SUMMARY/PURPOSE

1. To note progress on implementing the Island’s Agenda 21 Strategy.

BACKGROUND

2. Agenda 21 is the Island’s Sustainable Development Strategy and was first approved by Full Council in November 2000. It seeks to promote development that meets the needs of today’s society without jeopardising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Agenda 21 is not simply about the environment; it is about a combination of factors which must be given equal consideration, namely

· Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment

· Prudent use of natural resources

· Effective protection of the environment

· Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone

3. The Island’s Agenda 21 Strategy was published in 2000 after one of the largest public consultations that has taken place on the Island – approximately 1,700 residents made a direct contribution. The Strategy contains a clear vision for the future and highlights the tremendous value local people place on their environment and quality of life. The top 6 things that residents said they liked about the Island are the countryside, coast, community spirit, pace of life, peace and the local environment.

4. The Strategy lists a series of key actions under 5 themes – environmental stewardship, sustainable economy, sustainable transport, sustainable resource management and Council leadership. This report highlights progress during 2005 / 06 on each of these themes and indicates priorities for the next 12 months.

Delivery

“Although the idea is simple, the task is substantial. It means meeting four objectives at the same time, in the UK and the world as a whole.”

(Taken from ‘A Better Quality of Life – A Strategy for Sustainable Development for the UK’, DETR, 1999.)

5. The Agenda 21 Officer is a joint appointment between the Council and Primary Care Trust. This unique arrangement demonstrates a clear understanding of the close linkages between ‘sustainable development’ and ‘quality of life’. Both organisations are tackling inequalities and this is a key aim of sustainable development. Agenda 21 is an Island-wide strategy and its delivery is assisted by a wide range of individuals and organisations both inside and outside the Council.

Environmental Stewardship

6. A Planning Grant of £48,000 was secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the West Wight Landscape Partnership (WWLP), which seeks to conserve and promote the historic landscape of this part of the Island.

7. In September 2005, following extensive public consultation, an application was made on behalf of the West Wight Landscape Partnership for £2 million for a range of activities which will conserve and enhance the local environment, culture, heritage and civic pride of towns and villages. The bid highlights the value of the landscape and heritage in the West Wight and the role it can play in regenerating the area.

Sustainable Economy

8. Green Island is the Council-led sustainable tourism initiative which accredits businesses according to their environmental performance. 98 businesses have now been recruited to the scheme which has one of the highest per capita take-up rates of any similar scheme in the UK. Recent work to promote short breaks for birdwatching and arts activities will attract higher spend visitors.

9. On the back of demand from food outlets, the Green Island Co-ordinator has been working with local producers to establish the Island Food & Craft Association (IFCA) in order to support the development of local food networks. There is confidence that there is a secure future for the agricultural sector based on high quality produce and local markets.

10. Agenda 21 will also begin to address the issue of commercial waste, most of which is currently landfilled. Working with the Chamber of Commerce and Footprint Trust we will establish the composition of the commercial waste stream and identify how it can be reused or recycled on the Island, for example through building materials and road surfacing.

11. During the next 12 months funding will be sought for the continuation of Green Island in an attempt to promote the Island as one of the prime eco-tourism destinations in the UK. A new brand for locally produced food and craft products will appear and the number of outlets stocking and promoting local produce should expand rapidly. We will help to produce a Business Waste Strategy and start to reduce the amount of commercial waste going to landfill.

Sustainable Transport

12. The Agenda 21 Officer has contributed to the Local Transport Plan (2) and will continue to research the use of alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, which could be produced locally from waste vegetable oil, and fuel cells. There is believed to be scope for extension of the cycle track network on the Island which will contribute to sustainable tourism as well as provide health benefits for residents.

Sustainable Resource Management

13. Agenda 21 is responsible for implementing the Island’s Renewable Energy Strategy. A review of the Strategy will be undertaken shortly and a report presented to Cabinet on how the Island can meet regional targets for renewable energy generation. Initial work is being undertaken to discover whether the Island is a suitable location for a Tidal Energy Test Centre and Agenda 21 is working closely with the local businesses involved in renewable energy through their new association Vectis Energy. We are also looking at innovative ways for the community to invest in renewable energy schemes and therefore benefit fully from their implementation. The first in a series of seminars on renewable energy technologies took place in March and looked at the potential of biomass (wood) from the Island’s woodlands.

14. A Warm Homes Group has been established with partners from the statutory and voluntary sector looking at ways of tackling fuel poverty. An Affordable Warmth Strategy is being finalised and shows that the Island has one of the highest rates of fuel poverty in the South East.

15. During the next 12 months it is intended to work with colleagues from Housing Services to further promote energy efficiency and to work with Vectis Energy to promote renewable energy systems. The potential for Pan Village to become an eco-housing showcase will be actively pursued and a water efficiency campaign, in partnership with Southern Water, will be planned and delivered over the next 24 months.

Council Leadership

16. Agenda 21 seeks to promote community involvement and has participated in local shows, providing information to the general public. A session with the Policy Commission for Care & Health Trust Delivery, Health Scrutiny & Housing in March showed how the Council is already involved in many activities which promote health and well-being and how it can work more closely with the health sector to improve people’s quality of life. Agenda 21 has been involved with the Pan Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder to identify ways of tackling inequalities and improving quality of life.

17. A priority for the year ahead will be to try to reduce the Council’s energy consumption and the Council has recently been accepted onto the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Management Programme which will provide consultancy support in identifying ways in which the Council can save energy. As gas and electricity prices continue to rise at unprecedented rates, it would be prudent to investigate renewable energy sources to insulate the Council from future rises. We are currently cooperating with local businesses involved in biomass heating and investigating the use of Council buildings as trial sites. Currently, the Council’s energy procurement contract ensures that 100% of electricity purchased for its main buildings is from renewable sources.

18. During 2005 the Council passed a motion in support of Fairtrade and helped to gain Fairtrade Island status. Agenda 21 will take the lead on delivering the Fairtrade Action Plan for 2006.

19. As mentioned previously, many organisations on the Island – the Footprint Trust, Island 2000, Wight Wildlife, ecoBiz - contribute to implementation of the Agenda 21 Strategy and we work in partnership with these organisations as far as possible. Since the original Agenda 21 Strategy was produced, a number of the key actions have been achieved and demonstrate good practice. These have been well publicised and include:

· Full access to Public Rights of Way

· Work of the Centre for the Coastal Environment in sustainable environmental management

· Farmers’ Market

· Cycle tracks

· Municipal waste management

· Highest rate of Warm Front (energy efficiency) grant referrals in the South East

20. During the year Agenda 21 reports on Indicators of sustainable development which are:

· Installed capacity of renewable energy sources (kW)

· Council consumption of energy (kWh) and resultant CO2 emissions (tonnes)

· Percentage of paper used by the Council from recycled sources

Targets for the improvement of local environments, for Green Island membership and for recycling of commercial waste have been included in the Local Area Agreement. However, it should be remembered that sustainable development is a complex process, requiring all four key elements (economy, society, environment and resources) to be addressed in an integrated fashion. Because of this, the only true indication of sustainable development is through a basket of indicators that collectively reflect quality of life. These indicators are being developed by the Audit Commission and are likely to feature in future CPAs.

21. In conclusion, Agenda 21 operates at both strategic and practical levels. Sustainable development is now firmly embedded in land-use planning (through PPS1 – ‘Sustainable Communities’) and integrated into national policies. It also tries to make a real difference on the ground, working with local communities to minimise the Island’s ecological footprint, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase self-sufficiency and enhance the local environment.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

22. The Agenda 21 Strategy is the Island’s Strategy for Sustainable Development. Government guidance suggests that Agenda 21 Strategies should be fully integrated into Community Strategies. Commercial waste, sustainable tourism, Fairtrade, local produce, renewable energy and energy management within the Council are all flagged up in Aim High.

CONSULTATION

23. Over 1700 local residents had a direct input into the Agenda 21 Strategy during the consultation phase in 1999/2000.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

24. None. The activities outlined are funded either through existing budgets or external funding.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

25. None

OPTIONS

26. During 2006/07, Agenda 21 will concentrate on a range of activities which further implementation of the Agenda 21 Strategy and contribute to delivery of Aim High. The principal areas of activity are:

a. Sustainable Energy – a renewable energy action plan, Tidal Energy Test Centre feasibility study, Fuel Poverty Strategy and promotion of energy efficiency

b. Water Conservation – promoting information to the public and best practice in buildings

c. Sustainable Tourism – further development of Green Island Awards

d. Local Produce – supporting the establishment of the Island Food & Craft Association (IFCA)

e. Carbon Management – within the Council stock to reduce energy use and carbon emissions

f. Commercial Waste – production of a Business Waste Strategy

g. West Wight Landscape Partnership – further development of the Scheme

h. Island Plan – ensuring that the Plan contributes to sustainable development

i. Fairtrade – implementation of the Council’s Fairtrade Action Plan

27. This is a challenging work plan, but there may be opportunities within these broad headings to respond to emerging issues.

EVALUATION/RISK MANAGEMENT

28. A number of the proposed activities rely on external funding. Agenda 21 has secured funding from the Carbon Trust for carbon management and from DEFRA and SEEDA on behalf of IFCA. There are positive indications of funding from the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) for work on commercial waste. However, the West Wight Landscape Partnership Scheme is entirely dependent on funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. A decision is expected during April. The Green Island Awards Scheme is only funded until March 2007 and failure to identify a way of continuing the Scheme may limit the effectiveness of the Scheme towards the end of the year.

RECOMMENDATIONS

29. That this report is noted and an update is presented to Full Council in 12 months time.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

30. The Agenda 21 Strategy for the Isle of Wight www.iwight.com/council/documents/docFiles/2432006_77_AG21.pdf

APPENDICES

31. None

Contact Point : Jim Fawcett, Principal Policy Officer (Health & Sustainable Development), ( 01983 823204, [email protected]

ANDREW ASHCROFT

Head of Planning Services

COUNCILLOR IAN WARD

Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Planning