Demographic Challenge

Quality jobs for local community (including older people), as well as sustainability skills and training. Development of sustainable, more energy efficient, businesses. Growing ‘environmental’ sectors.

Access

Recognising the need to integrate transport (e.g. bus and rail) system for the event and into the long-term.

Environment

Maximise use of sustainable technologies e.g. in new materials and energy production.

Olympics encourages more visitors who will primarily travel by car – need to develop an overarching approach to tourist transport

Housing Regeneration leads to local people being priced out of housing market – policies need to ensure allocation for local people

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8.2 Providing affordable, sustainable and appropriate housing Theme Commentary 8.2.1 Introduction Housing, and particularly the supply of Affordable Housing (AH) is identified as a pressing issue throughout Dorset. The problem is exacerbated in rural areas by high levels of demand from commuters, second-home owners and incoming retirees. One of the results of this housing ‘squeeze’ is a shortage of accommodation for the young and low-waged in rural communities. There are also additional pressures from higher building standards, and the growing need to make housing more ‘flexible’ and adaptable. The Strategy makes attempts to resolve the problems through a wide range of policy, planning and investment measures, addressing not only the supply of AH, but importantly, people’s ability to afford it by encouraging higher-skilled, higher-paid employment in the county. 8.2.2 Priority issues to be addressed in revising this theme. • Location. It is important to ensure that the sites developed for housing do not compromise

attempts to reduce high-carbon travel, or have detrimental impacts on the quality of the natural environment in Dorset. Wherever possible, opportunities should be taken to ensure that new housing is built in appropriate locations. Consideration also needs to given to future employment patterns, driven by the move to a low-carbon economy. This may see growth in sectors such as organic agriculture and environmental technologies which could lead to increased demands for more affordable housing, as opposed to commuter housing in rural areas.

• Utilisation. Consideration needs to be given to how to ensure that ‘new’ housing is actually taken up by those most in need, and not just consumed for ‘second homes’, further weakening communities and leading to closure of local facilities. Attempts to improve wage levels in rural communities may actually exacerbate this by helping to maintain prices at higher levels.

• Construction. The focus must be on ‘sustainable construction’, quality design, respect for local distinctiveness, and protection of the landscape and habitat in development locations. This will help keep running costs low in the long term, reducing costs of ownership. The effects of climate change cannot be ignored either and all new or refurbished housing should take account of adaptation and mitigation opportunities. The potential impact of flooding, sea-level rise, higher temperatures and more rainfall all need to be incorporated into future design.

• Learning & Skills. Developing sustainable construction skills will help provide long-term solutions.

8.2.3 Workshop Feedback: Affordable Housing and: Theme Key Compatibilities Key incompatibilities Access Asset Register could identify good

locations for AH – need to make most of sustainable/accessible sites.

Provision of additional housing in rural areas may increase travel.

Environment, Economy

Developing new sustainable forms of AH will help support economic development within environmental limits – need to be built in sustainable locations, using sustainable construction techniques.

Incompatibility of increased build with environment eg climate change and use of energy/resources - need to be built in sustainable locations, using sustainable construction techniques.

Demographic Challenge

Provision of AH should enable young people to stay within area – local occupancy conditions should be applied to avoid additional houses being used as second homes.

Thriving Communities

Improving ‘enabling’ encourages greater local participation and decision making – support more through parish plans.

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8.3 Developing Dorset’s Economy Theme Commentary 8.3.1 Introduction

The draft strategy emphasises the importance of establishing a thriving and sustainable local economy and the importance of securing economic growth within environmental limits. The RSDF makes clear that lasting sustainable economic growth must be clearly understood to mean low carbon, resource efficient development which enhances environmental quality and supports inclusive social progress, in ways which meet the diverse needs of the region’s local economies and workforces. At a high level, this understanding needs to be integrated into the economic development theme and outcomes amended to reflect this. Generally, the theme could be more ambitious and proactive, maximising the significant business opportunities in particular those presented by a low carbon economy. Particular attention should be paid to the increased urgency and opportunities around the climate change mitigation agenda. 8.3.2 Priority issues to be addressed in revising the Economy theme

The overarching goal in amending the economy theme should be to create and deliver a vision for a low carbon economy in Dorset. The following recommendations will help achieve this goal: • Emphasise achieving access instead of mobility. Innovative and low carbon ways to

improve access should be deployed for example increased support for the use of ICT enabled facilities. The suggestion for releasing employment land in locations which will encourage shorter journeys to work needs further emphasis and integration throughout the strategy.

• Promote nature resource efficiency across all sectors, both as a driver to better business competitiveness and as a step towards working within environmental limits. Business support organisations (in particular Envirowise) offer free advice to SMEs on increasing resource efficiency, in particular waste minimisation, with significant savings to be made. Business should also be supported to increase energy efficiency and use of renewables.

• Actively promote skills to support a low carbon approach for all sectors and boost emerging sectors that aims to deliver sustainable solutions eg renewables (including identifying skills gaps) and skills for sustainable construction.

• Maximise opportunities to promote the sourcing (and consumption) of local goods and services in particular food and drink. For example, the ‘Direct from Dorset’ programme should be fully supported (including resourced) to help support local economies and generally more sustainable patterns of production and consumption.

8.3.3 Workshop Feedback: Economy Theme and:

Theme Key Compatibilities Key incompatibilities Environment

Environment is a key driver for the local economy – need to develop image and ensure better engagement with business


Experience and expertise of mature people – use mentoring schemes, voluntary work and social enterprise

Olympics

Could marginalise local community – need good planning to ensure social inclusion

Affordable Housing

Location of houses and workplaces – need good planning to facilitate accessibility

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8.4 Improved access to services, employment and leisure Theme Commentary 8.4.1 Introduction

There are a number of different access problems being experienced in Dorset, including ‘remoteness’ from services, employment, education etc in some rural areas, and an ‘excess of mobility’ in urban areas leading to congestion. The Community Strategy builds on policy developed for the underlying transport plans for Dorset, with the intention of improving accessibility. There is also an aspiration that “those people and goods that need to be moved should be done so more sustainably”. There is however a risk that some of the measures proposed will merely facilitate more mobility, and not achieve the desired ‘improved access’. 8.4.2 Priority issues to be addressed in revising the Access theme.

• Transport Plans. These are driven by four principles dealing with Congestion, Accessibility, Road Safety and Air Quality, and there is scope to more fully respond to these in the Strategy. Measures to increase public transport capacity, and improve facilities for walkers and cyclists are to be welcomed and encouraged, although merely adding capacity to the transport system is unlikely to substantially address the priorities. There is also scope to develop ‘soft-measures’ such as ‘Travel Plans’, ‘Individual travel planning’, and better transport information, which could offer positive improvements by helping to ‘manage’ demand.

• Location. The location of services and facilities, particularly new ones, can have a major impact on accessibility. By drawing on the ‘accessibility planning’ undertaken as part of LTP2 submissions it could be possible to focus responses in areas of most need / most exclusion.

• Service Delivery. The potential for delivering some services ‘locally’ could also be pursued as a way of addressing access needs. Perhaps through greater use of multi-use community facilities. There could also be scope to develop ‘shared’ provision with other public-sector transport users and providers (education, health etc).

8.4.3 Workshop Feedback: Access and

Theme Key Compatibilities Key incompatibilities Economy Improved infrastructure enhances access

to key locations – but need to encourage a low carbon approach


The improved access to key facilities for older people, young people and people with mobility impairments

Thriving Communities

Involve the community and voluntary sector in developing access solutions – need to improve and make more ‘flexible’ rural transport. In addition encourage ‘smart’ travel planning for events/festivals

Environment Traffic growth leads to increased carbon emissions and in some areas poorer air quality. Need to encourage fuel efficiency and low carbon fuels. And implement ‘smart’ travel plans for all sectors and set challenging CO2 targets.

Housing Additional housing puts pressure on existing infrastructure – planning process needs to maximise existing network effectiveness, with an emphasis on smarter travel options.

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8.5 Safeguarding Dorset’s Environment Theme Commentary 8.5.1 Introduction

The quality of the natural environment in Dorset is an important asset for the county, attracting tourism and investment to the area. However, there are two fundamental drivers of change which need to be addressed in the Strategy. Firstly there is Climate Change, with potentially fundamental implications for flora, fauna, and landscape, as well as society and the economy in the County. Although this importance is already reflected within the measures proposed in the Theme, it is yet to achieve the central role it must be given in the wider Strategy. Secondly, there is the ever-present desire for development, economic, social and infrastructure. There will always be change, but this can be approached with the intention of achieving a balance between the need to conserve and/or preserve elements of the natural and built environment, whilst accepting modification of others. The tension that this might create should be resolved by taking an integrated approach to environmental, social and economic factors, in order to achieve the most sustainable outcome for all parties. 8.5.2 Priority issues to be addressed in revising the Environment theme.

• Development Pressure. The natural and built environment in Dorset should be given due importance when considering future development, to avoid detracting from an asset which attracts both visitors and investors to the county. Adopting approaches such as sustainable construction, better resource use and on-site / renewable energy generation can help accommodate these development pressures.

• Climate Change. The Climate Change impacts on the environment need to be considered at all levels of planning and strategy development in the county. Opportunities to support and promote adaptation should be maximised, as well as those mitigating future CO2 emissions.

• Community Participation. Dorset communities need to participate in the decision making process about issues related to the environment – and be empowered to do so. Consideration needs to be given to how excluded groups in the community or those not engaged with the natural environment will be informed and involved.

• Access. It is also important to consider how people ‘access’ the environment in Dorset, to avoid damaging the features that they come to see and to embrace ‘sustainable tourism’.

8.5.3 Workshop Feedback: Safeguarding Dorset’s Environment:

Key Compatibilities Key incompatibilities

Access, Demographic Challenge, Thriving Communities.

Access to the environment for all helps promote healthy lifestyles - maximise alternatives to car based travel e.g. public transport. In addition integrate education, social services, business links etc to reduce travel

Economy - Meeting local workforce needs and promoting a low carbon economy – need to incorporate symbiosis programme and include CO2 targets. In addition need better integration.

Growth including transport infrastructure – need to have greater provision of local goods and services.

Housing Release of land (including Greenfield) has adverse impact on environment – need careful consideration of location (to reduce need to travel), use of local materials/skills. Need to achieve high standards of sustainable construction.

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8.6 Demographic Challenge: Ageing Population Commentary 8.6.1 Introduction

An increased emphasis on independence and choice and supporting older people who want to continue to live in their homes is seen as a real positive. Potential sustainability wins from independent living include supporting mental well-being and allowing older people to continue to participate in local community life which they may have strong bonds to. 8.6.2 Priority issues to be addressed in revising this theme:

• Informed engagement. The emphasis in the strategy on the greater involvement of older people (including marginalised groups) in how their services are run is welcomed. The strategy should draw on best practice to develop creative feedback/consultation models which offer genuine opportunities for informed input and engagement in both service delivery and the wider sustainability agenda.

• Contribution of Older Residents. The strategy identifies the increasing importance of the economic and skills contribution of older residents but surprisingly omits specific actions related to maximising this potential in the future. Such actions when developed should address the skills and jobs required to support the shift to a sustainable, low carbon economy which also maximises the potential of an ageing workforce.

• Access. As a priority the strategy should integrate access strategies with broader low

carbon service delivery and community development strategies eg through DCC and NHS joint commissioning arrangements.

• Volunteering Opportunities. The key role of older people in supporting volunteering (and

therefore inclusive communities) should be maximised.

8.6.3 Workshop Feedback: Ageing Population and:

Theme Key Compatibilities Key incompatibilities Affordable Housing

Supports older people remaining at home, helping to maximise independence and support health and well-being

second home purchases force up house prices for local people – place conditions on availability of second homes

Access

Locally based services reduces the need to travel, providing a long term approach to improved access.

Young People

Support inter-generational links i.e. care of old/young people could have symbiotic relationship

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8.7 Demographic Challenge: Children & Young People Commentary 8.7.1 Introduction

Recent consultation suggests that more facilities for teenagers is the second highest concern for Dorset’s communities. The Strategy also identifies the lack of suitable employment opportunities and affordable housing as contributory factors in many young adults leaving the county once they get beyond further/higher education. More broadly Young People (YP) as Dorset’s ‘next generation’ need to be prepared for, and involved in, the development of sustainable 21st century communities. 8.7.2 Priority issues to be addressed in revising this theme.

• Involvement of YP. The emphasis in the Community Strategy on the greater involvement of YP (including YP not necessarily attracted to formal schemes) in how their services are run is welcomed and opportunities to take this forward should be maximised. A variety of recommendations for involving YP in activities are provided in Annex 5.

• Safeguarding the rights of Dorset’s YP. The Strategy highlights the rights of children and

YP to ‘a good quality of life’, along with access to key services, as governing principles for the future development of programmes. In order for the strategy to help safeguard the rights of Dorset’s YP, the rights of future generations of YP – and the need to involve YP in the challenges of sustainable 21st century living – must also inform the planning and delivery of services.

• Adopting a preventative approach. As with other themes including Safer and Healthy

Communities, it is important to take a proactive and preventative approach. The strategy should ensure that programmes seek to counteract the root causes of anti-social behaviour amongst YP (rather than just dealing with its negative effects). More generally (again as with other themes) there are opportunities to take forward inclusive healthy living and recreation programmes to maximise sustainability gains for Dorset eg by supporting local producers , establishing ‘green gyms’ and engaging disaffected/marginalised YP.

• Learning opportunities. The strategy should ensure that learning strategies for children

and YP offer opportunities to explore global citizenship issues (eg climate change, natural resources, fair-trade) and integrate basic understanding about living more sustainable lifestyles. Linked to the significant challenges around climate change, skills strategies should create new opportunities to attract YP and support a shift to the business opportunities associated with a low carbon economy.

8.7.3 Workshop Feedback: Children & Young People and: Theme Key Compatibilities Key incompatibilities Access Local provision of services

helps educational achievement eg accessibility supporting health and wellbeing

Affordable Housing

Major problem of AH for sustaining 18-35 age group – limit number of holiday homes.

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8.8 Thriving Communities: Safer Communities theme commentary 8.8.1 Introduction

Crime and the fear of crime are major factors in reducing quality of life that are often best addressed at community level. Establishing the causes of particular types of crime (eg drugs and alcohol, alienation, boredom) and, ultimately, seeking to reduce the motivations for criminal behaviour will need to be an overarching goal. 8.8.2 Priority issues to be addressed in revising the Safer Communities theme

As with healthy and fit communities, a ‘preventative approach’ needs to be taken and reactive measures such as increasing CCTV and ‘moving on’ groups (although appropriate in some circumstances) may merely address the symptoms as opposed to tackling the route cause of the problem. A preventative approach does not appear to be integrated across all outcomes and should be considered as a fundamental principle when amending this theme. When revising the Safer Communities Theme, SSW recommends the following suggestions are integrated to help support a more preventative approach: • Engaging disaffected individuals. Tackle petty crime by engaging disaffected individuals

who may be associated with anti-social behaviour (a key source of crime and fear of crime) within their local community.

• Supporting YP to participate. Innovative measures should be pursued to help support young people to participate in and value their community. For example to help tackle graffiti, a designated outdoor arts space could be provided and young people, supported by graffiti artists encouraged to use this space. A starting point could be to look widely at the facilities and activities (including sport and leisure) which are already in place and consider addressing any gaps. Green gyms can provide an effective way of engaging individuals whilst benefiting their health and local environment.

• Design out crime. Measures to design out crime should be considered and integrated when planning new, or regenerating existing, (in particular although not exclusively) urban areas. Further recommendations on designing out unsafe areas are referenced in Annex 5.

8.8.3 Workshop Feedback: Safer Communities and:

Theme Key Compatibilities Key incompatibilities Affordable Housing (AH)

An overall need to integrate the provision of AH to ensure healthy and safe communities –ensure these are built to a high specification for sustainable construction

Access

Improved access supports health and wellbeing

Environment/Access

Take measures to ‘design out crime’ and provide leisure facilities to prevent boredom-induced petty crime

Economy

Healthier workforce leads to a stronger economy – implement healthy workplace schemes

Development of private health care services may adversely impinge on the accessibility of service provision

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8.9 Thriving Communities: Building Strong and Inclusive Communities Theme Commentary

8.9.1 Introduction

Dorset’s draft sustainable community strategy identifies the importance of community engagement and participation as a fundamental aspect of sustainable communities. It charts a positive trend in Dorset’s citizens increasingly expressing their aspirations through the parish and community planning processes. The strategy also highlights the crucial role of volunteering and of the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in supporting communities – enhancing both ‘social capital’ and the formal economy along the way. The VCS is central to tackling disadvantage and promoting social justice – and a long term, global approach to social justice is what sustainability is all about. By supporting sustainable communities in the round the VCS and local planning processes have a real opportunity to increase their contribution to sustainability. An integrated approach – which aims for joined up social, environmental and economic solutions – will ultimately bring more lasting benefits to Dorset’s people. 8.9.2 Priority issues to be addressed in revising this theme

• Embedding sustainability criteria. The suggested county wide strategic approach to supporting the voluntary sector and community development should embed sustainability criteria from the highest level through to delivery. It is also important to ensure the sustainability expertise of those within the VCS is effectively used to deliver the community strategy in the most sustainable way.

• Community facilities. The proposal to develop community facilities as multi-use ‘connected

community hubs’ is strongly supported and should be given priority in any re-drafting of this theme. Providing low carbon, inclusive access is a key component of genuinely sustainable communities and innovative ways to engage disadvantaged groups should be considered.

• Community managed assets. Guidance, building on the Development Trusts model, to communities on managing their own assets and services which embeds clear sustainability principles and highlights case studies should be provided.

• Every Action Counts. Support for the VCS should be maximised and linked to the ‘Every Action Counts’ programme to support community engagement and learning in the wider sustainability agenda

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8.10 Thriving Communities: Healthy & Fit Communities Theme Commentary 8.10.1 Introduction

It is clear that good physical and mental health is a key enabler of social inclusion whilst poor health can be a barrier. All too often, those suffering from the poorest health live in communities most affected by sustainability issues. Health problems resulting from fuel poverty, poor food, pollution and lack of access to green or recreational space will disproportionately affect deprived areas or excluded groups. Sustainability is all about a long-term, holistic and preventative approach and this is key to establishing healthy and fit communities for the long-term. Lasting responses to health and well-being need to address wider environmental and social factors and focus on an integrated approach to prevention rather than waiting for problems to occur. 8.10.2 Priority issues to be addressed in revising this theme:

• Local services. The aim to provide localised, preventative services forms an under-pinning principle to achieve healthy and fit communities and is fully supported. The use of locally based facilities helps improve equality of access in a low carbon way and is an idea picked up throughout many of the themes. These should be supported by a flexible transport infrastructure which can be responsive to individual needs.

• Green space. The theme appears to omit explicit reference to the use of local ‘green space’

which can be used to support health and wellbeing whilst maximising opportunities for low carbon access and community participation. The revision should aim to establish and/or widely promote ‘green gyms’ to help promote physical and mental wellbeing alongside community engagement and local environmental stewardship.

• Sustainable construction. The link between sustainable construction and its benefits for tackling fuel poverty appear to have been omitted from this section although reference is made within the environment theme. Achieving high standards of sustainable construction for new and retro-fitting in existing build helps keep long term running costs to a minimum, tackle fuel poverty and reduce household CO2 emissions. As a priority high standards of sustainable construction should be embedded within the strategy, ensuring these are consistent to the draft RSS standards.

• Sustainable transport. Make the link with access and integrate opportunities to promote sustainable transport with the associated health and well being benefits. For example, Walking Buses provide an effective way of addressing the ‘school run’ whilst promoting wellbeing for children and helping to address obesity.

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8.11 Thriving Communities: Culture theme commentary

8.11.1 Introduction

Cultural (and heritage) assets all contribute to the attractiveness and distinctiveness of the region and are crucial to the value attached to places by individuals, communities, residents and visitors alike. Indeed the diversity of the South West’s amazing built and natural environment, cultural heritage and wildlife are part of what makes the region special and attract millions of visitors each year.

8.11.2 Priority issues to be addressed in revising this theme:

• Cultural sector. The strategy recognises that the cultural sector provides a valuable source of jobs and the decline in employment for this sector is key challenge needing to be addressed. In making plans to establish a vibrant and thriving creative industries sector it will also be important to consider the wider linkages that could be made for older/young people to participate in both voluntary and paid work opportunities. More widely when revising this theme, Dorset County Council should consider further opportunities within the Cultural sector to support broader economic inclusion programmes i.e. new arts projects could represent new opportunities to offer satisfying fairly paid or unpaid work to deprived communities.

• Access. The strategy also seeks to improve access to culture and recognises the use of

local multi-purpose venues, as do other themes contained within the community strategy. SSW strongly supports the use of locally based multi-purpose ‘community hubs’ as a way of improving access in a lower carbon manner.

• Tourism. There is also a major opportunity to link cultural tourism with regional initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable tourism. Specifically the DMO should give a strong emphasis to integrating the South West Tourism Green Business Scheme and the region’s sustainable tourism visitor campaign Future Footprints with its messages for ‘try local buy local’.

• Link with other themes. When revising the theme, leads should undertake further work to identify the strong linkages between culture and other themes (including access, the economy and demographic challenge) and especially activities for young people and the knock-on effects on crime, health and street scene etc.

8.11.3 Workshop Feedback: Culture and:

Theme Key Compatibilities Key incompatibilities Inclusive communities/demographic challenge

Opportunities to promote social inclusion by better integration of voluntary sector (cultural) into service delivery

Economy Supporting the creative industries Environment

- Quality of design and historic environment - Multipurpose venues would enable local access and hence less transport

Promotion of JC arts strategy and multi-use venues could attract more people from further away – especially due to JC international designation. Need to implement an ‘access to culture’ transport plan

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Section 9 OVERARCHING CONCLUSIONS FROM THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMENTARY 9.1 In our view, a good first attempt has been made to incorporate sustainability into the draft strategy. For example, sustainability is recognised upfront and the DSP has set out an ambition to embed sustainability into the strategy. Commitment for embedding sustainability from the DSP is critical if the strategy is going to succeed in sustainability terms and this up front statement is a positive starting point. However, we are concerned that attempts to monitor sustainability success through the use of local quality of life data sets is unlikely to truly assess progress, as using existing sustainability indicators is known to be problematic. Further sources of advice include the Regional Observatory and the region’s through the Sustainability Shaper is exploring the development of a set of improved and more integrated sustainability indicators. 9.2 A good range of sustainability principles are embedded within the detail of specific themes but not integrated across themes. In particular, the environment theme contains some overarching sustainability goals: meeting the challenges faced by climate change; securing economic development within environmental limits; supporting a sustainable local food and farming industry; and providing equality of access to the environment for all. These are all positive objectives which we welcome but to be effective these must be applied across the whole strategy and integrated into theme outcomes. This lack of integration presents a sustainability failing and there is a risk retaining the strategy in its current form will result in contradictory outcomes and initiatives which may negatively impact on the long term sustainability of Dorset. As per our recommendations, sustainability needs to be applied across all themes in an integrated way. 9.3 To be effective sustainability aspirations also need to be supported by specific proposals or actions. In a number of places, for example the Olympics and Affordable Housing themes, sustainability objectives are mentioned but action to drive forward change is not sufficiently integrated into outcomes. Measures including targets could be considered to help drive forward definitive action in achieving sustainability goals. 9.4 Generally there is a feeling that the strategy could be more ambitious and proactive in maximising the opportunities of the sustainability agenda. For example, Dorset could set an ambition to be at the forefront of innovation for a low carbon economy and/or become a leader for investing and deploying low carbon access. Climate change is a key area where Dorset could act as a leader with the economic, environmental and social opportunities associated with adopting a low carbon approach. Workshop participants acknowledged the need for action on climate change potentially in the form of specific targets which help drive forward action. This action should focus on mitigation. 9.5 In places the strategy appears reactive rather than proactive for example it does not appear that a preventative approach is applied throughout the outcomes – i.e. crime theme generally tackles the symptoms as opposed to addressing the route cause of the problem. 9.6 Relating to the above, getting the upfront policy is just the start of the process and achieving a more sustainable approach will require definitive leadership and the inclusion of integrated sustainability policies. Development of the LAA provides positive opportunities to enhance the delivery of sustainable development. 9.7 In conclusion, a good start has been made to ensure that the Community Strategy helps tackles the county’s sustainability challenges. Integrating sustainability goals across themes (and their associated outcomes) and ensuring these are backed up by definitive measures will help ensure that sustainability is sufficiently addressed through the strategy. There remains a significant opportunity for the DSP and DCC to show real leadership and ambition to adopt a more sustainable approach.

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Develop sustainability learning and skills Explain and promote the ‘what’, ‘why’ and ‘how’ of sustainability and develop ‘systemic thinking’, professional skills and leadership to support sustainable solutions. Improve physical and mental well-being Reduce health inequalities by supporting: healthy, balanced lifestyles; healthy homes and workplaces; clean, safe and green environments; and supportive and inclusive communities. Improve equality in meeting basic needs Reduce inequalities (prioritising those most in need) in access to: decent and affordable housing; essential goods & services; an adequate income; and safe and satisfying employment, learning and leisure opportunities. Be resource wise Cut consumption of resources and adopt high energy, water and resource efficiency at home and at work; maximise the use of local, renewable energy; minimise waste and prevent pollution. Support thriving low carbon economies Boost competitiveness, business markets and employment opportunities by supporting a low carbon approach to innovation, enterprise and economic development in ways which meet local workforce needs. eg local renewable energy, sustainable construction and renovation, environmental technologies and local/regional supply chains Reduce high carbon travel Use, promote and plan for low carbon access/travel. eg walking & cycling, home-working, mobile services, ICT/video-conferencing, online facilities, local multi-service centres, demand-responsive public transport and alternative fuels Use local and ethical goods & services Use locally and ethically sourced goods and services - and strengthen local/regional supply chains - to boost our local economies and support people in other parts of the world. Enhance local distinctiveness & diversity including biodiversity Protect and enhance our natural resources and biodiversity, culture and heritage and celebrate diversity and distinctiveness.

Help everyone to join in public decision-making Support wider, more informed participation in public and community decision-making to foster citizenship and involve people in the solutions to local and global challenges.

Take a long term approach Take into account the needs of future generations including mitigating and adapting to climate change. Ensure the genuine sustainability and success of what you do by pursuing integrated, lasting 'win-win-win' outcomes for society, the economy and the environment.

Annex 1 Regional Sustainable Development Framework – the Sustainability Shaper www.shapersw.net The South West’s Mission for Sustainability “People in the South West of England choose to live, work and prosper within environmental limits, pursuing justice and well-being and valuing diversity and distinctiveness.” Principles To achieve the South West’s sustainability Mission a set of practical sustainability ‘operating principles’ have been developed for the region. These translate the UK’s sustainable development strategy Securing the Future, which provides a set of national guiding principles. All the South West's ten sustainability Principles should be applied across all areas of activity in the region for the Mission to be achieved.

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Annex 2 Sustainability Appraisal Workshop Note

Poundbury, 17th January 2007 Present Helen Heanes, Economic Development Officer, DCC Kate Hindson, Community Planning Manager, DCC Louise Stewart. Weymouth & Portland Partnership Gill Smith, Senior Affordable Housing Officer, DCC Valerie Stevens, Vice chair, Federation of Small Businesses, Wessex Region David Walsh, Group Leader Community & Economic Policy, DCC Steve Williams, Team Leader – Capital Works Tim Badman, Coast and Countryside Policy Manager, DCC Paul McIntosh, Dorset Agenda 21 Jackie Allen, 55 Forum Dorchester and District Andrew Archibald, Head of Community Care, Adult/ Community Services, DCC Les Gardener, Head of Partnership Development, Childrens Services, DCC Jan Owens, Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership Maria Clarke, Community Planning Officer ( WDDC ) Jane Horne, Primary Care Trust Sue Sparkes, Health Partnerships Officer, DCC Pat Pryor, Culture and Community Planning Officer, DCC Kate Hall, Sustainable Development Manager Antony Littlechild, Corporate Sustainability Officer Susan Sage, Community Planning and Partnerships Officer Leslie Watson – Director, Sustainability South West (SSW) Sylvie Channon - Regional Liaison & Appraisal Co-ordinator, SSW Jeff Ligo – Associate, SSW Background

SSW has been commissioned by Dorset County Council to provide a sustainability assessment of the draft Sustainable Community Strategy. SSW holds a brief from DEFRA to try to ensure that the principles and practice of sustainable development are effectively incorporated into Sustainable Community Strategies, LAAs and through the wider work of Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs). This workshop would assist in informing SSW of the issues in Dorset and where appropriate be taken into account when formulating the final report. It also provided an important opportunity for theme leads and wider LSP members to refresh their understanding of sustainable development and identify connections within and between differing themes.

Sustainability Appraisal Session Leslie Watson and Sylvie Channon - Presentation on sustainable development Leslie reminded the Group of the National Policy set out in Securing the Future – the Government’s national Sustainable Development Strategy. The existing Regional Sustainable Development Framework (RSDF) has been updated in light of Securing the Future and includes a checklist of 10 operating principles which can be used as a basis for ensuring a sustainable approach is built-in to all strategies and action plans. The presentation set the sustainable development scene in advance of the interactive exercises.

Interactive session on applying sustainable development principles to the themes of the Community strategy

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In theme groups, the first exercise was aimed at applying the RSDF’s sustainability principles to the overarching objectives of each Theme and identifying sustainability compatibilities and incompatibilities within each theme. This aim of this exercise was to refresh participants understanding of sustainability in the context of their themes overarching outcomes. The collated sheets are contained in annex X. The second exercise aimed at identifying compatibilities and incompatibilities between themes. Key highlights from exercise 2 have been recorded in annex 2 and incorporated in condensed form in the body of the report. A feedback session from these two exercises revealed some interesting wider comments which are summarised below: • The way action is delivered is a major factor in determining how to maximise sustainable development compatibilities and minimise incompatibilities. • There appear to be some significant incompatibilities which will need clarity of thought, determination and clear leadership to work through. For example airport expansion is not in line with the requirement to urgently achieve reductions in CO2 emissions. The inclusion of annual CO2 reduction targets could help to drive forward action in a different way. • Clear and determined leadership was vital at all levels within the Partnership if it is going to deliver genuinely sustainable development. • Outcomes enshrined within the Environment theme should nor stand alone but be integrated across themes. For example tackling the challenge of climate change is a cross-cutting issue and needs to be applied across the outcomes of all themes. • There is currently no climate change adaptation strategy – this needs integrating into the strategy. There is a possible connection with Wildlife Trusts and the South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership can provide more information on adaptation. • There is lots of activity on local food and this needs to be sufficiently integrated into the strategy. • There is an overarching need to implement a countywide renewable energy strategy which includes ambitious targets for renewables. Leadership and commitment Jeff Ligo spelt out the importance of Leadership in delivering a positive and sustainable approach. The approach should recognise that a major shift in the behaviours of everyone is required. Leaders could achieve this by: • Enabling people to change by promoting the requirements of the sustainability principles. • Encouraging by incentives to change behaviour (eg car sharing). • Engaging people with the agenda and introducing sustainability awareness training. • Exemplifying best practice in policy and practice. Jeff’s presentation was followed by exercise 3 where participants were asked to (on an individual basis) record their recommendations on how sustainability could be more widely supported for example through leadership within the Council, through the LSP and the training. The collated results are shown in Annex 3. Next steps SSW to collate the feedback from the workshop and submit the draft appraisal to Dorset County Council by Wednesday 7th February.

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Annex 3

Delivering Sustainable Communities An interactive workshop for assessing the sustainability of Dorset’s draft Sustainable

Community Strategy

Wednesday 17 January 2007, Brownsword Hall, Poundbury 9.45 Arrival: tea and coffee 10.00 Introductions 10.05 SSW presentation: � Sustainable development (SD) – a refresher � The national and regional SD picture and sustainability principles � Dorset’s sustainable community strategy – responsibilities and opportunities! � SSW’s role in appraising community strategies and examples of good practice 10.40 Session 1: An interactive exercise to explore the key sustainability issues within each of Dorset’s priorities. 11.10 Coffee/tea break 11.20 Session 1: continued 11.30 Feedback and discussion 12.10 Locally sourced buffet lunch 1.00 SSW presentation: ‘A taster’ of ideas for addressing sustainability issues within the current

community Strategy. 1.15 Session 2: An interactive exercise, using ‘hot off the press DIY sustainability rulers’ to

consider the sustainability issues between Dorset’s priorities. 2.15 Coffee/tea break 2.25 Feedback and discussion 2.45 SSW presentation: Ideas and options to support the delivery of sustainability through the Community strategy 3.00 Session 3: An interactive exercise to agree recommendations to support the future delivery of sustainability through implementing this strategy 3.30 Next steps 3.45 Close

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Annex 4 Collated key points from workshop Exercise 2 Workshop participants were asked within their themes to look across themes and identify how the key sustainability compatibilities and incompatibles and be maximised and minimised respectively. Due to time constraints a comprehensive write up of this exercise is not available. However, some key comments from the exercise have been captured and where most significant integrated into the report. Theme: Olympics Key sustainability compatibilities highlighted between themes: • Olympics & Economy/Demographic Challenge: quality employment for local people (including older community) and development of sustainable businesses. Need to provide sustainability skills and training for local people and encourage more energy efficient businesses and environmental sectors. • Olympics & Access: need to integrate transport (eg bus and rail) system for the event and into the long-term. • Olympics & Environment: maximise use of sustainable technologies eg in new materials and energy production. Key sustainability incompatibilities highlighted between themes: • Olympics and housing: regeneration leads to local people being priced out of housing market – planning policies needs to ensure allocation for local people • Olympics & Environment: Jurassic Coast and Olympics encourages more visitors who often travel by car – need to develop an overarching approach to tourist transport, DMO could take the lead on this. Theme: Affordable Housing (AH) Key sustainability compatibilities highlighted between themes: • AH & Access: Asset Register could identify good locations for AH – need to make most of sustainable/accessible sites. • AH & Environment/Economy: developing new sustainable forms of AH will help support economic development within environmental limits – need to be built in sustainable locations, using sustainable construction techniques. • AH & Demographic Challenge: provision of AH should enable young people to stay within area – local occupancy conditions should be applied to avoid additional houses being used as second homes. • AH & Thriving Communities: improving ‘enabling’ encourages greater local participation and decision making – support more through parish/community plans. Key sustainability incompatibilities highlighted between themes: • AH & Access: Provision of additional housing in rural areas may increase travel. • AH & Environment: incompatibility of increased build with environment eg climate change and use of energy/resources - need to be built in sustainable locations, using sustainable construction techniques. Theme: Economy Key sustainability compatibilities highlighted between themes: • Economy & Environment: environment is a key driver for the local economy – need to develop image and ensure better engagement with business • Economy & Demographic Challenge: experience and expertise of mature people – use mentoring schemes, voluntary work and social enterprise Key sustainability incompatibilities highlighted between themes: • Economy & Affordable Housing: location of houses and workplaces – need good planning to facilitate accessibility

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• Economy & Olympics: could marginalise local community – need good planning to ensure social inclusion Theme: Access Key sustainability compatibilities highlighted between themes: • Access & Economy: improved infrastructure helps enhance access to key locations – need to encourage a low carbon approach • Access & Demographic Challenge: improved access to key facilities for older people, young people and people with mobility impairments • Access & Thriving Communities: involve the community and voluntary sector in developing access solutions – need to improve and make more flexible transport within rural hinterland. In addition, encourage ‘smart’ travel planning for major events/festivals. Key sustainability incompatibilities highlighted between themes: • Access & Environment: traffic growth leads to increased carbon emissions and in some areas poorer air quality – need to encourage fuel efficiency and low carbon fuels. In addition implement ‘smart’ travel plans for all sectors and set challenging targets for carbon emission reductions. • Access & Housing: additional housing puts pressure on existing infrastructure – planning process needs to maximise effectiveness of existing network, with an emphasis on smarter travel options. Theme: Environment Key sustainability compatibilities highlighted between themes: • Environment & Access/Demographic challenge/Thriving Communities: access to the environment for all helps promote healthy lifestyles - maximise alternatives to car based travel eg public transport. In addition pull together education/social services/business links etc to reduce travel • Environment & Economy: meeting local workforce needs and promoting a low carbon economy – need to incorporate symbiosis programme and include carbon reduction targets Key sustainability incompatibilities highlighted between themes: • Environment & Housing: release of land (including Greenfield) has adverse impact on environment – need careful consideration of location (including reducing need to travel), use of local materials and skills. Generally need to implement high standards of sustainable construction. • Environment & Economy: growth including transport infrastructure – need to have greater provision of local goods and services. Theme: Demographic Challenge: Children & Young People Key sustainability compatibilities highlighted between themes: • Demographic Challenge & Access: local provision of services helps educational achievement eg accessibility supporting health and wellbeing Key sustainability incompatibilities highlighted between themes: • Demographic Challenge & AH: major problem of AH for sustaining 18-35 age group – limit number of holiday homes. Theme: Demographic Challenge: Older People Key sustainability compatibilities highlighted between themes: • Demographic Challenge: Older People & AH: supports older people remaining at home, helping to maximise independence and support health and well-being • Demographic Challenge: Older People & Access: locally based services reduces the need to travel, providing a long term approach to improved access.

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• Demographic Challenge: Older People & Young People: support inter-generational links i.e. care of old/young people could have symbiotic relationship Key sustainability compatibilities highlighted between themes: • Demographic Challenge: Older People & AH: second home purchases force up house prices for local people – place conditions on availability of second homes Theme: Thriving Communities: Safer and & Healthy & Fit Communities Key sustainability compatibilities highlighted between themes: • Thriving Communities & AH: there is an overall need to integrate the provision of AH to ensure healthy and safe communities – ensure these are built to a high specification for sustainable construction • Thriving Communities & Access: improved access supports health and wellbeing • Thriving Communities & Economy: Healthier workforce leads to a stronger economy – implement healthy workplace schemes Key sustainability compatibilities highlighted between themes: • Thriving Communities & Environment/Access: take measures to ‘design out crime’ (eg Poundbury has quaint alleyways for muggers!) and provide leisure facilities to prevent boredom-induced petty crime • Thriving Communities & Economy: development of private health care services may adversely impinge on the accessibility of service provision Theme: Thriving Communities: Building strong and inclusive communities Key sustainability compatibilities highlighted between themes: • Thriving Communities & Affordable Housing: self-build homes (and community land) provides opportunities to link volunteers and localise decision making – need to support and link proposal with parish plans • Thriving Communities & Demographic challenge: opportunity to build networks with older and younger people through parish plans Key sustainability compatibilities highlighted between themes: • Thriving Communities & Housing: housing/land use can have adverse impacts on the environment Theme: Thriving Communities: Culture Key sustainability compatibilities highlighted between themes: • Culture & Inclusive communities/demographic challenge: opportunities to promote social inclusion by better integration of voluntary sector (cultural) into service delivery Key sustainability incompatibilities highlighted between themes: • Culture & Environment: increase access may promote increased travel – need to implement an ‘access to culture’ transport plan

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Annex 5 Collated feedback from exercise 3: recommendations for supporting the delivery of sustainability through implementing the community strategy Workshop participants were asked on an individual basis to identify recommendations for supporting the wider delivery of sustainable development through the Community Strategy. Recommendations are grouped under the following headings. Leadership within the Council: • Sustainability needs to be placed on the agenda of the executive board • Member involvement is needed – both with a sustainability champion but also to establish a general commitment to sustainability so it is not just an ‘add on’. • There needs to be clearer policies and less strategy’s on sustainability • Needs greater awareness raising and dissemination of sustainability principles and training to understand and embed for members and wider partnership organisations • For the Chief Executive to want this to happen. Also needs to understand what it means and to ‘champion’ sustainability • Improve understanding of sustainability – ensure training for members • Provide positive leadership which embeds sustainability within entire strategy • Integrate recommendations from the sustainability working into member training • Ensure that Council priorities and spending plans truly reflect the sustainable community strategy • SSW to influence GOSW and SWRDA to drive sustainability agenda. Need to support leadership to provide direction on the challenges and conflicts that emerge. Local Strategic Partnership: • Improved interaction between LSP and service providers – LSP involvement in the Local Transport Plan was limited • Make sustainability implications A MUST for all DSP committee reports • There must be a clearly named group/organisation responsible for sustainability (even though it is cross cutting) • Sustainability needs to be embedded into all LSP members work • Agree new structure for working and resource groups better eg, economy has primarily public sector members active. Need shorter and more effective meeting or video conferences. • Form a sustainability group to address key issues identified by themes in workshop, need to ensure more effective joint working. • Have a sustainability co-ordinator within the Partnership • LSP members should as an organisation have their own sustainability strategy • Take a broad view across all aspects of the sustainable community strategy Support for LA officers: • Sustainability capacity within the County Council is limited and additional requirements need to be recognised • Need to recognise the difference between DCC responsibilities/reach and partnership working • Communication and sharing of information is essential – as is joint working • Establish a sustainability ‘champion’ contact for advice (could be an individual or a group) • Build on LA experts and good practice • Prioritise sustainability within corporate aims so that it feeds down through service plans • Work in collaboration to ensure sustainability of resources

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• Sustainability shaper ruler for all! • Free up time to fully understand the Sustainable Community Strategy and embed within day to day work • Develop a strategy to deploy officer time to best effect to deliver community strategy, focussed on co-ordination leading to action Bridging Group: • Encourage use of sustainability principles in all Local Community Partnerships • Essential to ensure a 2 way ‘line’ of communication from district LSPs and DSP • Need to link with theme groups and have sustainability awareness raising and training • Encourage delivery of sustainable parish and community plans • Think long term and beyond geographical boundaries – retain global persective • Could help spread sustainability message to local community planning groups • Establish a direct link between community strategy officers and service deliverers – communication currently convoluted Theme Groups: • Greater cross/joint working with defined leadership of outcome • Theme Chairs need to champion sustainability • Need to have stronger links between themes and have an opportunity to discuss compatibilities and incompatibilities between themes eg ‘speed dating’. • Spread sustainability thinking/approaches to the theme groups - it would be useful if each theme group had a sustainability champion that would be a key point of contact Resource and Training Requirements: • DCC has developed a sustainability appraisal process and is in the process of developing a training package that could be offered to theme group representatives • Need to develop a training package for sustainability champions • Need to be realistic about the resource commitment and ensure this is properly funded • Extend sustainability training to wider group of officers to help embed a common consensus on what sustainability is • Improve capacity of officers to meet on collective/cross cutting work and skills to be able to work together • Resource events on sustainability • Use/develop a web-based resource (which provides resources including best practice) in making sustainability a reality • Share resources and training sessions between DSP partners and district LSPs • Clear need for sustainability understanding/training within each theme group • Clearly identify and ring fence funds for training • Appreciate, value and share local resources • Share the learning in informal settings • Support integrated workshops amongst members and officers • Up-skilling – building on the workforce @ L2 – L3 and beyond • Enhance in-house support for sustainable development • Disseminate simple techniques to use Sustainability • Apply sustainability principles to every outcome of theme group • Sustainability assessment to focus on overall development of new dialogue/partnerships and projects and robust monitoring

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• Practically focussed sustainability assessment as part of ‘fabric’ of policy and strategy development and delivery • Address sustainability in parish planning • Sustainability needs to become part of day job • Improve definition of sustainability to avoid portraying environment only in terms of limits Theme specific comments: • Olympics theme: o put sustainability upfront in all 12 themes of Olympic legacy o Use Olympics as an opportunity to encourage/promote/demonstrate sustainable transport (even within context of Relief road if built) • Environment theme: o tends to pick up sustainability but has backword looking approach focussing on older industries eg agriculture. It needs to embrace modern technologies and new developments if there is to be a truly sustainable economy and community strategy. o should not over-ride the economy – there needs to be a balance i.e. a thriving economy whilst respecting environmental assets. o May need to set challenging carbon emission targets • Access: the Community Strategy should take a longer term view of transport and access so that the LTP can be ‘embedded’ within it • Economy: o Business/private sector: need to apply the ‘4 Es’ according to their priorities. Engage business through awareness raising • Voluntary/community sector: need to apply the ‘4 Es’ • Residents: need to encourage citizenship/participation • Culture: need to establish an ‘access to culture transport plan’ and integrate cultural voluntary sector with mainstream and partnership delivery • Affordable housing: embed sustainable construction techniques within all new housing. Promote building of sustainable homes by putting conditions on planning approval. • Consider the opportunities that Dorset’s demographic profile offers • Tackle rural transport issues by consultation with community • Integrate ruler (sustainability) principles into Health Gain Partnership work plan • Need to bring together joint economy/environment leadership (DCC and DSP) to deliver sustainable development Others: • Improved governance across authorities particularly between Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole where the splitting of functions has led of difficulties in producing consistent policies. • Bear in mind sustainability is not the only cross cutting principle – equalities and diversity is equally important • Need to develop a mechanism for organisations who are involved with sustainability to input into the process and share best practice • Address difficult issues such as wind turbines instead of side stepping them. • DCC should take positive attention to reducing CO2 emissions • Make the sustainability programme manageable – not all at once • Encourage challenge and response • Don’t be afraid to make bold decisions • There is too much ‘proofing’ of activity eg equality, sustainability, old/young people, rural etc. Need to focus on delivery.

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Next steps • Implement, through discussions with theme groups, the conclusions of the assessment • Identification of the key conflicts within the strategy and a methodology to debate and try to resolve in a sustainable way • Sustainability needs to be ‘integrated’ within the strategy rather than only pulled out in beginning • In developing the LAA (2008-2011) hold a joint event, linking the Community Strategy and LAA • Hold regular discussions on sustainability so it is integrated into the ‘day job’. • Improve partnership links – between Las and private and voluntary sector.

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Annex 6 Detailed Theme specific commentary This Annex links to Section 8 which contains an overarching theme specific commentary. This section provides further detail, broadly identifying sustainability opportunities, risks and recommendations against the key outcomes for each theme. Olympic Opportunity for Dorset Theme Commentary For the purpose of this appraisal, each of the 12 ‘Legacies’ has been reviewed below, with ‘sustainability recommendations’ proposed for each. In many cases the same issues are addressed in more detail in other themes reviewed in the Strategy. Outcome 1: Improved transport infrastructure and access, with the Weymouth Relief Road open and in use, and an integrated road and rail based public transport system offering improved reliability and accessibility for road-based public transport serving Weymouth and Portland with more frequent and faster trains to and from Weymouth. Opportunities: • If a serious attempt was made to ‘divert’ passenger and freight travel off the roads and onto ‘new’ rail services, then there may be potential to reduce some high-carbon travel in the county.

Risks: • This proposed legacy would actually increase the amount of ‘travel’ being undertaken by increasing the capacity of the transport infrastructure. This will inevitably increase existing ‘high- carbon’ transport emissions, and also add to the total volume of emissions from transport by generating ‘new’ travel. • The route of the proposed Weymouth relief road will impact on biodiversity in Dorset

through its effects on protected areas, and the wider landscape and natural environment. • Improved road/rail links may provide additional access for commuters from elsewhere in

the county, supporting the desire of many people to live in more rural areas – thereby increasing demand and prices for property in those areas, and contributing to the lack of affordable housing in Dorset’s rural towns and villages.

Recommendations: • A long-term approach needs to be taken, accepting the need to move to a ‘low-carbon’

economy in the future. Whilst one response to this will be use of new fuels, and more environmentally friendly vehicles, these changes will not tackle other issues such as congestion, noise, land for infrastructure, community severance and road safety. These will only be addressed by looking at measures that consider the accessibility of services and facilities, (health, education, employment etc), and not just mobility.

Outcome 2: Creation of Europe’s top international sailing venue at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, including improved facilities and a new marina for the benefit of the whole of Dorset. Opportunities: • An ‘exemplar’ development using Sustainable Construction techniques (resource wise,

using local materials, suppliers and labour etc.) • illustrating the new low carbon economy, for example using on-site renewable energy. • It also provides an ideal opportunity to demonstrate how to provide ‘low-carbon’ transport

options/access. Risks:

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• May have detrimental effects on environment and biodiversity depending on location, design and construction. Particularly important in potentially important and fragile marine and coastal environments.

Recommendations: • This element of the ‘legacy’ proposes that the sailing venue will benefit all of Dorset. It will

be important to determine how this will be achieved, and what benefits will accrue – particularly to those who may be excluded from any use of the facilities, or potential to benefit from any economic activity associated with it.

Outcome 3: Increased participation by people of all ages in sport, play and leisure activities. (Aspiration, no measures proposed) Opportunities: • Will help in improving the wider physical and mental health of people in Dorset. Risks: • On the specific aspect of sailing, this may have limited appeal to some parts of the

population, particularly those on lower incomes, more remote from coastal area, and with limited access to relevant facilities.

• Providing a ‘top European facility’ implies lots of competitors / spectators traveling to the facility. It will be important to consider what impact this has on high-carbon travel, and a low-carbon economy.

Recommendations: • The impetus for more participation in sport in general created by the Olympics should be

captured in all communities in the County, not just focused on or around marine events. This will generate the optimum benefits in terms of health and well-being, whilst avoiding potential increases in (high-carbon) travel.

Outcome 4: Increase in general levels of health and reduction in level of obesity in all ages of Dorset's population through more healthy, active lifestyles. (Aspiration, no measures proposed) Opportunities: • Improvements to physical / mental health and well-being. • Could contribute to a reduction in high-carbon travel through increased walking and

cycling. Recommendations: • Consideration needs to be given to how to promote and deliver walking and cycling as

solutions to travel and access needs ahead of more transport infrastructure. Decisions on location and service delivery will also influence use of these modes.

Outcome 5: Weymouth and Portland becomes a centre of international marine and leisure excellence with a view to stimulating Dorset's economy, increasing wage levels and providing more year round employment. (Aspiration, no measures proposed) Opportunities: • This could offer new employment opportunities to people in Dorset, helping more of the

community to access jobs. • Depending on the industries and companies that are involved, and the products and

services they offer, there is an opportunity to embrace low-carbon sectors, and help move to this future economic base.

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Risks: • Focus may be on elements of marine and leisure industries that are high-carbon in use

and construction. For example high powered motor boats / yachts. • Creating a centre of excellence may increase earnings levels – for some, but potentially

this increases the disparity with those not able to access employment in the new industries, as well as exacerbating the differences with those ‘excluded’ by ability, location etc. There is potential that this will not create jobs for the local communities.

• There is also a danger of encouraging more commuting for those well paid and likely to want a ‘rural’ location to live in. This would be more likely if the increased road and rail links discussed above are also in place.

Recommendations: • Consideration should be given to what sectors will be ‘sustainable’ in the long-term, specifically avoiding a dependence on high-carbon industries, and locating these in appropriate locations. Outcome 6: Improved economic opportunities for wider Dorset, with access to quality employment, where young people can see they have a future. (Aspiration, no measures proposed) Opportunities: • This could offer new employment opportunities to people in Dorset, helping more of the

community to access jobs. Risks: • May not be in low-carbon sectors or industries, compromising long-term goals, and the

future sustainability of the Dorset economy. Recommendations: • Important to build learning and skills into new economic activity and development,

particularly sustainability skills, to ensure that economic activity will be long-term. • Need to ensure that new economic opportunities build on the local distinctiveness of

Dorset, otherwise this ‘unique selling point’ may be compromised in the future with negative economic impacts. This includes maintaining the integrity of the wider environment in the County – an important positive feature of Dorset, by balancing development pressures with environmental protection.

Outcome 7: Well trained and more highly skilled people in work or volunteering to support local communities and sustain the local economy well beyond the Games. (Aspiration, no measures proposed) Recommendations: • Need to include sustainability skills, and an understanding of a ‘long-term’ approach in

order to ensure ongoing benefits. • Also need to make sure that opportunities to acquire skills are open to all, avoiding

exclusion by access, age, cost etc. • It will also be important to make sure that the people of Dorset are engaged with the

Games, so that they will participate in volunteering etc. This includes participation in decision-making.

Outcome 8: International recognition of Dorset as a desirable county to visit, that offers a warm welcome with improved customer care and quality service international standards, backed up by high quality visitor accommodation.

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Opportunities: • This could provide added incentive to maintain, and enhance Dorset’s environment,

heritage and natural biodiversity, as these are all positive aspects of the county’s image. • It provides a perfect opportunity to promote quality local food and drink as another means

of ‘differentiating’ Dorset as a destination – providing a boost to the local economy. Risks: • Increased tourism as a result of improved quality, and positive image is beneficial to the

economy of Dorset, but may also generate more high-carbon travel, both in coming to Dorset and once in the county.

Recommendations: • Important to consider long-term and low-carbon approach and solutions. • Also need to think about what this may mean in terms of resource use and what would be

a ‘sustainable’ tourism solution for the longer term. Outcome 9: A greater understanding of diversity and multiculturalism, including improved access and facilities in the area for visitors and local people with disabilities. Opportunities: • Measures in this area could help the people of Dorset ‘celebrate’ diversity and

distinctiveness. • Improved access to facilities and services may help address ‘access to basic services’,

particularly health (physical and mental), for groups who are currently excluded / disadvantaged.

Risks: • The wider community may become disenfranchised if there is ‘positive discrimination’ to

minority groups or sectors of the population, with no corresponding wider engagement in the opportunities presented here.

• Some short-term solutions to this legacy aspiration could have negative impacts on goals in other areas, for example moving to low-carbon travel, and the low-carbon economy.

Recommendations: • Access to services and facilities should be provided in the most sustainable way, which

may mean distributing delivery to the community rather than ‘transporting’ the community to services. This may also help with integration, bringing potentially excluded groups back into their communities and help to reduce high-carbon travel particularly when connected to the proposed locally based multi-use community centre facilities.

Outcome 10: Sustain the enhanced international profile of Dorset and through this continue to develop interest in the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site, cultural activities and Dorset's economic offer. SSW has not been commissioned to undertake a detailed review of this particular aspect and has not been given sufficient time or material to invest in further background research. However, potential sustainability opportunities include amongst others: • Equality of access to the countryside • Promotion of local products • Promotion of sustainable tourism Risks:

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• There is a risk that developments arising from the raised profile of these features could damage the natural environment that is at the heart of the positive profile. Unsustainable construction, high-carbon transport solutions, excessive resource use etc.

• Increased house prices and transport generated Recommendations: • Any activity needs to be mindful of the local environment and natural biodiversity. • Local people need to be actively involved in decision making related to these elements,

and local economies supported through supply chains of local goods and services. There needs to be local buy-in to decisions, and ‘ownership’ of the natural and cultural assets that provide the positive image of Dorset.

• Long-term approaches need to be taken, as these assets have to support the local economy and community into the future.

Outcome 11: Provide a stimulus to improvement in the social, cultural and economic fabric of Weymouth and Portland together with improving the supply of housing accommodation, including affordable housing. Opportunities: • This proposed legacy offers the opportunity to enhance local distinctiveness and

celebrate the diversity of community within the area. • It also offers scope for using local good and services, and for developing housing using

sustainable construction techniques. Recommendations: • New housing needs to be built mindful of resource use, sustainable construction, and

location – access to services, facilities, employment etc. • To ensure the stimulus has long-term effects, it is also important to build in learning and

skills acquisition – particularly sustainability skills – to help achieve these long-term results.

Outcome 12: Dorset to achieve a step change in its environmental and sustainability performance including energy and water use; waste & recycling; travel; food; materials and wildlife. Opportunities: • This would have positive impacts on natural resource use in Dorset. • It will also contribute to a low-carbon economy, and help reduce high-carbon travel. • It will support local economies by encouraging local sourcing of goods and services,

and it will positively benefit the local environment and biodiversity.

Recommendations: • It will be important to include acquisition of sustainability learning and skills to ensure that

the ‘step change’ in these areas is maintained into the future. • It will also be important to ensure that the community understands and is engaged in

decision-making processes that lead to these step changes. They need to be empowered, and also take ownership of many of the aspects in order to ensure the legacy is genuinely sustainable.

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Commentary on the ‘Providing affordable, sustainable and appropriate housing’ Theme In the ‘Current and Future Trends’ discussion that introduces this theme there is a consideration of some overall goals related to the provision of Housing see Section entitled ‘What we want to see’. As this sets out the overall direction of this part of the Community Strategy, it seems appropriate to appraise these goals as well as the planned ‘Outcomes’ that are listed separately. Commentary on the overarching goals is followed by specific commentary on the outcomes. Increased supply of Affordable Housing (AH) Opportunities: • More housing could help meet people’ basic needs in respect of accommodation. • It may also help the move to a low carbon economy through the adoption of sustainable building techniques for housing, and could also boost local economies through choosing to use local materials and services (including workforce). • It also provides an opportunity to enhance local distinctiveness through design and choice of materials – promoting the local vernacular. Risks: An inappropriate location, and/or volume of development could adversely impact on the environment and biodiversity of the county. Particular areas of concern might be heathland and coastal habitats.

Recommendations: • Well located affordable housing developments could have positive impacts on the need to travel, and the use of high-carbon modes of travel. All location decisions should take account of these factors. • Consideration also needs to be given to how to ensure that ‘new’ housing is actually taken up by those most in need, and not just consumed for ‘second homes’ or holiday properties, further weakening communities and leading to closure of local facilities etc. Increased wage levels to boost affordability of housing Opportunities: • Could help address inequalities in meeting basic needs in respect of housing. • Could help attract key workers Recommendations: • Need to gain a full understanding of the connections between increased wage levels and

boosting affordable housing • Make running costs low in the long term by adopting high standards of sustainable

construction Meeting needs of Dorset employers Opportunities: • Appropriate locations for affordable housing could improve access to basic needs such as

employment, and could help reduce high-carbon travel. • Offering better sustainability Learning & Skills for a workforce fit for the future Risks:

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• Inappropriate location of new housing, for example in transport corridors, near Bournemouth Airport, or industrial locations may have detrimental effects on people’s physical and mental health, contributing to health inequalities.

Recommendations: • It will be important to consider long-term approaches, reflecting issues such as climate

change (flooding, sea-level rise), and regional strategies and goals (for example economic and transport strategies).

• Consideration needs to given to future employment patterns. For example, the move to a low-carbon economy may see growth in sectors such as organic agriculture – which could lead to increased demands for affordable housing in rural areas.

Flexible and appropriate housing Opportunities: • Could improve physical and mental health and well-being by providing housing more

suited to people’s needs, and which can adapt to changing needs for example those of an increasingly ageing population.

• Building the ‘right’ housing, can help satisfy more demand, and therefore reduce inequalities.

• ‘More appropriate’ housing may mean building smaller properties to reflect demographic changes in households, which may lead to resource use savings.

• It also provides the opportunity to take a long-term approach to housing, building in adaptability to future climate change.

Recommendations: • All new housing should be developed with these goals in mind, and meet emerging

standards that support them.

Environmental sustainability Opportunities: • Could improve physical and mental health and well-being through more sustainable

construction approaches. • Will support more efficient use of resources. • By using local goods and services, including labour, will support local economy. • Contributes to taking a long-term approach, considering issues such as climate change. Recommendations: • Must take the opportunity to develop sustainable learning and skills in order to make

sustainable / long-term solutions. For example sustainable building skills to maintain current buildings as well as future developments.

• As highlighted in the cross cutting recommendations, Dorset County Council should be aware of the new and ambitious requirements of the evolving RSS, draft PPS on climate change, Code for Sustainable Homes and those enshrined within the South West’s sustainable construction charter Future Foundations.

Outcome 1: More affordable housing provided through planning policies Opportunities: • Increased quotas for affordable housing could make it easier for people to find accommodation, thus helping reduce inequalities in access to housing.

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• Developing a County-wide empty property strategy to reduce the number of empty and under-occupied homes provides an opportunity to reduce wasted energy and resources in empty house as well as those used to build potentially unnecessary new housing. Risks: • Increasing pressure on the Planning System to release more land (and more quickly) could lead to damage to the natural environment and biodiversity in Dorset – features that are major attractions for people living in the county and which underpin major employers such as tourism. • Depending on where the new housing is located, this may contribute to high-carbon travel, e.g. if it is located away from services, employment, education etc.

Recommendations: • Need to ensure that location decisions do not compromise attempts to reduce high-carbon travel, nor risk causing unacceptable damage to the natural environment of Dorset. Outcome 2: Better and more co-ordinated use of land Opportunities: • The Housing Market Assessment will provide a good opportunity to widen community participation, and include the people of Dorset in decision-making processes. • The proposed county-wide policies and protocols on land assembly and land disposal could help speed up the process of releasing land and construction, which would help to reduce inequality of access to housing. Risks: • See comment on transport in Outcome 1 above.

Recommendations: • See comment on transport in Outcome 1 above.

Outcome 3: Increased investment Opportunities: • Increased investment for affordable housing could make it easier for people to find accommodation, thus helping reduce inequalities in access to housing.

Risks: • If the comment about employers using their own assets is directed at releasing their own land for development, this can be detrimental to the local environment / biodiversity where this is previously ‘undeveloped’ but part of a site with brownfield status.

Recommendations: • Investment should be concentrated on ‘sustainable construction’, quality design, respect for local distinctiveness, and protection of the landscape and habitat in development locations. Outcome 4: New ways of meeting housing need Opportunities: • New approaches such as Community Land Trusts and ‘self-build’ could help engage and involve communities in determining how to resolve housing issues. This may also help build capacity in communities, and empower them in future involvement in decision making.

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• These approaches could also offer a route to improvements in resource use, local sourcing, and reductions in high-carbon travel through ‘local’ location decisions. • The measures proposed for improving access to housing for people from minority communities and marginalised groups provide opportunities for reducing inequalities of access to housing for them, and also for improved physical and mental well-being. • They also offer opportunities to support and celebrate diversity in the community. Risks: • Providing some people with additional support in order to access housing may help preserve the current problems of affordability, and make it harder for those who cannot access such help – increasing exclusion in some areas. • There are also risks though, in not ensuring that the community is involved in decision making about ‘positive’ measures to support minorities and excluded groups, and fully understands the benefits of ‘diversity’.

Recommendations: • When adopting new methods, there should still be a focus on ‘sustainable construction’, quality design, respect for local distinctiveness, and protection of the landscape and habitat in development locations. Outcome 5: More effective local authority enabling Recommendations: • There is an opportunity here to introduce sustainability learning and skills as part of this increase of capacity and expertise, to ensure consistency with addressing long-term sustainability issues.

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Commentary on ‘Developing Dorset’s Economy’ Theme outcomes Outcome 1: Improve infrastructure and connectivity Opportunities: • Move to lower-carbon and more sustainable forms of travel. • Improved health and wellbeing through more cycling and walking. • Benefits the environment (helping to reduce green house gas emissions and improve local air quality) and biodiversity by switching to more sustainable forms of transport. • Investing in sustainability learning & skills Risks: • Health and well-being might be adversely impacted by extra traffic eg more pollution, noise, community severance etc. • The environment may be negatively affected as a result of new transport infrastructure and/or increased volumes of travel. This could also affect local distinctiveness / cultural heritage. • New development has adverse impacts on the environment, including biodiversity. Recommendations: • To support sustainable economic development an emphasis should be placed on increasing access as opposed to mobility via improvements to infrastructure. Innovative and low carbon ways to improve access could be deployed for example increased support for the use of ICT enabled facilities • Invest in sustainable learning & skills • Support the increased uptake of low carbon fuels locally. • Encourage and support industry to implement green travel plans to help ease congestion and boost workforce wellbeing and productivity • The plan recognises the need for employment land to be suitably located to encourage shorter journeys to work and so save carbon emissions. To ensure this is delivered, the strategy should integrate standards to ensure that all physical development (including housing) projects: o Strive to meet and improve upon current standards and best practice in sustainable construction. (E.g. Ecohomes, BREEAM and Future Foundations etc). o Integrate onsite renewables and ensure construction is in keeping with existing local design practices and materials. • Ensure existing natural environments (including biodiversity) are secured and ideally enhanced and cultural and heritage resources are protected and maintained. • Maximise community safety and well-being through design and construction. • Minimise the need to travel and maximise opportunities for low carbon transport options. For further information see detailed commentary contained within the access theme below. Outcome 2: Improve skills base, development and employability of the workforce Opportunities: • Developing skills programmes to enable the county to be sufficiently equipped to meet the sustainability challenges of the 21st century, including those in low carbon technologies and catering for our increasingly ageing population • Skills programmes are targeted at those most in need, helping promote social inclusion Risks: • Skills do not sufficiently pick up on the urgency of the sustainability agenda and the county is not able to address the challenges effectively • Poor/high carbon access to training and/or skills opportunities are restricted to those with own transport or close to towns;

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• Lack of targeting for those most in need Recommendations: • Support voluntary (paid and unpaid) workplace opportunities • Support access to skills opportunities by public transport and to those with disabilities. This could include using ICT based learning to reduce the need for car travel to access training. • Target skills programmes to the needs of local workforces/people/economies and acknowledge the local context (eg any seasonal unemployment, childcare provision etc.) • Increase the availability and range of learning opportunities including supporting the basic skills and skills for life agendas to promote social and economic inclusion • Actively promote skills to support a low carbon approach for all sectors and boost emerging sectors that aims to deliver sustainable solutions eg renewables (including identifying skills gaps) and skills for sustainably constructed housing/premises • The implications of changing demographics – eg ageing population and the potential impacts on the social care profession – need to be considered and planned for ie higher demand for professionals already in short supply • Following the Common Agriculture Policy reform, consider the potential for providing training courses to farmers so they can effectively market their produce. Outcome 3: Increased enterprise, innovation, investment and competitiveness within the Dorset economy Opportunities: • Enhance business competitiveness and create business opportunities. • Put less demand on natural resources, providing more opportunity to live within environmental limits. • Support the county’s self sufficiency and ensure long term running costs are minimised by incorporating high standards of resource efficiency and renewables. • Stimulate local economies and support local communities. Risks: • Ongoing increased business costs (e.g. for energy, water and waste disposal) adversely impacting on competitiveness, and potentially on communities if organisations are forced to relocate or even close. • Increased economic growth may result in heavy resource use (e.g. materials, water and fossil fuels), with increased environmental impacts and dependence on importing goods • Not realizing potential to support the agriculture industry by promoting local food and drink Recommendations: • Promote resource efficiency across all sectors, both as a driver to better business competitiveness and as a step towards living within environmental limits. Business support organisations (in particular Envirowise) offer free advice to SMEs on increasing resource efficiency, in particular waste minimisation with significant savings to be made. • Actively support businesses to protect themselves against energy price hikes and insecurity of supply by increasing energy efficiency and use of renewables. • Ensure that the ‘Direct from Dorset’ programme is fully supported (including resourced and owned by the members) to help support local economies and more sustainable production and consumption. The DMO should fully promote the South West Tourism’s Green Accreditation Scheme and link with the South West sustainable visitor campaign – future Footprints with its emphasis on ‘Try Local, Buy Local’. • Support opportunities for the voluntary and community sector. • Consider opportunities for supporting workforce well-being and therefore improved productivity. This could include flexible working conditions (eg homeworking, staggered working

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times etc), promotion of physical exercise (including cycling/walking to/from work) and ensuring onsite facilities eg provision of green space, relaxation zones etc. • Encourage business to adopt a sustainable procurement policy including a commitment to consider local procurement of goods and services. For example catering facilities could offer locally sourced (ideally organic) fruit and vegetables, thereby also supporting local producers. • Support innovation and the development of low carbon sectors including environmental technologies such as renewables. • Review support for high-carbon sectors in the light of the need to reduce carbon emissions and future fuel costs. Outcome 4: Strengthen Dorset’s Economic performance through partnership working Opportunities: • Enhance business competitiveness and create business opportunities. • Put less demand on natural resources, providing more opportunity to live within environmental limits. • Support the county’s self sufficiency and ensure long term running costs are minimised by incorporating high standards of resource efficiency and renewables. • Stimulate local economies and support local communities. Risks: • Ongoing increased business costs (e.g. for energy, water and waste disposal) adversely impacting on competitiveness, and potentially on communities if organisations are forced to relocate or even close. • Increased economic growth results in heavy resource use (e.g. materials, water and fossil fuels), with increased environmental impacts and dependence on importing goods • Opportunities to support sustainable tourism and local communities are omitted. Recommendations: • Ensure opportunities to engage the voluntary and community sector are fully explored. • Economic development support must include the promotion of resource efficiency initiatives to help enhance long term business competitiveness. As a minimum business should be signposted to the various support organisations (for example Envirowise, Carbon Trust and the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme) to access often free resource efficiency advice, helping reduce costs and impact on the environment. • As above, businesses should be supported to protect themselves against energy price hikes and insecurity of supply by increasing energy efficiency and use of renewables. • Ensure that local communities (including hard to reach groups) have the opportunity to

become actively involved

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Commentary on the ‘Improved access to services, employment and leisure’ Theme Commentary against ‘Current situation and future trends’ text

The Strategy states that “Improving transport infrastructure is a key element in improving accessibility”. However, this is not necessarily the result. Making such improvements may improve ‘mobility’, and allow more people to travel greater distances, and in shorter times, but it does not automatically mean that they can access any more services or facilities. As is highlighted in this ‘current situation’ section there are a number of different access problems being experienced in Dorset, including ‘remoteness’ from services, employment, education etc in some rural areas, and an ‘excess of mobility’ in urban areas leading to congestion. In neither circumstance is increasing transport infrastructure necessarily the appropriate solution, or the most sustainable response. Whilst rightly suggesting that those people and goods that need to be moved should be done so ‘more sustainably’, there does not seem to be any correlation between this and the proposed plans to ‘improve road / rail links across the county and to improve access to the airport and ports’. As much of the strategy in this theme appears to be driven from the underlying Transport Plans for Dorset, it is worth briefly considering, and offering some appraisal commentary on the key elements of those plans. Opportunities: • A desire to move to more low-carbon travel, and more sustainable forms of travel. • Improved health through more cycling and walking. • Benefits for the environment and biodiversity from switch to more sustainable forms of transport – less pollution, volume etc. Risks: • Increased transport infrastructure likely to increase amount of travel, including high-carbon elements. • Health and well-being might be adversely impacted by extra travel, traffic. For example, more pollution, noise, community severance. • The environment may be negatively affected as a result of new transport infrastructure and/or increased volumes of travel. This could also affect local distinctiveness and cultural heritage. • The approaches proposed in the Transport Plans are not necessarily addressing the long-term, and the move to a low-carbon, and potentially more ‘localised’ economy and society. Recommendations: • The Community Strategy related to access to services and facilities should engage more with the four underlying objectives within the Transport Plans, which are intended to provide the priorities for policies in this area. They are: Congestion, Accessibility, Road Safety and Air Quality. Merely increasing capacity on the infrastructure is unlikely to ‘sustainably’ address these priorities. Outcome 1: Implement the Regional and Local Transport Plans and put in place a range of transport solutions that are safe, efficient, and fair and encourage greater use of alternatives to the car.

Opportunities: • Could help address inequalities in meeting people’s needs. • May help in the move to low-carbon forms of travel – although this depends on use. For example bus or rail services that are not fully exploited may be higher carbon than the car. • Improved road safety through enforced speed limits could have obvious benefits for people’s health and well-being, but could also have beneficial effects on local environments and

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biodiversity, resource usage and emergency and local authority services. It would also reduce high-carbon travel / emissions. Recommendations: • Give as much attention (and funding) to the other measures under the Transport Plan priorities as is given to increasing infrastructure. • Consider ‘demand management’ as an alternative to the car. For example, using ‘soft-measures’ such as Green Travel Plans, ‘Individual travel planning’, and a ‘one-stop’ source of transport information. • Think about the location of services and facilities, particularly new ones, and the impact that has on accessibility. Outcome 2: Develop access and transport solutions which take account of the differing needs of individuals and communities.

Opportunities: • Could help support local distinctiveness, solutions appropriate to the location, such as Demand Responsive Transport in rural areas for example, or seasonal services in tourist ‘hot-spots’. • Would help reduce inequalities in access to employment, education, or leisure and social facilities. For example, evening bus services aimed at teenagers wanting to access local leisure resources. • Has the potential to help increase community involvement, both in decision making about solutions and also in provision – for example community transport. • Increase accessibility through transport to healthcare services has the potential to reduce inequalities of access to healthcare.

Risks: • Could actually increase travel, and high-carbon travel depending on solutions. For example ‘bussing’ patients to centralised healthcare facilities. Recommendations: • Build on ‘accessibility planning’ undertaken as part of LTP2 submissions to focus responses in areas of most need / most exclusion. • Consideration also needs to be given to potential for delivering services ‘locally’ as a way of reducing demand for travel. Outcome 3: Build the market in transport provision looking to develop a range of providers including where appropriate the voluntary and community sector to achieve sustainable access solutions. Opportunities: • Would be a way of supporting local suppliers by engaging local providers of transport services – potentially also bio-fuel from local farmers as well. This latter option could encourage lower-carbon modes of travel and help reduce resource usage. It also illustrates more long-term thinking, mindful of a future low-carbon economy and the need to respond to climate change. • Would help reduce inequalities in access to services – access to local facilities, for example evening bus services aimed at teenagers wanting to access local leisure facilities. • Has the potential to help increase community involvement, both in decision making about solutions and also in provision – for example community transport. Recommendations:

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• Consider the obstacles to provision of community-based initiatives, and how such approaches can be successfully integrated with commercial providers without causing friction. • Also pursue opportunities to ‘share’ provision with other public-sector transport users and providers (education, health etc). Outcome 4: Develop a strategic approach seeking to provide equity of services in the County. This will include consideration of shared service provision and the development of sustainable service delivery points enabling communities to provide the services they want and need.

Opportunities: • As above. • This offers opportunities to improve access to services ‘locally’, reducing inequalities. As a result it might reduce high-carbon travel and also cut resource usage. • This approach could also have benefits in enhancing the local sense of community, and promoting local solutions – local distinctiveness. Allied to this, it provides the community with the opportunity to be involved in decision making about services, and delivery, increasing local capacity to become involved in local democracy. Recommendations: • As above (see commentary under Outcomes 2 and 3).

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Commentary on the ‘Safeguarding Dorset’s environment now and for the future’ Theme Outcome 1: Recognise and meet the challenges faced by Dorset due to global climate change. Opportunities: • Provides opportunity to develop sustainability skills and learning. • It also supports taking a long-term view, particularly in response to climate change. • Recognising the challenges should also increase understanding and support for addressing low-carbon travel, and the move to a low-carbon economy. Recommendations: • Include the issue of climate change at all levels of planning and strategy development in the county, considering both mitigation and adaptation. • Adopt sustainable construction techniques which incorporate responses to climate change – for example passive solar heating and cooling techniques. Outcome 2: Protect, conserve and enhance Dorset’s outstanding coast, countryside and marine environment. Opportunities: • Will help enhance the local environment and natural biodiversity. • Improvements to the Dorset environment could also have beneficial effects on people’s health and well-being. • It helps to enhance local distinctiveness, and could also help maintain the attraction of Dorset to tourists, and investors alike, helping to provide employment opportunities. • Increasing use of renewable energy sources could help protect the local environment and biodiversity by moving away from more environmentally damaging fossil fuels. • Effective avoidance and management of waste could help protect the environment and biodiversity – avoiding problems associated with landfill and incineration issues for example. Risks: • When deploying some forms of renewable energy, there may be adverse impacts on the local environment and landscapes. For example some people may object to on shore wind as a source of renewable energy. • Preserving the natural environment in aspic could undermine the ability of rural communities to maintain a sustainable local economy. • The quality of the environment in Dorset is likely to attract more migration (eg commuters and retirees) into rural and coastal areas, with the resultant impacts on house prices and local economy. It could also lead to increases in unsustainable tourism, putting greater pressure on local habitats and ecology. Recommendations: • Ensure that the environment is given due importance when considering developments in these locations, to avoid damaging the feature which attracts both visitors and investors to the county. • Communities need to be supported so they can participate in decision making process, in an informed way, about issues such as where their energy will come from in the future – and be empowered to do so. Outcome 3: Support and secure economic development within environmental limits and developing Dorset’s high quality environmental and marine economic ‘offer’.

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Opportunities: • Has potential benefits in respect of resource use, moving to a low-carbon economy (for example use of local renewables) • Supporting local economies through local sourcing. • It could also help reduce inequalities of access to employment and develop sustainability skills • Provides a route to long-term solutions, developing industries of the future. Risks: • Development of the ‘environmental and marine economic offer’ would need to be done sensitively, to avoid risks of damaging or compromising it. Recommendations: • Focus development in those sectors that offer the potential to help Dorset move to a low-carbon future, whilst also protecting its environmental heritage. Outcome 4: Ensure the sustainable use of natural resources Opportunities: • Will support better resource use • Will support local sourcing of goods and services, encouraging local economies and communities. • Improved energy efficiency, reduced energy use and growth in provision from sustainable sources will also support more sustainable use of resources. • Adopting this approach provides more opportunities to develop sustainability learning and skills. • It will also help with the move to a low-carbon economy, and encourage long-term thinking and strategy. Recommendations: • Ensure that resource efficiency is always an element considered in determining future development, and development locations. • Encourage appropriate development of renewable energy technologies. • Sustainable building methods, and waste construction minimisation should also be adopted to help reduce resource usage and minimise impacts on the Dorset environment. Outcome 5: Support a sustainable local food and farming industry. Opportunities: a. Offers opportunities for reduced resource use (fewer food miles, moves to organic agriculture), and for greater support for local suppliers, local employment and local economies. b. A widespread move to organic agriculture could help reduce carbon usage compared to intensive farming, and contribute to the move towards a low-carbon economy. It would also boost levels of employment in rural areas. c. It would also have an impact on reducing high-carbon travel through fewer food-miles. Recommendations: • A ‘sustainable’ farming and food sector needs to embrace the future low-carbon economy, and moving to an Organic model which uses substantially less inputs would help. • It is also important to develop ‘local’ markets for the products of the farming / food industry to make it truly sustainable. Outcome 6: Provide quality access to the environment of Dorset for all.

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Opportunities: • This has the potential to have benefits for the health and well-being of people in Dorset, through access to quality open space, and the natural environment / wildlife. • It could also help reduce inequalities of access to leisure and learning opportunities. • To reduce high-carbon travel – through design, locating facilities in mixed use developments, and closer to communities. • To improve participation of the community. • Supports local distinctiveness, giving context to a ‘sense of place’ for communities. • Also provides opportunities to encourage long-term thinking and responses, for example a built environment that is adapted / adaptable to future climate change. Risks: • There is however a risk that it could have detrimental effects on fragile landscapes and habitats. • There is a risk of excluding some groups in the community if solutions are ‘too expensive’. Recommendations: • It will be important to consider ‘sustainable tourism’ and access. • It will also be necessary to consider how those groups in the community who are traditionally excluded from, or not engaged with, the natural environment will be addressed.

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Demographic Challenge: Ageing Population Theme Commentary Outcome 1: E-ageing – a strategy and plan to give greater access and use of computers and the internet, broadband and e-learning etc. Opportunities: •••• Support older people to take up the opportunities of greater ICT access eg to

public services, online support/advice, e-learning (including learning about sustainability issues), e-democracy and e-communities/forums/social networking

• Maximise the potential of e-ageing strategies to support the low carbon delivery of services for older people eg by integrating into existing centres/services to avoid the need to travel

Risks: •••• The ‘soft’ barriers to ICT use such as ‘technophobia’, perceived irrelevance etc.

are not addressed resulting in poor take up •••• E-access strategies fail to adequately connect with the shift to low carbon

communities and do not maximise the potential to engage new audiences in sustainable communities

•••• The sustainability impacts on countries supplying the technology/equipment are not addressed

Recommendations: •••• Review latest evidence on the reasons for the ‘digital divide’ and explore through

Older People’s Partnership ensuring this informs ICT strategies •••• Ensure e-ageing strategies are integrated within broader low carbon service

delivery and community development strategies eg through DCC and NHS joint commissioning arrangements

Outcome 2: Ensure all public and private services are equally accessible for older people Opportunities: •••• Improve access for the most hard-to-reach and disadvantaged groups through

creative engagement strategies •••• Improve equality of access through low carbon modes eg mobile services (‘one-

to-many’ rather than ‘many-to-one’ access) and demand responsive public transport

Risks: •••• Smaller pockets of deprivation/exclusion are not picked up •••• Access strategies rely on high carbon modes Recommendations: •••• Integrate access strategies with broader low carbon service delivery and

community development strategies eg through DCC and NHS joint commissioning arrangements

•••• Develop/adopt means of identifying excluded people beyond standard indices of deprivation

Outcome 3: Develop consultation and working practices which incorporate intergenerational approaches and make Dorset a county for all ages Opportunities:

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•••• Develop consultation and working practices that promote a sustainable intergenerational approaches emphasising not only independence and choice but also the necessity to shift to low carbon, resource efficient, community supported/led approaches

Risks: •••• Consultation and working practices around older people fail to connect with the

wider sustainability agenda Recommendations: •••• Consultation around the options for service delivery for older people should

explain the wider sustainability challenge (referencing the Sustainable Community Strategy) and emphasise the importance of developing genuinely sustainable solutions

Outcome 4: Greater integration of partnership working across Older People’s Partnerships, health, social care, local councils, voluntary organisations and commerce. To reduce, eliminate duplication, make best use of limited resources, create speedier responses to service departments. Opportunities: •••• Provide a better, more efficient and ‘customisable’ service for older people •••• Make more efficient use of resources and reduce the need to travel by ‘joining up’

services •••• Promote the ‘Lifetime Homes’ and ‘Secure by Design’ standards to both housing

and community safety partners to support the provision of flexible, adaptable and safe housing to better meet the needs of older people.

Risks: •••• a ‘one size fits all’ approach is adopted Recommendations: •••• Engage with VCS organisations with sustainability expertise who can advise on

genuinely integrated, sustainable solutions that are adaptable to different contexts

•••• Promote ownership of the Sustainable Communities Strategy by those people involved in planning and delivering services for older people

Outcome 5: Improved consistency of service availability across the county and a reduction in post code differences Opportunities: •••• Use improving the consistency of service as an opportunity to embed a

consistently low carbon, sustainable approach fit for the future, sharing best practice in what works

Risks: •••• The service is consistently unsustainable in the long term •••• A focus on consistency discourages innovative, individualised approaches

appropriate to particular local circumstances Recommendations: •••• Gather together examples of sustainable (including low carbon), integrated,

community led best practice in services for older people and ensure that these inform the overall approach

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•••• Ensure that scope for imaginative solutions are encouraged alongside general consistency improvements

Outcome 6: Ensure that services which promote well-being and healthy ageing, for example the Dorset Partnership for Older People (POPP), are sustained through continuing investment. Opportunities: •••• Maximise returns on investments by investing in resource efficient, low carbon

services, which also focus on the prevention of poor health, offering better value in the long term

•••• Related to above – maximise the development of locally based (low carbon) services – potentially integrated into local multi-use service centres

•••• Develop genuinely sustainable models of resource management – covering natural resources, financial resources and ‘human resources’ – maximising input from service users and the development of ‘self-sustaining’ community-managed models

Risks: •••• Valuable services are dependent on vulnerable/short term funding arrangements

and cannot take a long term integrated, sustainable approach to planning •••• Services remain dependent on high carbon modes of access and/or exclude

some groups of older people eg those with particular mobility need •••• Potentially higher upfront capital costs are perceived as a barrier to sustainable

approaches •••• Models are reliant on the capacity of services to be self-sustaining but do not

embed the necessary support mechanisms Recommendations: •••• Review the approach to service deliver to ensure that a preventative, low carbon,

resource efficient (locally embedded where possible) approach is mainstreamed •••• Review best practice in community owned and managed services to inform the

development of the approach Outcome 7: Community engagement should reflect the public’s experiences of services and outcomes to demonstrate how services are impacting people’s lives. Opportunities: • Develop innovative approaches to community engagement which promote informed

involvement in the development of sustainable, integrated solutions • Tap in to local know how and expertise – learning from local people about ‘what

works’ to inform sustainable, integrated approaches • Create a feedback loop in which opportunities for ongoing input (from the

planning/options stage) help to continuously improve the quality and experience of services for older people

Risks: • Engagement is not properly facilitated and does not offer opportunities to explore

genuinely sustainable solutions eliciting ‘knee-jerk’ responses • The understanding and expertise of local people is not acknowledged and/or

maximised in developing the approach to service delivery • Feedback is (or is perceived as) a ‘tick the box’ exercise and people do not see

their input reflected in the development of services

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Recommendations: •••• Service providers themselves should be engaged in the Sustainable Community

Strategy and should have opportunities to explore sustainable, integrated options •••• Draw on best practice to develop creative feedback/consultation models which

offer genuine opportunities for informed input and engagement in both service delivery and the wider sustainability agenda

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Demographic Challenge: Children & Young People Theme Commentary Outcome 1: Are Healthy Opportunities: •••• To adopt a preventative approach to tackling the ill health (both physical/sexual

and mental) of children and YP •••• To furnish children and YP with positive ideas for living balanced, healthy

lifestyles and for keeping themselves well and happy into adulthood •••• To promote healthy lifestyle choices that also support wider sustainability gains

eg reduction in car travel, enhancement/ownership of green/public space (eg through ‘green gyms’ or conservation/local improvement projects), increases in the consumption of fresh local (and organic) produce (promote via ‘5 a day’ campaign)

Risks: •••• Strategies do not focus sufficiently on addressing the, often complex, causes of ill

health eg lack of self-worth or available activities •••• Strategies fail to make the link with wider sustainability concerns which if not

addressed will have detrimental impacts on all of our health eg pollution and poor local air quality, climate change impacts etc.

Recommendations: •••• Schemes to improve the sexual health of YP should focus not just on ‘safe sex’

but also support YP to have confidence in their own choices in the face of peer group pressure and help them understand the reality of young parenthood (drawing on best practice)

•••• Design inclusive healthy living and recreation programmes to maximise sustainability gains for Dorset eg by supporting local producers, establishing ‘green gyms’, reducing the need for high carbon travel and engaging disaffected/marginalised YP

Outcome 2: Stay Safe Opportunities: •••• To take a preventative/early intervention approach to promoting child safety

including ensuring that YP are informed of risks so they can avoid putting themselves in vulnerable situations

•••• To take a preventative approach to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour amongst YP which addresses root causes eg improving YP’s ‘ownership’ of an area to reduce vandalism, work in schools to promote mutual-understanding between YP of different cultural backgrounds or with different needs

Risks: •••• YP and their guardians are made to feel disproportionately anxious about certain

risks to YP, affecting the mental well-being and ‘freedom’ of YP •••• Anti-social behaviour is tackled with a single-issue (rather than integrated)

approach •••• Neglect and abuse in marginalised communities is not picked up on Recommendations: •••• Build on best practice in Dorset and beyond in tackling bullying and produce

guidance that can be shared across the county with all the relevant partners •••• Ensure policies are in place that mean that all YP in the county have access

(through school and elsewhere) to a) a trusted adult (eg a school counsellor or

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nominated teacher) whom they can approach to discuss any abuse or maltreatment they may be suffering and b) information about other sources of advice and support (eg Childline)

•••• Ensure that programmes for children and YP identify and seek to counteract the root causes of anti-social behaviour amongst YP (rather than just dealing with its negative effects)

Outcome 3: Can take part in activities they enjoy Opportunities: •••• Ensure that children & YP have the opportunity to influence and inform the range

of activities available, recognising that some YP may not ‘know what they like’ until they have had opportunities to try new things

•••• Give YP fun opportunities to take on responsibility and trust eg by getting older YP involved in schemes with younger children

•••• Maximise the potential of play and recreation opportunities which support wider sustainability gains eg a local festival which supports YP to learn the history of an area (and feel part of its future) or ‘link up’ with a youth scheme in another part of the world to support awareness of global issues

•••• Reduce the need for high carbon travel eg by ensuring there is some play/recreation space in all communities, by providing mobile leisure/culture opportunities (for instance in isolated rural areas) and/or by developing good quality, cleanly-powered and demand responsive public transport schemes for nearby facilities

Risks: •••• Potentially – a narrow horizon of interests dictate a limited range of activities ie

YP stick with what they know •••• Alternatively – marginalised YP have no influence on (or perceive themselves to

have no influence) or connection to the activities provided leading to a ‘vicious circle’ of non-participation

•••• Activities developed are reliant on high carbon and resource inefficient approaches

Recommendations: •••• Work with youth services and YP to offer ‘taster sessions’ of a wide range of

activities (physical, creative, social etc.) which YP are encouraged to try before deciding on preferences

•••• Develop activities which get YP involved in exploring the history and identity of their local area

•••• Develop schemes which get older YP involved in running activities for younger children (eg mentoring or supporting sports activities)

Outcome 4: Learn new skills and have their achievements recognised Opportunities: •••• Ensure that all YP have the life skills to enable them to participate in

community/society, access basic services and live more sustainable lifestyles (eg all YP should have the basics of – and understand the benefits to – reducing waste and energy efficiency)

•••• To provide YP with a positive experience of education along with the achievements/qualifications that will enable them to access satisfying employment opportunities

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•••• To maximise the potential for new and rewarding learning & skills opportunities associated with the shift to a low carbon economy (eg new technical skills for sustainable construction and renewable energy installation and maintenance)

•••• To maximise the potential of citizenship programmes to engage people in sustainability ie through exploring what it is to live a (socially and environmentally) responsible lifestyle

•••• To use learning about sustainability challenges as a ‘hook’ to engage YP in learning where other subjects may fail to spark their interest

•••• Maximise the potential of e-learning which reduces the need to travel to improve access to education and skills

Risks: •••• Skills programmes are developed in response to short term market forces only

rather than developing skills programmes which will help Dorset to achieve its sustainability aspirations

•••• Learning & skills partners are not engaged in Dorset’s sustainability challenges or equipped to raise awareness amongst YP

•••• Disaffected YP do not have opportunities to learn about sustainability issues or engage in sustainable lifestyle choices

•••• YP engaged in long term ‘unskilled’ employment do not have the opportunity to engage in (potentially unrelated) learning which may only have an intrinsic (rather than employment) value

Recommendations: •••• Ensure that learning strategies offer YP opportunities for both formal skills and

informal learning (eg a community art class) which may simply enhance quality of life

•••• Integrate basic understanding about living more sustainable lifestyles within Basic Skills and Skills for Life programmes

•••• Integrate global citizenship issues (eg climate change, natural resources, fair-trade) into the formal citizenship curriculum and via the various youth councils and forums

•••• Work with learning & skills partners to develop skills strategies that support the shift to a low carbon economy

Outcome 5: Have opportunities to make a positive contribution to their communities Opportunities: •••• Positively engage children and YP in their communities and ‘democracy’

generally, build their confidence and encourage them to feel ownership of their local area and of their future

•••• Develop innovate ways to involve YP in the ‘think global, act local’ message and maximise their creativity in developing sustainable local solutions which respond to wider global issues (eg climate change, poverty and fair-trade etc.)

•••• Develop programmes to engage children and YP in supporting and enhancing local biodiversity and landscapes

Risks: • Engagement is not properly facilitated and elicits ‘knee-jerk’ or single-issue

responses • The most deprived, marginalised and excluded YP are not engaged Recommendations:

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•••• Integrate global citizenship issues (eg climate change, natural resources, fair-trade) into the formal citizenship curriculum and via the various youth councils and forums

•••• Develop innovative approaches to engaging disaffected YP in their community and wider sustainability issues drawing on existing best practice

Outcome 6: Are well provided for, enjoying economic and social well-being Opportunities: •••• To utilise sustainable construction/renovation approaches to improve the quality

of housing to supply healthy, decent and efficient homes for those currently most in need

•••• To improve access to/provision of essential services, learning/training and employment in low carbon, inclusive ways building on best practice (eg in good quality demand responsive public transport schemes)

See also Learning & Skills for Children & YP Risks: •••• Housing stock is ‘improved’ using unsustainable approaches •••• The most deprived, marginalised and excluded YP do not benefit from

improvements in housing and services •••• Access to services, learning and employment exacerbates high carbon patterns

of travel and access Recommendations: •••• Work with housing, learning, employment etc. partners to improve the economic

and social well-being of YP (starting with the most deprived) in sustainable, resource/energy efficient and low carbon ways

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‘Thriving Communities: Safer Communities’ Theme Commentary Opportunities: • Engage local communities to help tackle the occurrence of crime, paying particular attention to engaging those from disadvantaged groups • Promote a preventative approach to health and well-being • Locally based health facilities can improve equality of access in a low carbon way • Potential to involve young people more in decision making and in the community, to instil a sense of positive ownership/pride in local spaces. • Adult mental health strategies have the potential to support more inclusive, safer communities. Risks: • The design/management of the local area exacerbates crime/fear of crime. • Potentially, narrow policies to create ‘safe communities’ eg ‘moving on’ groups of YP could encourage more covert (potentially more dangerous) anti-social behaviour unless backed up by the provision of safe, supervised places for YP to meet. • Health facilities are located in areas not easily accessible to those most in need. Recommendations: • Adopt the ‘Secure by Design’ Design’ standards which have been published by the Association of Chief Police Officers. These highlight recommendations for designing out unsafe areas within a range of facilities including schools, railway stations, homes and parking. Reference to this advice on good practice should be considered to reduce crime and enhance community protection. • The provision of leisure activities, promotion of healthier lifestyles and greenspace will support safe and stronger communities. This can be further strengthened by looking more widely at facilities and activities to engage disaffected YP who may be associated with anti-social behaviour, a key source of crime/fear of crime. • Undertake a preventive approach to tackling petty crime by engaging disaffected individuals within their local community this could include access to sport/leisure activities. • Implement a preventative approach to health and well-being eg green gyms can provide an effective way of engaging individuals whilst benefiting their health and local environment.

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Thriving Communities: Building strong and inclusive communities Theme Commentary Opportunities: • tackling deprivation and exclusion to improve quality of life for the most disadvantaged in a

way that also supports the wider sustainability (eg low carbon) agenda • improving access to community facilities and services in inclusive and low carbon ways eg

central multi-facetted community facilities • providing genuinely lasting legacies for communities by supporting sustainably developed/

constructed and managed community assets • supporting Dorset’s VCS to develop in a genuinely sustainable way (ie one that embeds

resource efficiency, sustainable procurement and a low carbon approach) • developing new learning programmes (which embed sustainability learning) and enhance

the capacity of VCS and communities to resolve local problems in the most sustainable way • enhancing local distinctiveness & diversity and biodiversity to enhance ‘sense of place’ and

identification with and ownership of one’s local area • maximising the role of Dorset’s VCS in helping the county’s citizens to explore the

history/culture of the area (including opportunities to bridge ‘intergenerational’ divides) and linking this to a shared sustainable future

• maximising the role of Dorset’s VCS in supporting mutual respect and understanding between different stakeholder groups eg young people and older residents, long term residents and new migrants, different ethnic groups etc.

• using the opportunities of the sustainability agenda to generate new volunteering/employment opportunities carefully matched to local need

• facilitating more engagement from marginalised groups in community action supporting all members of the community to – not only participate in their community/economy – but to also take on sustainability challenges eg by cutting their waste or CO2

• using the broader sustainability picture (eg climate change, resource efficiency, global development issues etc.) as a ‘hook’ to engage people in local action and democracy (ie ‘think global, act local’)

• …and vice versa: connecting the local issues which people care about (eg affordable housing) with broader issues like the move to more resource efficient, low carbon lifestyles

• developing programmes which support greater understanding of cultural diversity and linking these to wider global issues

• developing and applying innovative approaches to facilitating informed community engagement (which addresses the wider sustainability context as well as local issues)

• supporting local, 'green' and ethical supply chains (to boost local economies and support social and environmental justice)

• supporting a preventative approach to tackling petty crime and vandalism by engaging disaffected individuals (eg excluded school children) in their community

• supporting the VCS and communities to develop well-being strategies which prioritise a preventative approach to ill health including supporting/developing sources of local food

• supporting local planning processes to take a long term, joined up approach to issues like climate change.

Risks: • strategies focus only on short term, local issues rather than addressing the broader long

term sustainability picture • the VCS and community led services exacerbate current patterns of inefficient resource use

and high carbon modes of access • people become increasingly disengaged in local democracy/action and the ‘wider world’ • marginalised groups are further excluded from participation in the now fundamental shift to

sustainable lifestyles

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• community assets are developed in an unsustainable way – in terms of financial, ‘human’ and natural resources – and are therefore not ‘fit for the future’

Key recommendations: Overall: ensure that ‘a county wide strategic approach’ to supporting the voluntary sector and

community development embeds sustainability criteria from the highest level through to delivery. It is also important to ensure the sustainability expertise of those within the VCS is effectively used to deliver the community strategy in the most sustainable way.

• take forward the development of innovative, shared local multi-use (including health/cultural) community facilities (which embed low carbon, inclusive access) as a county-wide priority

• develop guidance to communities re. managing their own assets and services which embeds clear sustainability principles and case studies (building on the Development Trusts model)

• programmes to develop the capacity of the VCS and communities (eg to undertake more service delivery) should embed the full range of sustainability principles (eg in funding criteria)

• integrate sustainability guidance into support packages which inform the implementation of local plans

• integrate sustainability criteria into the development of the 3rd sector commissioning and procurement framework (ie local, ethical and ‘green’ sourcing)

• use the 3D procurement process to support local VCS organisations/infrastructure and, ultimately, the community capacity to be self-sustaining

• the development of ‘democracy packs’ should include resources for engaging people in the ‘think global act local’ message and incentives for communities to take on the sustainability challenge themselves (case studies eg Chew Magna should also be included)

• maximise support available through the ‘Every Action Counts’ programme to support community engagement and learning in the wider sustainability agenda

• integrate sustainability guidance/criteria into support packages for the implementation of local plans (eg parish and neighbourhood) focussing on the positive benefits

• ensure the findings of poverty mapping strategies inform local fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes

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Thriving Communities: Healthy & Fit Communities Theme Commentary Opportunities: • Achieving high standards of sustainable construction for new and retro-fitting existing build helps keep long term running costs to a minimum, tackle fuel poverty and reduce household CO2 emissions. • With family sizes changing and an increasingly ageing population it is important to consider the changing use of our homes. Houses can be designed to be flexible and adaptable and to ensure they are best suited to their occupants and use. • Promoting green travel plans (either to work or school) helps supports physical health and well-being and eases congestion and pollution. • Establishing or increasing the uptake of ‘green gyms’ promotes physical and mental wellbeing, community participation and supports local environmental stewardship. • The provision of locally based health services helps reduce health inequalities and supports low carbon access • Promoting access to locally produced (ideally organic) fruit and vegetables will help support wellbeing and local economies. Risks: • Houses are not built (or retrofitted) to high standards of sustainable construction, resulting in high long term running costs and increased environmental impact. • Opportunities to promote sustainable transport options are omitted with potential health and well being benefits being lost. • Adopting a centralised health care system results in increased travel to health facilities, with detrimental health impacts for those in greatest need. • Efforts to increase locally based physical exercise (i.e. use of local green space) fail resulting in increased car journeys and pollution. In addition access to Dorset’s countryside is dependent on high carbon travel i.e. by car. Recommendations: • Implement high standards of sustainable construction (including measures to reduce the use of chemicals in your home) for new build and retro-fit high energy efficiency standards within existing build to tackle fuel poverty and reduce CO2 emissions. • Follow the Lifetime Homes standards and Secure by Design principles to support the provision of flexible and adaptable housing. • Implement green travel plans within the private, public and voluntary sectors. Walking Buses provide an effective way of addressing the ‘school run’ whilst promoting wellbeing for children and helping to address obesity. • Establish and/or widely promote ‘green gyms’ to help promote physical and mental wellbeing alongside community engagement and local environmental stewardship. • Support locally based multiple health services/advice centres. These should be supported by a flexible transport infrastructure which can be responsive to individual needs. • Support ICT access to health advice and preventative car (providing opportunities to adopt a lower carbon approach by reducing the need to travel) and offer appropriate training for the users. • Promote access to locally produced (ideally organic) fruit and vegetables to help support wellbeing and local economies. Farmers markets should be generally supported and schools/workplaces should adopt a commitment to sourcing local fresh produce. • Establish a sustainable transport plan for accessing Dorset’s countryside. • Ensure support is targeted at those meet in need.

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Thriving Communities: Culture Theme Commentary

Opportunities: • Providing multi-purpose venues across the county creates opportunities to improve equality

in accessing culture in a low carbon way • Engaging local businesses and their workforces in culture, arts and leisure opportunities to

support mental and physical well-being • Providing voluntary (paid and unpaid) opportunities including those aimed at specific groups

such as children & young people and older people to help support ‘inter-generational’ activities

• Promote local distinctiveness and diversity not only around culture but the natural/built environment, providing opportunities to support sustainability learning

• Extending the tourist season to support local economies (and therefore communities) in the most sustainable way i.e. encouraging visitors to sample local produce, use alternatives to the car etc.

• Support voluntary and community organisations to participate in cultural and leisure opportunities helping to tackle social exclusion particular for disadvantaged groups

• Linking cultural events/festivals with opportunity to raise awareness of sustainability more generally including opportunities for sport and leisure to promote healthy lifestyles

Risks: • Increased tourism is achieved without maximising benefits for local industries, leading to

increasingly congested roads, degradation of the environment and ultimately exceeding the county’s carrying capacity

• Voluntary and community sector organisations are excluded and disadvantaged/hard to reach groups remain isolated

• Access to cultural activities is highly dependent on high carbon transport modes i.e car travel

Recommendations: • Adopt as a governing principle, the promotion/provision of car free access to cultural

activities • When planning festivals and events follow the principles enshrined within the Government

Office for the South West’s Greener Events Guide. Particular attention should be paid to promoting local food and drink and facilitating low carbon access.

• The DMO should give a strong emphasis to integrating the South West Tourism Green Business Scheme (reflecting all size of businesses) and the region’s sustainable tourism campaign aimed at the visitor – Future Footprints.

• Promote arts/cultural opportunities to local businesses, providing support for workforce wellbeing and possibilities for better engagement with local communities. • Consider opportunities within the cultural sector to support broader economic inclusion

programmes i.e. new arts projects could represent new opportunities to offer satisfying fairly paid or unpaid work to deprived communities

• Maximise opportunities for sport and leisure • Identify the strong linkages between culture and other themes especially activities for young

people and the knock-on effects on crime, health and street scene etc .

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Annex 7 Environmental limits explained Many natural resources are theoretically and sometimes even feasibly, limitless in respect of their supply and exploitation. Others are more restricted in their availability, often as a result of their physical distribution. All resources are subject to 'costs' when we use them, whether it is directly in terms of acquiring or processing, or indirectly as a result of the impact of their exploitation on other people, or other species and habitat - 'external costs'. The same principle applies to what are called 'environmental services', things like the atmosphere, the oceans or a landscape. These provide us with services such as the air we breathe, a favourable climate, and places to dump our waste and emit pollution. It is evident that there are many factors influencing costs, for example new technology or population growth, and that costs and limits will change over time. In the past there was often a greater focus on the economic costs of resources, sometimes to the detriment of the wider environment - and us. This is changing, and there is now a greater understanding, and willingness to take account of the external costs associated with resource use. This overall cost is what informs our decisions on what is an 'environmental limit' when we use an environmental resource or service.

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