DRAFT
The Presud project brought 9 cities together to review each others' progress on sustainable development.
The methodology draws on work done by OECD and Eurocities; it checks progress on environmental themes; and on bringing all policies togethers to progress sustainable development as a whole; but it also reviews the governance of an authority so that good intentions are converted into effective action.
The project was able to demonstrate progress through reviews and the setting of action plans.
Having taken part in the project, Nottingham needs to explore the next steps, which could include focussing on -
- on climate change and energy;
- emphasising "cities are good for us" (incl. economic development and the environment);
- Sustainable consumption, production and use of natural resources;
in line with the priority areas identified in "Taking it Forward" (the Govt's consultation on Sustainable Development).
The next steps could be - - develop and maintain momentum for change and pace of change; (build on the Prime Minister's statement, October events, motion to full Council, reflecting developments and Presud findings (where possible)); - developing partnership working further - and seek more urgency from partners (e.g. NDE); - maintain Presud for reviewing balance and overall progress, letting Audit Commission inspections take the burden of governance issues and seeking to support env. audit with fuller statement on work done already and potential to extend EMAS or ISO14001; and as an example of European cooperation and internationalism;
- fashioning a brand for the mainstreamed work (including the HECA work which Paul Flowers has just submitted to the NE Post) and for the fresh initiatives within the strategic framework;
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Appendix A - Ideas from speeches and papers
- Leipzig - focus on targets for each objective - we probably don't have this - could have as part of QoL exercise with LSP:
- Malmo - common ground for developers - we have a sustainable developer's guide; (also effective work at rewarding tenants who undertake wider duties);
- Newcastle - carbon neutral city; might be a good concept for business sector;
- Nottingham - local transport;
- Tampere - citizen participation; plus a centre for urban environment;
- Venice - Ecobag; helps tourists help the environment during their visit to the city; has obvious sponsorship opportunities might require extra bins in the city centre of a high quality for recyclables;
- Vienna - EcoBusines plan - enterprises are the main actors;
Other Ideas
- Thermal solar heating might be best for things like swimming pools where huge increases in temperatures are not needed; households such as elderly couples and very small families; extra 10% efficiency from evacuated tubes is not needed;
- some emphasis on conservation of water and use of grey water; in Nottingham, issue might appear to be high levels of groundwater instead;
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(Notes based on my speech.)
It's a pleasure to be back in the Hague, having participated in the 2nd review of the city last April.
Our first photograph shows members of the Presud project in Nottingham, in January 2003 on what looks like a cold day; but arguably not cold enough. The winters are getting warmer and the pests that are winter freezes used to control are now growing in number.
They're pictured around Robin Hood who stole from the rich to give to the poor. Can I stress that this robbery is counter to our policies on tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. Indeed, rather that the Sheriff of Nottingham, the Deputy Leader is now responsible for the setting and collection of tax.
The Presud group are quite a challenging group - people who care passionately about the environment. I know Presud inspectors sometimes get disappointed in politicians like me, who can struggle to ensure the progress they want and feel is so imperative.
For instance, it would be difficult to see how Nottingham could make a commitment to being carbon neutral, given the difficulty of measuring CO2 emissions and explaining the concept to the public.
Certainly, I can't meet the demands of the Presud inspections for us to stop waste incineration. We are in awe of the Nordic countries - often more caring and progressive on social and environmental issues, with cleaner streets and environments. In Britain and Nottingham, we're still tipping waste into the ground, and, even with the much improved rates of doorstep collections for recycling, for us the next stage is making incineration work.
Presud is though very distinctive. Asking peers from across Europe to review our progress on sustainable development, taking a special interest in the environment and checking on our governance arrangements to ensure that policies are turned into effective action. Nottingham is already reviewed on some of these issues, but nothing places an emphasis on environmental issues like Presud does.
But when trying to persuade politicians to act, remember, that we can lose votes on environmental issues. Labour lost support in Birmingham when opposition parties played on the switch to fortnightly collection of domestic waste to allow a fortnightly collection of recyclables. So much for others' claims to be ahead of us on the environment.
The radical change you desire has to be converted into key messages that win votes. Progress is made through winning elections and using the mandate for change. Not through extensive consultation. Party politics is the natural order of governance in free societies and it's a fundamental weakness of LA21 to think change happens in other ways.
Winning through setting out a vision and focusing on delivering change. Tony Blair may not be popular amongst those who regard themselves as pro-environment and lovers of peace but he is an example of how you should go about winning change. Big progress has been made in Britain on our economic development and social inclusion, in a country (which despite being famous for its socialised health service) voted for "tax cuts and hang the consequences " at four consecutive general elections.
There are examples of others making a difference, such as radical policies making a differences in local government. And that includes Nottingham and its transport policy. Like many cities, railways were hit in the late fifties and early sixties by a transport minister who had interests in the road lorry industry. But plans for inner-city motorways, drafted up in 1965 (which would have seen fly-overs over the Arboretum (Nottingham's first public park)), were resisted.
As early as 1973, an alternative analysis to promote use of the buses and constraints on the cars had been developed. "Zone and Collar" was implemented, and failed.
But much of the original plan, including more park and ride, priority for buses and modernised and branded bus fleets are now in place. And that radical tradition has maintained Nottingham's focus to do better. And we have.
Our success is built upon -
- the quality of our local transport plan; we're one of the best 3 transport authorities in England;
- planning for the city centre to support jobs and to support new homes; clear zone and travel planning;
- car constraint - in particular car parking (planning limits, wardens to enforce parking and the workplace parking levy next);
- the Robin Hood Line (drawn from massive local government investment);
- a quality bus network (Go2; Link to support Park & Ride, MyBus for demand responsive services - all with a modern fleet;
- Smart cards - only second in our use to Tampere in all of Europe - encouraging people to subscribe to public transport;
- the NET - projected to carry over 8 million passengers in the first year;
all helped by the public ownership of NCT.
And reinforced with the communication and branding. The Big Wheel uses great graphics and effective marketing to reinforce the idea of integrated transport. And we're holding another Big Day Out on Saturday (18th September).
Overall result - traffic levels steady whilst jobs and prosperity have increased; more public transport use, 4 years of year on year increase after 50 years of year on year decline; and the bus fleet being modernised with new initiatives for the socially excluded.
We have learnt lessons from the Presud event and made progress against our first action plan.
But what I value most is the event. It brings focus and a high level review to matters that should be addressed in a mainstreamed matter within service plans.
Just one comment at the first Presud review meeting made me realise the importance of getting our service planning right and following through on initiatives.
The second review said - time to get ready for a new initiative on climate change.
And it turns out to be good timing. Tony Blair is working on 7 priorities for his next five years. The international element says - help Africa and tackle Climate Change.
On Tuesday (Sept. 14th), he announced a new commitment on Climate Change, which made front page news. He said it was time for a new Green industrial revolution.
Policy initiatives include that all new school buildings should be built to a new sustainable standard - significant for Nottingham when we're planning to rebuild and refurbish 8 of our 20 secondary schools in the next few years as part of Building Schools for the Future.
And Tony Blair will be giving the issue of Climate Change a high profile - declaring it as the theme of Britain's presidency of the G8 next year and of the EU next year.
All this will be too late for some. Not radical enough on road traffic and air travel for many. And be at risk of preaching to other countries that have a stronger track record.
But this is the kind of profile and opportunity that should be grabbed here today by this conference. We should write to welcome the commitment and explain how the people and authorities here today can help, with a type of inspection, with a tried methodology, that could be used more widely during the Presidency.
[Last updated 2004-09-26]
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