Leeds Voice Environment Forum

Framework For Regeneration: Urban Forum Briefing Paper and Questionnaire

2008-10-10T10:54:00.002+01:00

The government have published a Framework for Regeneration ‘transforming places; changing lives’. This proposes that regeneration programmes should have a new focus on improving economic outcomes. A briefing on the framework is below, and a full copy of the Framework can be found at www.communities.gov.uk/documents/citiesandregions/pdf/896104.pdf

The Urban Forum would be grateful if you could copy and complete the short questionnaire which is below the briefing, the results of which will be used to inform their response to the Framework. If you do not want to answer a question feel free to skip it. All answers will be treated in confidence. Please return your completed questionnaire to the Urban Forum by Friday 17th October.

Please also contact Leeds Voice next week if you want to help inform our response.

‘transforming places; changing lives’ – A framework for regeneration
October 2008
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) published a Framework for Regeneration known as ‘transforming places; changing lives’ in July 2008. It sets out proposals which ‘aim to shape the way that regeneration is carried out in future in England’. The Framework is currently out for consultation, and is due to be finalised in early 2009 to feed into the next spending review.
What changes are being proposed?
The document states that regeneration programmes (such as New Deal for Communities and the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy) have made ‘substantial progress’ in narrowing the gap between deprived neighbourhoods and the rest. However, many pockets of deprivation remain and minority communities and disabled people are still over-represented in deprived communities.
The government believes that regeneration should now be focused on the ‘underlying economic causes of decline’ and that there should be a shift of emphasis onto ‘improving economic outcomes in deprived areas’. Work is seen as the major way for people to improve their social and economic prospects and statistics are provided to show that people in employment are happier, healthier and less likely to get involved in crime. The government therefore proposes to place greater emphasis on supporting people to get a job and boosting enterprise in deprived communities.
The Framework proposes a significant change to the way that different regeneration agencies (including local authorities, Regional Development Agencies, and central government) work. The proposals are designed to delegate decision-making to a regional and local level in order to:
1. put communities and councils at the heart of regeneration;
2. develop a stronger sense of common purpose for regeneration across different agencies; and
3. get better value for money from regeneration funding.
Like the Local Government White Paper ‘Strong and Prosperous Communities’, the Regeneration Framework puts local authorities at the heart of delivering regeneration. The Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) and the Local Development Framework (LDF) should identify the regeneration challenges and goals in a local area. Under the proposals there will be fewer national programmes and greater devolution of spending decisions, including through participatory budgeting. And through this local communities will ‘be able to take ownership of activities in their neighbourhood and have incentives to participate in shaping the future of their community in partnership with the local authority’.
Does the Third Sector get a mention?
The Framework acknowledges that regenerating deprived communities takes far more than simply improving economic performance and people having jobs. The third sector, particularly social enterprises, are seen as having a key role in tackling deprivation, being ideally placed to reach out to ‘communities in areas that are hard to reach through mainstream services’. As well as playing a key role in engaging communities, the sector is also seen to contribute towards developing skills and providing training and routes into education and employment. The document states that ‘the government is committed to supporting the third sector and creating conditions where social enterprises can thrive’.
What would be different?
a) Priority Outcomes
The Framework sets out three priority outcomes that will guide Government spending on regeneration in the future. They are:
1. improving economic performance in deprived areas;
2. improving rates of work and enterprise in deprived areas; and
3. creating sustainable places where people want to live and work, and where businesses want to invest.
It is proposed that progress against these outcomes will be measured at a very local, neighbourhood, level (using Lower Super Output Area Statistics). Super Output Areas, or SOAs, are small areas used to collect and compare statistics about areas (not necessarily neighbourhoods), or approximately 1,500 people. There are over 32,000 Lower SOAs in England. You can find more information on SOAs at: www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk
The Framework goes on to state that although there will be a greater focus on worklessness, this does not mean all regeneration should be about economic outcomes. However regeneration programmes will need to support ‘activities that strengthen the wider economy’.
b) Targeting regeneration investment
The document also indicates that regeneration needs to be better targeted and co-coordinated, based on a shared strategy. The idea is that a more transparent approach to targeting activity would help all the different partners to understand and agree regeneration priorities and develop a joint approach. The partners identified include community and neighbourhood organisations, the third sector, local government (and the Local Strategic Partnership), Regional Development Agencies, the private sector and central government. Each region will be asked to set up Regional Regeneration Priorities Maps to identify areas where investment is needed.
The document sets out a common approach to targeting or prioritising regeneration investment. By doing this the government want to ensure that their funding is consistent with local and regional priorities. Four criteria, which have been designed to be used in consultation with the community, are proposed, which would be used to identify ‘priorities’ for investment. These are the:
1. area’s level of deprivation;
2. strength of the wider sub-regional economy;
3. economic and social characteristics of the area; and
4. dynamics of the area (whether it is getting better or worse).
c) Types of regeneration
According to the Framework, these four criteria can help determine the type of regeneration that is likely to be most successful in a particular area. The Framework suggests categorising the types as follows:
1. improving the physical environment (physical regeneration)
2. improving opportunities for people (community or social regeneration). This includes building the skills, capacity and aspirations of residents to enable them to take advantage of wider opportunities. It is acknowledged that this will need to be aimed at third sector organisations and social enterprises and that improving mainstream services has a key role to play. It is also stated that these types of activity will need to support physical improvements to ensure that regeneration is effective.
3. improving the wider economy (economic development). This is a process of ‘economic adaptation’ through new investment and improved business (and social enterprise) performance to boost local employment and incomes.
According to the proposals, the nature of the regeneration ‘challenge’ will determine which of the above activities would be more or less appropriate. Regardless of the approach, activities must be
co-ordinated as part of an overall plan for an area and with an understanding of how they will contribute to the three overall priority outcomes.
The Framework proposes that in future regeneration funding should not only go to deprived areas, and that funding going into other nearby areas can also benefit the poorest communities. For example, a new retail park might create jobs for people in a neighbouring (deprived) area.
Who will need to act differently?
If the proposals set out in the consultation were to be implemented, the following agencies would need to work differently:
Roles for Local Government as ‘place makers’ would include:
• Lead the delivery of economic development and social and physical regeneration.
• Use Local Area Agreements (LAAs) and SCSs to drive positive outcomes for deprived areas.
• Develop appropriate structures and processes to put communities at the heart of the design and delivery of regeneration.
The LSP would:
• Prioritise regeneration funding in context of the LAA, LDF and SCS.
Regional Assemblies (along with RDAs) would:
• provide indicative regional regeneration priorities maps.
The Housing and Communities Agency (HCA) and RDAs have different but complementary roles with the HCA leading on housing led regeneration and the RDAs on economic regeneration. The HCA will contribute to the government’s objectives for housing supply, as well as ensuring that new affordable homes are built. Both organisations will be expected to work together with local authorities to make sure the views of local residents and communities are heard when making decisions about regeneration and investment.
Third Sector
Given the role of the sector in providing a voice for marginalised groups, the expectation is that the sector will ensure that communities are at the ‘heart of regeneration’. Within the Framework the sector is identified as a key local partner in regeneration, working with both the RDA and local partners to identify and address regeneration priority areas.
Conclusion
‘Transforming Places, Changing Lives’ proposes a new focus on improving economic outcomes for regeneration programmes. The Framework is based on three priority outcomes (improving economic performance in deprived areas; improving rates or work and enterprise in deprived areas; and creating sustainable places where people want to live and can work and businesses want to invest) and clearer geographic prioritisation of funding.
Responding to the consultation
Urban Forum will be submitting a response to the consultation. We welcome your views on the Framework, and would ask that you respond to our short questionnaire. Please return this to consultation@urbanforum.org.uk by Friday 17th October. Many thanks.
Caroline Gaunt
6th October 2008

Questionnaire: please copy and paste and complete.

Your details
Name:
Organisation:
Address:
E-mail:
Questions
1a) Do you think that it is right that in future regeneration should focus on helping people into work and improving economic prospects in an area? Yes/No
Please explain:
1b) If not, please set out the areas that the Framework should focus on.

2) The Framework proposes to focus on three outcomes to measure regeneration; improving rates of economic performance, improving rates of work and enterprise and creating sustainable places where people want to live and work.
Are these helpful?
Will they ensure that regeneration benefits the people and places that need it most? Yes/No Please explain:

3) Priorities for regeneration in the future will be based on four criteria; level of deprivation, strength of the wider sub-regional economy, economic and social characteristics of the area, and dynamics of the area.
Are these criteria helpful?
Will they help to make the way regeneration funding is prioritised more consistent? Yes/No Please explain:

4) What should central government do to give communities a stronger voice in shaping regeneration?
Please give up to 3 points
a.
b.
c.

5) What should local government do to give communities a stronger voice in shaping regeneration?
Please give up to 3 points
a.
b.
c.

6) The third sector ‘will be expected to make a reality of the framework’s principle of putting communities at the heart of regeneration’. How should the sector be supported to do this? Please give up to 3 points:
a.
b.
c.

Any other comments?

Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire.

Please return your completed questionnaire to consultation@urbanforum.org.uk (or post to Urban Forum, Freepost RRLJ-SRGG-ABJG, 33 Corsham Street, London N1 6DR or fax on 020 7253 4817) no later than Friday 17th October. Please also contact Leeds Voice to help inform our response: richard.robson@leedsvoice.org.uk or raquel.silvestre@leedsvoice.org.uk.

Many thanks for your help.

CONSULTATION ON DRAFT SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT (SPD)

2008-09-26T15:06:00.001+01:00

The above document is currently undergoing formal consultation.

The Affordable Housing SPD outlines Leeds City Council’s proposed requirements for the provision of affordable housing on planning applications submitted for residential development.

The SPD, once formally adopted, will replace the existing Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) on Affordable Housing, ie. the proposals in the SPD will not apply until the plan is formally adopted. The existing informal housing policy and supplementary planning guidance remain until then.

An accompanying Sustainability Appraisal (SA) document has also been produced. This has thoroughly assessed the draft SPD against environmental, social and economic effects which would result from applying the SPD.

The purpose of this e-mail is to invite you to consider the SPD and SA. Any comments or suggestions on the documents would be welcome. These should be returned (faxed, posted, hand delivered or via email) to City Development by 5 p.m. on 7th November 2008. See below for address and numbers.

Should you wish to view a copy of the SPD and SA then as of today you can access these documents, along with the Statement of the SPD Matters and comments form, in the following ways:
- On the internet using the links above
- By visiting the Development Office at The Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington Street, LS2 8HD (Monday to Friday 0830 – 1700, except Wednesday 1000 – 1700) or
- By requesting copies to be sent to you by post or email ( telephone (0113 2478075, Fax 0113 247 6484) or email ldf@leeds.gov.uk)
- Libraries and One Stop Centres within Leeds District will have a hard copy only of the Draft SPD from 29th September.

I trust this e-mail provides you with sufficient information but if you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact Lois Pickering, Senior Planning Officer, Planning Policy on (0113) 2478133.

David Feeney
Head of Planning & Economic Policy
Leeds City Council
The Leonardo Building
2 Rossington Street
Leeds LS2 8HD

Regional Spatial Strategy- what is built and where in Yorkshire and Humber

2008-09-26T12:26:00.004+01:00

How much housing should we have in the Region? Where should new housing development go? What type of housing should we build to meet our communities’ needs? Do we need new transport and infrastructure? How should we provide for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation? Which parts of the Region should we prioritise for investment?

The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly is currently undertaking a partial review of the Regional Spatial Strategy (entitled the RSS 2009 Update) to address the requirements of the Housing Green Paper and look at accommodating housing growth in the Yorkshire and Humber Region.

Between 3 November 2008 and 2 January 2009 we will be consulting on strategic options for accommodating growth in the region. We are pleased to invite you to attend one of four events being held during the strategic options consultation stage:

Tuesday 11 November 2008: National Centre for Early Music, York

Thursday 13 November 2008: Octagon Centre, Hull

Tuesday 18 November 2008: Megacentre, Sheffield

Thursday 20 November 2008: Marriott Hotel, Leeds

The purpose of the events is to introduce and consult on the strategic options for accommodating growth in the region and will consist of discussions, presentations and interactive workshops during the day and an open drop-in session in the evening. The events are open to everyone in the region.

Please find attached an invitation providing further information on the events and a booking form.

To reserve your place, please contact the person below to get a booking form and return the booking form by Friday 10 October 2008 (places are limited). If you require any further information then please do not hesitate to contact Hannah on 01924 331592 or email rssupdate@yhassembly.gov.uk

Kind Regards

Hannah Madajewski
Planning Administrator
Yorkshire and Humber Assembly
18 King Street
Wakefield
WF1 2SQ
Tel: 01924 331592
Fax: 01924 331559
Email: Hannah.Madajewski@Yhassembly.gov.uk

Next Environment Forum Meeeting

2008-07-20T16:13:00.002+01:00

Tuesday 5th August. 19:00-21:00. Leeds Civic Hall.

Topic:
The Leeds Strategic Plan (Local Area Agreement); where does your group fit in?
The Sustainable Communities Act (see: www.localworks.org.uk); should we call for Leeds to opt in?

All welcome.

More detail to follow.

Next forum meeting- Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document

2008-05-23T18:27:00.003+01:00

The Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document (NRWDPD) which is part of the Leeds Local Development Framework: a collection of documents which guide decisions on planning applications and influences what will be built in Leeds and where (spatial land use planning).

The document covers a wide range of issues of immense importance to the environment and sustainable development in Leeds. Including:

- Natural resource flows and the ecological footprint of the city

- Renewable and non-renewable energy and climate change

- Household and commercial waste, waste treatment technologies and waste-resource management

- Minerals and aggregates (extraction and recycling)

- Contaminated land

- Water resources and flooding issues

- Air quality

The NRWDPD is currently out for public consultation. It is vital we support this document through our consultation responses in order to help Leeds manage natural resources and waste more sustainably. We can help to strengthen and improve the document through our responses to the consultation.

It is suggested you have a quick read through the sections of the document that most interest you prior to attending the meeting. The document can be found on the link below.

http://www.leeds.gov.uk/Business/Planning/Local_development_framework/natural_resources_and_waste_dpd_
%E2%80%93_issues_and_alternative_options_%28ldf%29.aspx

‘Keeping an Eye on Leeds’ Environment Forum
19:00 – 21:00 3^rd June 2008
Leeds Civic Hall

1.0 Welcome and introductions

2.0 Coordinators Update
JH to briefly update on ‘Access to Nature’ funding application.

3.0 Introduction to the Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document (NRWDPD)
“It is important that Leeds is able to manage its natural resources in a sustainable manner. The NRWDPD will explain the key issues affecting Leeds’ natural resources. It will provide a policy framework and guidance on themes relevant to the whole of the Leeds City Council area for the future management of existing natural resources.” Text taken from document.

4.0 Group Discussion and Question and Answer Session
We will discuss any aspect of this document which forum members take an interest in, this could include:

- Natural resource flows and the ecological footprint of the city - Renewable and non-renewable energy and climate change - Household and commercial waste, waste treatment technologies and waste resource management - Minerals and aggregates (extraction and recycling) - Contaminated land - Water resources and flooding issues - Air quality

5.0 Responding to the consultation
We will discuss how we will make a formal response to the consultation- either forming a focus group to work up a forum response, or using the minutes of this meeting to form the basis of a forum response or responding to the consultation as individual organisations. The deadline for responses is 5pm on 19/6/08.

6.0 Brief updates from the forums representatives on Aire Action Leeds and the Climate Change Strategy Group.
JH to feedback on Climate Change Strategy. IM, KS, DV, JH, RB to feedback on Aire Action Leeds. Reps: If you have feedback but cannot attend the meeting please forward your written feedback to me by 28^th May.

Next meeting: Tuesday 1^st July 2008. 19:00-21:00 Leeds Civic Hall.
Environment Forum Coordinating Group. Detailed reps feedback and action planning. We will discuss our Terms of Reference, Vision (work programme) and other issues related to the operation of our forum. All welcome.

Incineration? (EfW?) Autoclave? Mechanical and biological treament? Anerobic Digestion? Centralised Infrastructure or Modular/ local systems?

2008-05-23T17:25:00.002+01:00

Text taken from email recieved from Andrew Mason, Chief Environmental Services Officer.

Please note: I cannot attach the letter/ questionnaire- contact me to get a copy. I forwarded it with the email giving the link to this post.

Leeds City Council is looking to work with a private company to develop new treatment facilities for waste that is not sorted for recycling. This will enable us to minimise environmental damage and recover the maximum value from the rubbish that would otherwise be buried in the ground.

We are now consulting about what the most important things are that we should consider when we decide how to deal with rubbish that is not sorted for recycling in order to choose the right treatment solution for Leeds and have attached a letter here (CONTACT: jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk to get a copy).

Please return your response to leeds.waste@leeds.gov.uk by 5pm on 15th June 2008.

Economic and regeneration (spatial planning) changes to who makes the decisions that affect Leeds...

2008-05-23T15:33:00.003+01:00

In July 2007 the Government published the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR). This provided the framework that will enable central and local government and other partners to work together to help maximise prosperity in all parts of England and tackle social deprivation and inequality.

This consultation sets out and seeks views on the proposals contained in the SNR for putting in place reforms that would:

- Streamline the regional tier, introducing integrated strategies and giving the regional development agencies (RDAs) (e.g. Yorkshire Forward) lead responsibility for regional planning; (this means the Regional Assembly would lose one of it's core roles- I am unsure whether the regional assembly will cease to exist)

- Strengthen the local authority role in economic development, including a new statutory duty to assess local economic conditions; and

- Support collaboration by local authorities across economic areas.

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reforms look forward to receiving your views (apparently).

see:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/regional/sub-national-review/page40430.html
and:
http://www.bmgresearch.co.uk/SNR-Consultation/KMS/news.aspx

Consultation on the draft Soil Strategy for England

2008-05-21T10:49:00.002+01:00

Consultation on the draft Soil Strategy for England

This consultation invites your views on a draft Soil Strategy for England.

The purpose of the document is to provide a sound framework for policy making and delivery with the aim of ensuring the sustainable management of England’s soils.

The draft Strategy sets out the pressures on our soils and the priority work areas that we have identified on the basis of these pressures. It explains current policy measures which are in place to achieve sustainable soil management and then sets out in broad terms what it is that we hope to achieve and some initial steps we intend to undertake in the next few years.

Deadline for responses: 23 June 2008.

See: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/soilstrategy/index.htm

Consultation on draft Regulations and draft guidance for proposals for establishing Joint Waste Authorities in England

2008-05-21T10:38:00.002+01:00

Consultation on draft Regulations and draft guidance for proposals for establishing Joint Waste Authorities in England

Defra is seeking views on draft Joint Waste Authorities (Proposals) Regulations 2008 and draft Guidance on proposals for Joint Waste Authorities in England.

Government introduced powers to establish joint waste authorities in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. This provides local authorities with another model for partnership working - one which allows them to put the partnership on a statutory footing. The powers allow two or more local authorities to submit proposals to the Secretary of State to transfer one or more of their waste functions (waste collection, waste disposal and/or street cleansing) to a new joint waste authority. Under the Act, the Secretary of State may make Regulations to make provisions as to matters to be included in a proposal and information that must accompany a proposal. The Secretary of State may also issue guidance as to what a proposal should seek to achieve and matters that should be taken into account in formulating a proposal. Local authorities will be obliged to have regard to any such guidance issued by the Secretary of State in making their proposals. Views are now being sought on draft Regulations and draft guidance.

Responses should be received by Monday 9 June 2008.

See: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/jwa/index.htm

Biofuels (Agrofuels)- The false solution

2008-04-24T13:41:00.002+01:00

Recieved via LUU Green Action email list.

There will be an anti agrofuels (biofuels) demo on May 2nd at 3pm at a location in Leeds as part of the May Day of Action on technofixes and false capitalist solutions.

The simple message is 'food not fuel' and 'greenwash/false solutions' so be creative with banners and placards

We hope to have street theatre with a cardboard car being fed food! plenty of banners and publicity and some hilarious 'greenwashing' action.

You can find out more in person at the climate camp yorkshire neighbourhood meeting on the 30th, or be at WHSmith at leeds train station at 2pm on May 2nd where there will be someone to meet you.

Yorkshire and Humber Environment Forum Newsletter

2008-04-24T12:01:00.003+01:00

FOR MORE DETAIL ON ANY STORY BELOW SEE: http://www.yhref.org.uk/ click the links to 'yhref newsletter' or read the articles under the news section. You can subscribe to recieve the newsletter (which I would recommend as I can't always pass information on in time)

One Region Living - Advanced Notice of Workshop 3
Environmental Limits and Rural Areas will be the subject of the next seminar in the popular WWF / YHREF co-production. We are currently confirming the date and venue but read on for an outline of discussion topics.

Workshop Discusses Fund to Finance Land-Based Climate Change Works
A partnership of organisations in Yorkshire is working towards a climate change scheme to pay for enhanced carbon storage in land-based projects. The scheme should help businesses who want to help tackle climate change to finance organisations that restore damaged moorlands or plant trees to reduce carbon emissions and provide wider environmental benefits.

New from WWF: The Right Climate for Change
The transition towards a low-carbon economy requires a fundamental change in the way we think about climate change at a local level. This change needs to be about extending local authority action to include communities and behaviour change. It also needs to include a recognition of our global responsibility to act-not just on domestic emissions but also on indirect emissions.

Why Place Matters and Implications for the Role of Central, Regional and Local Government
This paper highlights some of the underpinning Communities and Local Government analysis which fed into - and supported a number of recommendations of - the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR) July 2007.

Prosperous Places Consultation - 7th April to 20 June 2008
In July 2007 the Government published the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR). This provided the framework that will enable central and local government and other partners to work together to help maximise prosperity in all parts of England and tackle social deprivation and inequality. This consultation sets out and seeks views on the proposals contained in the SNR. More details...

Have your say on the future of our countryside with CPRE
CPRE are looking to the future and we want to set out some of the challenges facing our countryside. The ambition is to provoke a national debate that will lead to a consensus on how we can all protect the green spaces that make England beautiful.

Independent online - The new age of the train
Britain is witnessing the dawn of a new era of rail travel as an unprecedented demand for environmentally friendly transport encourages people to take more train journeys than at any time since the Second World War.

Reduction Film Festival
The Reduction Festival is managed by Sheffield-based companies 'Sort Of.Films Ltd' and 'Environment Room' and is dedicated to film and video content with a green/environmental theme or agenda. Sponsorship opportunities are still available so read on if your organisation would like to be involved.

The West Yorkshire Travel Plan Network
The Travel Plan Network brings together Metro, the five local authorities of West Yorkshire and the Highways Agency, to support employers from West Yorkshire in promoting more sustainable ways of travelling to work and reducing the number of people who drive alone.

Residents of UK cities ranked in eco-debt index
The residents of UK cities will plunge into ecological debt over the next month having exceeded their fair share of the Earth's natural resources for 2008, new research from WWF-UK shows.

Full details of all storues via www.yhref.org.uk

Help make your group more 'green'

2008-04-23T11:40:00.000+01:00

Changing the way you work – a green guide

Every Action Counts is hoping to convince 14,000 voluntary and community organisations to improve their green credentials. ‘Changing the Way You Work’, advises charities to produce environmental action plans to help staff and volunteers to be as green as possible. The guide shows a range of examples of how VCS groups are already making a difference and is free to download at:
www.everyactioncounts.org.uk/en/fe/page.asp?n1=230&n2=281

Yorkshire Forward taking on new roles. Yorkshire and Humber Assembly

2008-04-23T11:36:00.002+01:00

Sub-national review proposals published

The government has released their plans for implementation of last summer's sub national review of economic development and regeneration. These include; a scrutiny role of regional policy for local government and a greater role for Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) (Yorkshire Forward) who will take on some functions of the Regional Assemblies (including regional spatial planning). The review also proposes putting Multi Area Agreements (MAAs) on a statutory footing and gives further details of how the new integrated regional strategies will work.

To download a copy of the implementation plan click here: http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file45468.pdf

The roles of Yorkshire Forward and the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly will be affected by the plans.

Local people to be given more say over spending decisions.

2008-04-23T11:34:00.000+01:00

PB for All – a national Participatory Budgeting strategy

Communities and Local government are consulting over their plans for a national strategy to give local people a greater say over spending decisions. The Government wants Participatory Budgeting to be used in all local authority areas by 2012 and are seeking views on their plans. The consultation runs until 10th June.

Download at: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/participatorybudgeting

Empowerment White Paper

2008-04-23T11:32:00.001+01:00

‘Power Pack’ launched to feed White Paper

A Community Power Pack has been created to help local groups to contribute to the forthcoming Empowerment White Paper. The pack is designed to help groups hold meetings and contains advice for facilitators and organisers as well as detailed information about key empowerment issues. Feedback will be used by Communities and Local Government to inform and shape empowerment activities, including the Empowerment White Paper.

See: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/powerpack

You can read Urban Forum’s briefing on ‘Unlocking the talent of our communities’ at: www.urbanforum.org.uk/pdf_files/unlocking%20talents%20brief%200308.pdf

Leeds Voice would like to hear your views on the empowerment white paper.

The Ecological Land Co-operative

2008-04-23T11:26:00.002+01:00

Text taken from Permaculture Association e-bulletin. see: www.permaculture.org.uk

If you had to name the two biggest barriers to the ability of permaculture projects to achieve their objectives, I think it is a fair bet that the market in agricultural land - rigged in favour of the rich - and the planning system - structurally unable to accept low impact lifestyles - would come out near the top. A new co-operative business is trying to find solutions to both of these problems.

The Ecological Land Co-operative plans to buy agricultural land that is suffering from or vulnerable to intensive agriculture, and convert it into low impact, residential smallholdings with planning permission. It will then sell long leases to suitable users which will give them the security of landowners, but retain the ability of the co-operative to monitor land use and maintain high ecological standards regardless of how it changes hands in the future. The proceeds from the sale of leases will enable the purchase of further land, cover the costs of planning applications and improvements, and provide a fair return to the investors that provided the funds in the first place. Our intention is to create clusters, or hamlets, of between two and six smallholdings, sharing services and facilities.

How can you be involved? In several different ways:

- The ELC is keen to include among its steward members people and organisations that are already practicing ecological land management, from the level of allotments up to whole farms. They will be vital guardians of the organisations values as it builds up its membership, and can benefit from access to collective services and support.

- You might be interested in investing - however, at this stage it is not possible to make a share offer to the public. Instead, the only investors we can work with are self certified "high net worth" or "sophisticated" investors. If you think you might fall into this category, please do get in touch for a copy of our prospectus.

- You might want us to help you get land. By all means get in touch and tell us about your requirements - but please do bear in mind that there is unlikely to be any land available for almost a year, it may not come up in the location you would like, and to begin with demand will almost certainly exceed supply.

- You might be interested in working with us. There will certainly be opportunities for volunteers to be involved working on land we have bought, and helping with the administration and planning applications. There will also be some paid work available later in the year. By all means ask to be added to our mailing list to hear more about these opportunities as they arise.

You can contact us at info@ecologicalland.coop, or by phoning Alex Lawrie on 0845 458 1473.

Climate Camp- Yorkshire meeting

2008-04-23T11:00:00.003+01:00

Please forward far and wide to groups you are in and lists that youare on that you think might be interested.

Hello All,

On 30th April there will be a meeting in Leeds for all those hoping to be at the Climate Camp in the summer who want to be involved in Yorkshire's very own corner of the camp: The Yorkshire Neighbourhood. We'll meet between 7.15 and 7.30 at the Common Place, but we'll be moving to a nearby pub, as No Borders have the building.

It's the area where folks from across Yorkshire camp together, in the middle of which is the Yorkshire Kitchen tent, where we all the cooking, eating and neighbourhood meetings go on.

Moreover, the neighbourhood needn't just be a bit of the camp, it can also be a process of engaging people within our region, coordinating our contacting of local groups and a chance for would-be and might-be campers to meet people before heading to Kingsnorth, and for us to organise mass-transport. If we want to see Yorkshire thoroughly represented in this
year's camp, nows the time to do something about it.

Yours,
Graham Martin
Neighbourhoods and Regions Working Group
Camp for Climate Action.

Eco-towns consultation paper

2008-04-21T16:53:00.004+01:00

Eco-towns consultation paper

LEEDS HAS BEEN SHORTLISTED TO GET A NEW ECOTOWN. The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) have published a shortlist of 15 possible sites for new Eco-Towns which are now open for consultation. The Government plans to establish five new Eco-Towns by 2016 and ten by 2020 which will provide affordable housing and high standards of sustainable living. The closing date for the consultation is 30^th June, 2008.

To find out more and download the consultation: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/ecotownsgreenerfuture

The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) have been commissioned by CLG to carry out a study of the criteria for new Eco Towns and their incorporation in the Government’s ‘Growth Points initiative’.

For more about this go to TCPA’s website: www.tcpa.org.uk/ecotowns.asp

Climate Bill- Have you called for a strong climate bill?

2008-04-21T16:35:00.005+01:00

The time of decision is at hand as to whether we will have a strong climate bill that addresses emissions from air travel or a weak climate bill that ignores the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Climate Change Bill - Leeds MPs

The Climate Change Bill is coming to the Commons, and at present, it still doesn't include aviation emissions, the fastest growing source of UK GHG.
All the Leeds MPs, bar Hilary Benn, have signed up to a Parliamentary petition (Early Day Motion) calling for the inclusion of aviation, but it's votes, not signatures, that count.
We need to put pressure on our MPs to keep their promises, and vote to get aviation in the Bill

An easy way of doing this is to email your MP today:
· thanking them for supporting EDM 736 calling for the inclusion of aviation emissions in the Climate Change Bill
· and urging them to stick to their guns, and vote for aviation emissions to be included, when the issue comes before the Commons

If you want to check out the Early Day Motion for yourself, you can do so here: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=34898&SESSION=891

If you're not sure who your MP is, or how to get in touch with them, you can use this site: www.writetothem.com/

Info recieved via Green Action (a student environmental group based at Leeds Uni).

Yorkshire and Humber Climate Change Scrutiny

2008-04-14T09:29:00.003+01:00

now availible are the emerging findings of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Scrutiny Board looking at how Yorkshire Forward, the regional (economic) development agency, has performed in relation to climate change.

There is an opportunity for you to comment and encourage Yorkshire Forward to invest more of it's money in tackling climate chnage and sustainability issues. see:

http://www.yhassembly.gov.uk/Get%20Involved/Meeting%20the%20Climate%20Change%20Challenge%20Scrutiny%20Review/

Give your views before 21st April.

Aire Action Leeds Update

2008-04-11T13:32:00.003+01:00

Communications and publicity working group.
- The waterfront festival will take place on 14th June- more details to follow in late April.
- Maps are needed to promote the heritage and environmantal attractions of the waterways.
- Producing a pack of information of use to people wanting to organise events on the waterways information will include: health and safety advice, advice on riparian ownership etc.
- There is an intention to work towards a waterways and waterfront communications strategy in the long term.

Stewardship working group.
- Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, BTCV and Groundwork Leeds are running corpoate volunteering days encouraging businesses with an interest in the waterways to release staff in work hours to volunteer on river clean ups. Other activities will be planned for community volunteers which might be of interest to your group.
- Long term plans for a stewardship service funded by contributions from businesses is being considered.

Planning and Policy working group.
- Eric Cowan of the Wyke Beck Way Community Forum attendedand gave a very interetsing presentation on the apparent lack of a joined up apporach between the Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan and East and South East Leeds Area Action Plan with regards to habitat connectivety and green corrdior connections (for people and wildlife). Eric made a strong case for the need for a Landscape Plan for the Wyke Beck valley to tackle issues with flooding, future development of the land, greenspace, accessibility and other issues- no decision was made to support or resource this Landscape Plan but many agreed it would be useful.
- We worked towards a position on fencing and water safety and were surpised to discover the extent of existing fences and guardrails along the waterfront in the city centre which are relatively unobtrusive.
- A large flood defense scheme is being planned for Leeds City Centre and it will entail major engineering work that could have dramatic effects on the aesthetics of the river and could either imporve or reduce the potential for better wildlife habitats- the proposals will go through Aire Action Leeds.
- Working to identify 'character areas' highlighting there is a lot of difference between the city centre and the more deprived inner city areas that neighbour it and that a strategic apporach to making imporvements will need to reflect this.
- There is a long term aim to develop a common vision for the waterfront.
- Activity is underway to collate all the strategies, policies and action plans relevant to the waterways and to undertake an evidence base mapping process looking at riparian ownership, wildlife hotspots and other information.

Climate Change Strategy Group Update

2008-04-11T13:02:00.004+01:00

The Climate Change Strategy Group met on 7th April.

We discussed data on the responses to the consultation- I'm pleased to report 17 responses were recieved from voluntary and community groups and charitable organisations. 10 responses were recieved from private individuals- some of these responses will have been as a result of voluntary sector activity. Respondants were supportive of meaningful action.

The response rate was quite high but not enough people answered the questions about how they or their organisation can contribute to delivering the strategy. While this is disappointing it presents an opportunity for us in the 3rd sector to step into the gap and gain increased recognition of the work we already do and highlight that with support we could deliver more work to help tackle climate change.

We agreed that the new target for greenhouse gas emissions reductions would be 80% (from the 1990 baseline) by 2050 in line with government targets.

The final version of the strategy will be published around september time. Each of the 8 themed subgroups (natural environment, built environment (domenstic and non-domestic), planning and development, education and awaresness, procurement, waste, and transport) will be arranging a meeting in the near future to discuss the consultation responses relevant to their chapter and to finalise amendments to their chapters.

It was agreed that more work needs to be done on the Education and Awareness chapter because each of the subgroups has an education and awareness or communications element to their priorities. Work will continue to develop climate change education and awareness activities that get key messages to key target audiences using every channel of communication possible.

Amenities Competion- Allotments

2008-04-11T12:13:00.004+01:00

Information recieved from Tom Maynard Hon. Secreteray of the Leeds and District Gardeners Federation.

Do you have an allotment plot or site that you would like to enter into Leeds and District Gardeners Federation (in association with Leeds City Council) Amenities Competion?

Application forms can be downloaded from: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/philip.gomersall/leeds-gardeners/competitions.html
or contact leedsdgf@hotmail.com or phone Tom Maynard on 0113 279 1034

Application forms should be returned by Monday 16th June to: Tom Maynard, 223 Green Hill Road, Bramley, Leeds, LS13 4AJ. Please remember all plots to be judged need to be numbered clearly. The Show Committee will meet to discuss the judging route and times, entrants will be informed.

Can you help improve peoples access to nature in Leeds with extra funding?

2008-04-03T16:02:00.006+01:00

Dear Environment Forum Member,

Can you help improve peoples access to nature in Leeds with extra funding?

I am going to apply to Natural England's 'Access to Nature' funding to continue the work of the forum on natural environment, wildlife, green infrastructure and biodiversity issues to ensure your group has the opportunity to influence strategic decision making in Leeds. Working together we have a good chance of accessing this money to support your natural environment projects to undertake new activity to improve greenspaces and ensure people benefit from them.

If you think you can help deliver one or more of the aims below and you need a relatively small amount of funding to deliver a new project, piece of work, or activity please express your interest to get involved and I will see if I can link your project with my application.

Please let me know which of the following aims of the funding you are interested in delivering:

A greater number and diversity of people benefiting from the natural environment.
More people learning about the natural environment and gaining new skills.
More people able to enjoy the natural environment as a result of improvements in access to natural places and more connections between sites.
More wildlife-rich natural places that are sustainably managed and meet the needs of local communities.
An increased sense of community ownership of local natural places, by the creation of strong partnerships between communities, voluntary organisations, local authorities and statutory bodies.

My application will be strengthened if I can demonstrate we will deliver on the ground improvements and community focused local projects to engage people in enjoying nature. Your projects will be strengthened by joining a city-wide network of groups all working to improve access to nature in Leeds. Securing this funding will help me continue in my role to help build partnerships between community and voluntary groups and our Leeds Initiative partners so that the voluntary and community sector work together to influence strategic decision making in the city and, with increased support, deliver an improved environment that everyone in Leeds can benefit from.

If you know of any groups who may be interested please forward this information on.

At the ‘Keeping an Eye on Leeds’ meeting on Tuesday 6^th May 19:00-21:00 at Leeds Civic Hall we will discuss what individual groups will be delivering and what the overall aims of the partnership bid will be. Please inform me if you want to get involved but are unable to attend.

PLEASE NOTE: For more on what types of activity or projects will be funded see:

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/leisure/grants-funding/outcomes.htm

For more general information see:
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/leisure/grants-funding/default.htm

The size of grants is between £50,000 and £500,000 so will not be suitable for most groups in the forum to bid individually.

Please contact me to get an expression of interest form which provides detail on the type of work that is likely to be funded. Please complete and return the expression of interest form by 28^th April or inform me before 24^th April if you are developing your proposal but won’t be able to return the form to me by 28^th April.

Please contact Jon to Recieve:

1) Agenda for ‘Keeping an Eye on Leeds’ meeting on 6^th May where we will discuss our application, please let me know if you are unable to attend.

2) Expression of interest form. Please complete and return the attached form by 28^th April or let me know if you need more time to work on your proposal.

I look forward to hearing your ideas for what you want to deliver. Contact me on 0113 277 2227 or jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk if you have any questions or want to talk about what your group plans to deliver.

Environmental Limits and One Region Living in Yorkshire and the Humber

2008-04-03T15:57:00.002+01:00

The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Environment Forum report of the seminar, 'Environmental Limits and City Regions', held in Leeds on 6 February, is now available.

You can view the report by visiting www.yhref.org.uk/policy and looking for 'One Region Living'. Links to related research, case studies etc will also gradually amass on the website.

Climate Change Bill Week of Action- please get involved.

2008-04-03T13:56:00.005+01:00

Text taken from Stop Climate Chaos Leeds circular emails.

Saturday 5^th April, 11am

Climate Bill Week of Action Demonstration

This week, April 1-5, is a week of action on climate change. Campaigners across the country are taking action to publicise the importance of including international aviation emissions in the Climate Change Bill.

Friends of the Earth Leeds group will now be holding a lobby/photo stunt on Briggate in Leeds of Saturday 5th April - If you're free please pop along, the more people that turn up, the bigger the effect!

The details are as follows...

We'll be meeting outside the Leeds church institute (www.leedschurchinstitute.org/) in Leeds city centre at 11am on Saturday morning.

We'll sort ourselves out, take the photos, hopefully with the press in tow, and it will all be done by noon! Please bring banners/leaflets/action cards, etc.

For more information contact James McKay on 07968854696 or email j.mckay690@btinternet.com

FoE have the mask, and the planes, and I am more than happy to dress up in a dark suit and red tie to play Gordon, unless anyone else is very keen! I will also be bringing things to hand out to the public, if we have lots of people, and a digital camera, so we can take our own photos.

The more the merrier!

All the best,James

Tell Gordon and David to make the Climate Change Bill Count

With your help and support we won at getting the government to concede on annual milestones – one of our top 3 changes to the Climate Change Bill! So that’s one down and two to go – and there’s still time to see our two remaining changes made to the bill, which are…

- an increase in the emissions reductions target to at least 80% by 2050

- the inclusion of the UK’s share of international aviation and shipping emissions.

Go to http://www.icount.org.uk/personal_actions/459.asp

(To check who your MP is go www.theyworkforyou.com and type in your postcode)

On a related theme:

Wednesday 9^th April – Climate Chaos Café

Leeds/Bradford Airport expansion (Leeds/Bradford Airport Campaign)

The Common Place, 23-25 Wharf Street, LS1 7ED. Climate Chaos Cafe is all about discussion, information, food, chat and action on climate change in friendly and informal surroundings. We open at 6.45pm, with then about an hour of talk/open discussion from 7pm with a cheap, delicious (vegan) meal.

For more about what is currently happening on local action on climate change see:
http://www.leedstidal.org/sccleeds/sccnewspage.php

Transition Town Leeds- 19th April.

2008-03-14T12:42:00.005Z

Securing the future of allotments

2008-03-14T12:33:00.001Z

There is a national petition to the government on turning temporary allotment sites into statutory sites so they are better protected in the planning system and to more generally keep allotments ‘alive and well’. Most allotment groups on the Leeds Voice database don’t have an email address so I would be grateful if you could circulate this as widely as possible and raise it with any contacts you have from other sites/ groups. You can also encourage your contacts to sign.

See: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Keep-allotments/

Leeds Climate Change Strategy Consultation- LAST CHANCE TO RESPOND

2008-03-14T12:27:00.002Z

If you haven't yet taken the chance to give your feedback on Leeds City Council's draft Climate Change Strategy, now's your last chance. The deadline is on Monday.

Remember, only 50 returns are expected. So your response could make a big difference.

If you only have 2 minutes, just edit and copy and paste this message:

The draft Climate Change Strategy is to be welcomed insofar as it is based on the best scienctific understanding to date. In respect of this:

- the headline target of 60% by 2050 is out of date and will not help to mitigate the worst effects. The overall target should be at least 80% by 2050.
- 550ppm should never be associated with "stabilisation" as it represents less than a 10% chance that warming will remain under human control.
- The headline target should be worded in such a way as to respond to scientific understanding and never give us less than a 50% chance of avoiding "runaway" warming.

Many of the headline actions are excellent and the draft is comprehensive in its range, however
- a far more urgent and radical educational programme will be needed if any of these measures are to avoid being undermined by an ignorant electorate.
- I would also question the involvement of any private companies in the consultation process who are unwilling to sign up to the pledge to cut their own emissions. In particular, it is very clear that the financial interests of the newly privatised airport are directly contrary to the needs of the people of Leeds in the light of the science of climate change.

And send it to climate.leeds@leeds.gov.uk

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOUR CONTACTS NOW!

And thanks for taking the time to do this

Matt Carmichael and Mary Keynes
Stop Climate Chaos Leeds

Waste Resource Management- Important Decisions Being Made in Leeds

2008-03-14T11:46:00.002Z

I hope you read the waste suppliment in the Spring edition of About Leeds. If not please see:
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/files/Internet2007/2008/week10/inter__
6CF2AEB1C618150680256E16003E382D_9a645bc5-4d87-4356-9aa9-420e30795de6.pdf

The council are undergoing a process to decide what technology they want to use to treat our waste.

If you have an interest in waste resoure management and want to help arrange a meeting to discuss what view the forum should take on the proposed options please contact jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk

Please also complete the waste survey.

The Climate Bill- Week of Action

2008-03-14T09:53:00.004Z

The Climate Bill campaign is hotting up! Annual milestones have been added to strengthen the Bill. We need to keep the pressure up (we've got two more demands, see below), and I hope that you will be taking part in iCounts Climate Change Bill Week of Action: Sunday 30th March - Saturday 5th April.

1. WHY A WEEK OF ACTION
Piling the pressure on MPs to publicly pledge their support for a 'Climate Bill with Bite' is what the Week of Action is all about. We've produced everything you need to take part including Action Guides, Pledge Cards, Sample Letters and icount.org.uk

2. WHAT YOU CAN DO
We'd love to see as many activities as possible. Whether it's lobbying MPs, organising a photo stunt, public meeting, or letter writing, it all counts and adds up to more pressure on MPs, and therefore a higher chance of us winning the changes we want to the Bill, and helping to stop climate chaos.

3. ACTION GUIDES
Attached is an Action Guide full of top tips on how to get your MP to publicly support a Climate Bill with Bite. Even if your MP has already signed the EDM (EDM No. 736), please follow up and get them to sign the Pledge Card.

4. PLEDGE CARD: 'I love a Climate Bill with Bite'
The Pledge Card is the tool you need to use to draw out your MP's support. What's key is that your MP signs it, going public with their support for our demands. Once your MP has signed the Pledge Card please send it to us at the address below. We want to see lots of signed Pledge Cards!

5. ICOUNT.ORG.UK
The site is jam packed with everything you'll need to get active on the Bill (and if there's anything you'd like us to add, let us know). Log on and you'll find:

- a fantastic map showing every single event that's planned for the Week of Action. If your event isn't up there yet, please add it!

- Action Guides & Pledge Card
- Bill background & latest news
- I Count's very own podcast
- and coming soon, a viral film…

6. I COUNT COMMUNITY GROUPS MAP UPDATE
Since we launched the map in September 2007 we've made a few changes to it based on your feedback. We've hidden the message boards - sadly they seemed to be a greater source of frustration than of use! (They are still accessible if you were a fan: http://forums.icount.org.uk/forum) More positively we've added a whole brand new layer for events. Whether you're organising an event for the Week of Action or another time, post details of your event to publicise what's going on where you are. We hope that you like these changes.

A massive thank you to everyone who's getting active on the Bill. Our campaign success shows we really can make a difference. Now we need to keep the pressure up on our remaining two demands to it (see above). If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch.

I Count is the campaign of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition which brings together over 70 organisations, from environment and development charities to unions, faith and women’s groups.

I Count backs a Climate Change Bill which commits the UK to at least an 80% reduction in CO2 by 2050.

Make the Climate Change Bill count

www.icount.org.uk

Aire Action Leeds- preliminary feedback fro first working group meetings

2008-02-27T16:35:00.004Z

I attended the first post-launch meeting of the Communications and Publicity working group along with Ian Moore of the Inland Waterways Association.
A waterways festival is being planned for 14^th June (provisional date) and AAL would welcome your input, also working on a pack of advice and guidance for people who want to hold public events on or around the waterways.

I also attended the 1st post-launch meeting of the Planning and Policy working group along with Kevin Sunderland of the Aire and Calder Rivers Group and Ian
Discussed: infrastructure, reviewing and improving the waterfront strategy, flood risk management (as reported on my blog a big flood defence capital investment scheme is planned for Leeds which we will be kept informed of via Aire Action Leeds) and other issues were discussed.

Full feedback from the above meetings will be provided at the Keeping an Eye on Leeds March meeting and will be published in the minutes.

I am unable to attend the first meeting post-launch meeting of the Stewardship Working Group. If you have an interest in encouraging, residents, communities and the local workforce to volunteer to improve the river corridor for people and wildlife then we would welcome you attending on our behalf (please confirm with me first so I can arrange a place for you and induct you into our system of representation).

Kevin and Ian will be focussing their efforts on the Planning and Policy working group as they feel this is where their skills are best utilised. If you would like to represent the sector on any of the working groups please contact jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk

Leeds Strategic Plan (aka Local Area Agreement)- last chance to influence (although I expect not a lot will change now)

2008-02-27T15:48:00.004Z

N.B. the latest copy of the Leeds Strategic Plan has been uploaded to the website: www.leedsvoice.org.uk see the right-hand column of the screen.

I have a copy of the latest (at the time of writing) version of the Leeds Strategic Plan. I will be submitting my final comments to the VCFS Strategy Group on 5th March which will then feed into the Leeds Voice response. Please contact me if you want to see the latest document and contribute to any response that is submitted on behalf of the sector.

Apologies if you are new to Leeds Voice and the above sentence is meaningless. For more information (bearing in mind due to high-pressure timescales info goes out of date very quickly) see: http://www.leedsvoice.org.uk/Current%20Issues/LAA.htm

In a nutshell: Local Area Agreements (in Leeds- the Leeds Strategic Plan) are the governments idea for getting places to select 35 (or less) key 'improvement priorities' from a list of 138ish. These priorities will then guide where pooled bugets are spent- so they are very important.

Events on the Calendar.

2008-02-27T14:57:00.004Z

The Leeds Voice calander has a massive range of events on strategic decision making, better governance structures, community empowerment, representing the sector at Local Strategic Partnerships and more. I can't keep up with it all and I just add the environment-specific stuff to my blog. Please remember to check the calander, add your events and read the Leeds Voice Bulletin. The events below give a general idea of the events that are relevant to the forum but are not environment-specific. see: http://freecal.brownbearsw.com/VoiceEvents or via http://www.leedsvoice.org.uk/

Thursday, March 6 2008
09:00 - 13:30

Networking Event

Archway, 95 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS8 5AQ

InformLeeds is organising this event which will introduce you to some useful tools that can be used with groups, when advising them about the following:

· Helping groups to think strategically
· Getting Ready for Paid Staff
· Recruiting a Worker
· Agreeing a Mission
· Agreeing Aims

The tools will be demonstrated by Dave Carr from SKiLD, a national learning project for development workers based in local infrastructure organisations across England.

By the end of the event, you will have learnt some practical and creative ways to work with groups and have the tools to help you.

We will also be looking at ways of working more effectively together and it will be a good opportunity to meet other people in Leeds that are doing the same kind of work as you.

To book a place, please contact Carlos Chavez at Leeds Community Foundation on 0113 2422426 or carlos@leedscommunityfoundation.org.uk
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Monday, March 10 2008
10:00 - 16:00

Sharing our practice - Empowerment!

St. Georges Centre

A practice exchange workshop and Action Learning Session on skills for effective representation in communities
Community Empowerment Workshop: in this workshop we will be looking at the skills and abilities needed to be an effective representative of the voluntary and community sectors on Local Strategic Partnerships and other strategic groups. To do this we will be sharing our own experience and make use of a set of skills developed through recent research. The National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) has developed a set of competencies for effective representation and we'll be drawing on these to help us look at our own roles. The workshop will also focus on empowerment - how can we act as empowering representatives and leaders? How can we build skills and confidence in others as well as our selves? We'll use look at the idea of 'empowering leadership', again drawing on our own experience, as well as recent work on this carried out by NAVCA. see also Maximum 20 participants.

The Action Learning Session:
17 March, 10 to 1.30 including lunch - in Leeds (venue to be confirmed)

This informal half day session will be an opportunity for people to go into more depth to share their experiences. Using 'action learning' methods we will work in small groups to explore problems and challenges, again drawing on the NAVCA research on skills for effective representation as a broad framework. In comparison to the workshop, this session gives you more time to reflect on your own work in a supportive environment. Maximum 15 participants Both events are open to anyone from the voluntary and community sectors who are involved as representatives on LSPs, either the executive board or thematic partnerships, as well as anyone from the public sector who is interested or involved in supporting representatives.

Booking: Priority will be given to participants who can attend both sessions - complete the form attached or accessible at: www.regionalforum.org.uk/publications_resources/news/662.doc <www.regionalforum.org.uk/publications_resources/news/662.doc> We can pay travel expenses by public transport where necessary.

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Tuesday, March 11 2008
10:00 - 15:00

Improving Reach

Priory Street Centre, York

Empowering rural communities - a workshop for people who support rural community groups The Regional Empowerment Partnership is part of the National Empowerment Partnership which has been established by the Department for Communities and Local Government. The central aim of the national strategy is to improve the quality and functioning of relationships between citizens and government in order to increase the ability of people to influence to decisions which affect their lives. The main purpose of the National Partnership is to improve community empowerment and engagement by showing where they are taking place, how well they are working, what makes them work well and disseminating and applying those lessons widely. This should bring about, over a period of time, an improvement in the quality of community empowerment across England. The regional partnership will carry forward much of the practical work and the relationship with local authorities and their partners. The principal outcome being looked for is an increase in the number of people, especially people in disadvantaged areas, who participate in public issues, press for and contribute to the improvement of public services and help to shape the future of their locality. There is a particular concern about the level of involvement in decision making of people living rurally and about the opportunities available to them. It is important that the experiences of people working rurally are included in this exercise. The Yorkshire and Humber Community Development Network is a member of the regional consortium and is organising a forum for rural community development workers to look at gathering examples of good practice in empowerment and identifying gaps in strategy, provision and impact and looking at ways in which they might be filled. This workshop is free but there will be a £20 deposit, returnable on attendance - please see booking form for details. Please see <www.fcdl.org.uk/events> for a booking form, or contact Sue Leach, Admin Support Officer at the Federation: email admin@fcdl.org.uk> admin@fcdl.org.uk or tel. 0114 253 6770. If you would like to find out a bit more about the workshop, please contact Ann Hindley at ann@hindley.gn.apc.org>

What Planet Are You On? Linking Community Development and Environmental Justice- an Ideas and Action Swapshop

2008-02-27T14:17:00.005Z

I am planning to go to the event below and would encourage everyone to send at least one representative from their group. Good networking opportunity and a chance to get some grassroots partnerships set up to help different groups work together on common issues.

Booking essential, via www.fcdl.org.uk

Further info from Dhara: equalitystreet@post.com or Federation for Community Learning, 0114 253 6770, info@fcdl.org.uk

What planet are you on?

Ideas and action Swap Shop

Linking Community Development & Environmental Justice
The Carriageworks, Millennium Square, Leeds - Please note this change of venue -
10.30am - 4.00pm, 2nd April 2008

Opening Comments from Capacity Global (www.capacity.org.uk)

Keynote Listener: Kathy Kudelnitzky, Director, Leeds Initiative

Why are the largest carbon footprints being paid for by people with the smallest footprints?

We need affordable housing, but not on floodplains?!

How does what’s happening to the planet connect with what’s happening in my community?

Bring your questions, find some practical answers.

Meet people working on social and environmental justice.

Take inspiration for future actions in your groups

Please see www.fcdl.org.uk for booking forms and further information, as well as details of our other events taking place this Spring, or contact us: 0114 253 6770 / info@fcdl.org.uk / equalitystreet@post.com

Free Every Action Counts event for Community Development Trainers, Workers and Activists

Wheelchair accessible venue

Help with childcare may be available - see booking form

West Leeds Gateway Area Action Plan- Preferred Options

2008-02-27T13:40:00.004Z

If anyone responds please forward your comments to me so I can use them in any response I, or my colleague might make.

Leeds City Council is working on an area action plan for the West Leeds Gateway area, which covers Armley, Lower Wortley, Upper Wortley, New Wortley and the Heights. The plan, which is being prepared in consultation with local communities, businesses and organisations, will guide regeneration and development over the next 15-20 years.

Previous consultation – issues and options – Autumn 2006
A public consultation on the issues and options for West Leeds Gateway was undertaken during November/December 2006. Three alternative options were considered: minor change, moderate change and major change. Information is available about the West Leeds Gateway issues and options consultation.

Current consultation – preferred options - 26 February to 8 April 2008
From the consultation undertaken at the issues and options stage it is clear that there is little support for major change in the area and that the area is valued as a place to live and work by local residents and businesses. It was also apparent that the minor option would not produce the changes needed to take the Gateway forward to a viable long term future. In view of this the Preferred Options have been developed based on the medium change option. The Preferred Option concentrates on seven strategic themes and seven character areas.

The seven strategic themes are:
- Design and the Environment, Landscape, Biodiversity and Sustainability.
- Greenspace, Linkages and the West Leeds Country Park
- Outdoor Advertising
- Design, Signage and Identity
- Transport
- Health
- Employment and Training

The seven character areas are:
- Central Armley
- Armley Mills
- Canal Road and Ledgard Way
- Canalside
- New Wortley and the Gyratory
- Oldfield Lane Centre
- The Tong Road/ Wellington Road Cooridor.

Public exhibitions are being held at:

Armley Library	26 February - 8 April
Somerfield Supermarket, Armley Town Street	26 February - 1 March
New Wortley Community Centre, 40 Tong Road	3 March - 8 March
Netto Supermarket, Oldfield Lane, Wortley	10 March - 15 March
Armley Leisure Centre, Carr Crofts, Armley	17 March - 22 March
Armley Moor Health Centre, 95 Town Street	26 March - 28 March

Documents available on the consultation page:
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/Business/Planning/Planning_consultations/
West_Leeds_Gateway_area_action_plan__preferred_options_consultation
_(LDF).aspx

Preferred Options - full document	Introduction; 7 strategic themes; 7 neighbourhood proposals; funding, monitoring
Preferred Options - summary document
Poster publicising the exhibitions
Proposals maps including the seven character area insets
Sustainability Appraisal report on the Preferred Options
Statement of Proposals Matters
Report on the public consultation on the Issues and Options
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment	Link to the SFRA webpage
Online questionnaire	Complete the questionnaire online
Questionnaire seeking views of the Preferred Options	Print out and return to the address given

If you have any queries on this consultation, or would like a copy of the questionnaire in Word format, please contact us at ldf@leeds.gov.uk

All comments should be received by 5.00pm on Tuesday 8 April 2008

Climate Change- convincing sceptics and the basics

2008-02-27T11:05:00.003Z

How to convince sceptics and answer some of the frequent (and often amusing questions) that people ask....

http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/climate_change/problems/cause/climate_sceptics/index.cfm

The BBC have a good basic guide: http://www.bbc.co.uk/climate/

List of environmental and voluntary sector events

2008-02-27T10:55:00.003Z

Every Action Counts have produced this list, bookmark the page and the you can check regularly for events that might interest you. Hopefully I will be made aware of anything happening in Leeds and I will pass information on.

http://www.everyactioncounts.org.uk/en/fe/page.asp?n1=139&n2=167&n3=278

Regional Environmental Enhancement Plan

2008-02-26T11:59:00.003Z

The thoroughly-updated Regional Environmental Enhancement Strategy is availible via http://www.yhref.org.uk/. It contains a 5 year Manifesto and Action Plan for the Region's Environment.

The new Strategy has arrived through a 2 year review of the original 2003 version, with several consultations. The most important things people wanted to see were a clearer statement of the region's environmental agenda, that everyone else's strategies could contribute to, and a unifying aim for the whole strategy of 'living within environmental limits'.

Action Central at the Common Place

2008-02-26T11:57:00.001Z

Ever felt like it is hard to know how to take action? Ever had a good idea for an action but not had enough people to do it with? Want to know more about direct action and ongoing
campaigns in Leeds?

On Sunday 16th March 2008 The CommonPlace will be hosting
Action Central 6.30 - 8.30pm (ish)

A monthly sunday evening meal and get together to chat, share information about upcoming actions and campaign meetings and inspire each other to take action about the problems around us.

Everyone welcome, please send this to any action or campiagn group you are involved in, or individuals who might be up for it.

If you are interested in helping this happen monthly please let me know on: tummyfiller@riseup.net

Yorkshire and Humber Assembly - Climate Change Scrutiny

2008-02-26T11:45:00.005Z

If anyone from Leeds plans to go please let me know. I am attending a 'key stakeholdr' focus group on 3rd March so will be feeding in to the consultation. If you have a question or comment please contact me to raise it on your behalf.

Whose responsibility is it to tackle climate change in the region?

Are we making the right interventions at a regional level? And are they having an impact on hitting the regional target?

What else could/should we be doing?

What do you think are the challenges and opportunities that climate change presents to the region's economy?

The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly would like to hear your views about tackling Climate Change and the role that Yorkshire Forward and the Regional Economic Strategy can play. The Assembly's Scrutiny Board, supported by regional Sustainable Development expertise, will be reviewing the progress that has been made in achieving the regional greenhouse gas emission target of 20-25% between 1990 and 2016. They will look at the role that Yorkshire Forward plays and focus on the challenges and opportunities that Climate Change can offer the region. Your involvement is vital to the success of the scrutiny.

Over the next month the Assembly's Scrutiny Board will be speaking with key partners in the region and would like to hear your views. There are a number of ways to do this:
*Come to the public discussion and pose your questions to Yorkshire Forward on Tuesday 18 March 2008, The Courtyard, Boothferry Road, Goole 10.30- 3pm. Booking online at http://www.yhassembly.gov.uk

*Write to us or email us with your views and experiences to mailto:scrutiny@yhassembly.gov.uk by Thursday 20 March 2008.

*Log onto the Assembly website to access key documents and feed in your
views - http://www.yhassembly.gov.uk

What Jon is planning to ask:

Can we simultaneously aim for economic growth and greenhouse gas emission reductions?- what takes priority?

How are we going to decouple economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions increases?

How have the findings of Stern Review informed regional economic decision making? (I think Stern is overly optimistic- but embedding the findings would be better than business as usual)

Can we refocus on quality of life and sustainable development (sustainable livelihoods and 5 types of capital) as a measure of success/as a goal instead of economic growth?

I've got papers for the 'key stakeholders' meeting in Barnsley if anyone wants me to forward them please get in touch.

Healthy Leeds Partnership- Small Grants

2008-02-26T11:38:00.001Z

Some Health/Environment links. Green Gym, allotments, walking and cycling, healthy eating etc.

SPECIAL GRANTS: Development Grants for Small Groups The Healthy Leeds Partnership small grants programme has recently piloted ‘even smaller’ grants fund for new or developing groups. It was such a success that we now have been able to allocate some extra funding for run it 'til the end of March!
Grants of up to £500 (1000 for two groups working in partnership) are available to groups who demonstrate fresh approaches and new ideas to improve health and wellbeing in a local community. The application process is simple and straightforward and applications will be looked at as soon as they received so that applicants do not have to wait long for a response.
This is a "first come, first served" grants programme, so please get your applications in ASAP!
For further information, an application form and guidelines please contact lisa.mallinson@leeds.gov.uk or ring Lisa Mallinson 0113 247 4759 Joint Planning Officer - Health and Wellbeing Healthy Leeds Partnership
www.leedsinitiative.org/health

Transition Town Leeds.

2008-02-26T10:44:00.004Z

Fowarded via Leeds Ecovillage yahoo group.

Hi everyone,

We are a group organising a public meeting to launch Transition Town Leeds - an umberella project for supporting, creating and networking between all sorts of local initiatives aimed at creating a sustainable future for Leeds.

The idea is to hold a full day public event - we hope to attract about 200 people - where people can learn about how they might be affected by the problems of climate change and peak oil, and then take part in open space discussions to explore how they can be part of creating local solutions, and develop ideas about how to take the transition town idea forward.

Our ideas for the day are quite ambitious, & to make it work really well it would be brilliant to have a team of helpers to provide food and clear up whilst the event is going on, and also to help rearrange chairs as we move into the different parts of the day. We will have the use of a kitchen at the venue, so we could either bring food in ready made and heat it up, or make it on site. We thought of serving soup made from locally-sourced produce as the main part of lunch. We will also need to serve drinks at various points, and it would be good to have a range of snacks on offer too.

The meeting will be from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 19th April, at Centenary House, which is at the top of Vicar Lane We will need people there at all times (not necessarily the same people!), and it woud also be great if a few people could help set up beforehand, or the night before, and stay to clear up afterwards.

If anyone is willing to help with this and can spare time on that day, or even help with food preparation beforehand, can they please give me their contact details; perhaps we can then set up a short meeting nearer the time to sort out the logistics of the day.

Thanks ever so, & sorry to anyone receiving multiple copies of this!

Ellen

Ellen Robottom contact: ellenrobottom@hotmail.com

For More on the Transition Town see: http://transition-city-leeds.wikispaces.com/

IWA Welcomes British Waterways’ Budget Allocation Announcement

2008-02-26T10:39:00.004Z

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) welcomed the announcement by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs ( DEFRA) yesterday confirming that the settlement for British Waterways of grant-in-aid of £57.64million would be inline with expectations, as promised by the Minister, and not subject to any further cuts.

DEFRA also announced that the Environment Agency grant would amount to £796million, although the Agency has yet to announce what proportion of this it will allocate towards navigation.

Speaking on behalf of IWA, John Fletcher, national chairman, said;
“IWA is acutely aware that this flat cash settlement is really a cut, once the level of inflation is taken into account. Whilst we are disappointed that the current financial climate and previous mismanagement of DEFRA’s budget have made it impossible to reinstate the previous levels of grant-in-aid to the navigation authorities, it could have been much worse. We are, however, pleased that all of the hard work put in by our members in lobbying their MPs to protect what funding was available, in the immediate period before Christmas has paid off. I would like to personally thank everyone for the tremendous effort that was put in to protect the allocation, during the department’s budget review process”.

“We welcome the positive influence of the new Waterways Minister, Jonathan Shaw MP and the hard work of his officials in ensuring British Waterways’ budget has not been yet further reduced after the major cuts experienced last year, despite the Department’s difficult financial position”.

“If IWA has a criticism in all of this, it is that we are disappointed at British Waterways’ lamentable lack of visibility in fighting for its share of grant, and thus failing to champion the waterways in this process. It appears to IWA, that this passivity is the principle reason that caused British Waterways to have to withdraw from the Cotswold Canal partnership. British Waterways appears to have abdicated its leadership role in the development of the waterways and seems to be leaving the voluntary sector to take up the yoke. Notwithstanding 60 years of campaigning by IWA, some things don’t appear to have changed. The need for an active waterways campaign movement today is a great as ever.”

The DEFRA budget allocation can be seen at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/busplan/spending-review/budget0809.htm

Want to influence better planning decisions? want to secure or develop land? Get training on how s.106 agreements can be used.

2008-02-26T10:27:00.002Z

Following two successful `Planning for non-Planners' training programmes in 2006 and 2007 Yorkshire Planning Aid is now delighted to be able to offer a much-requested day-long training seminar on s106 agreements.
Date: Thursday 10th April 2008
Venue: St. George's Centre, Leeds

The Ethical Property Foundation (EPF), in partnership with The Town & Country Planning Association (TCPA), are developing guidance and training for community groups, planning professionals and developers on maximising community benefit via s106 agreements. As part of this project, EPF is sponsoring this seminar in the Yorkshire and Humber region, to help equip community groups with the basic knowledge and skills required to effectively engage with the s106 process and secure real community benefits.'

Integreat Yorkshire is jointly sponsoring this seminar as part of its mission to deliver community learning in place-making specialisms such as planning. Integreat intends to utilize the learning from the seminar to inform future regional events to help up-skill planners and developers in respect of community/community group s106 related needs.

What to expect from the day
This one day seminar will use a mix of presentations, practical workshops (involving real life planning applications and s106 agreements), role play and discussion groups in order to increase your understanding of the s106 system, the roles of the key players in it and the opportunities which exist for communities to influence it.

The seminar is aimed at:
•neighbourhood action groups – groups in areas of development who want to know how they can protect and enhance their neighbourhood through the planning process;
•community & voluntary groups – groups whose more general community work has brought them into contact with the planning system;
•charities – seeking to secure or develop an asset (land or buildings) for the charity through the planning process;

What you will get out of the seminar
•An understanding of what s106 agreements are, and what s106 monies can and can't be used for;
•An understanding of how the process of negotiating, drawing up and implementing a s106 agreement works, how this fits with the planning and development processes, and what opportunities there are for community groups to get involved at various stages of the process – from negotiating content to enforcing delivery;
•Knowledge of the key players in the s106 process (local authorities, developers, community groups) and the parameters within which they operate (eg planning policy for local authorities, economics of development appraisal for developers);
•An appreciation of the implications of the above points for how community groups engage with the s106 process;
•An understanding of how community groups can get involved in influencing s106 agreements strategically, rather than on a site by site basis;
•An awareness of the likely future of s106 in the light of the latest Government proposals on Community Infrastructure Levies and any opportunities to influence this;
•The chance to raise issues, problems and concerns that you have about the workings of s106 so that they can be taken on board in the EPF study & influence future Integreat professional development sessions.

For further details please contact Jacqui Baines at Yorkshire Planning
Aid.
jacqui.baines@planningaid.rtpi.org.uk
Tel: 0113 237 8486

Low Carbon Cities Event- Jon attending

2008-02-26T09:51:00.005Z

I'm going to this event as one of a handfull of Leeds representatives. If you have anything in particular you want me to talk about (e.g. a successful project/ campaign from Leeds) or find out about (e.g. what are poeple in other cities doing to develop CHP networks) then please get in touch jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk.

Low Carbon Cities Event: City Wide Opportunities
Core City Event: 5th March 2008, London
A cross-sectoral and community-wide approach to carbon reduction is essential if we are to make a success of the climate change indicators in the Local Government Performance Framework. The Low Carbon Cities Programme (LCCP), co-developed by the Carbon Trust and Energy Saving Trust, is an innovative city-wide approach to carbon reduction. Three cities – Bristol, Leeds and Manchester – are developing plans with outputs which could be utilised by the other core cities and councils in general. The outputs include a city-wide carbon reduction ‘toolkit’; carbon emissions benchmarking software for the city; and other tools and events to enable and drive a true cross-sectoral approach to reducing carbon emissions across a city.

As part of the Programme, we are running two events for all 8 of the Core Cities, to enable sharing of experiences and cross-fertilisation of ideas. The first of these events is being held on Wednesday 5th March at the Holloway Road Resource Centre, Islington, London.

We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to this meeting. The event is aimed at a cross-section of stakeholders from the Core Cities – including the health sector, universities,
transport, housing, businesses and the voluntary/community sector, as well as the City Council itself. Participants should be owners / implementers of strategies within these organisations, and at a suitable level of seniority to influence the direction your organisation takes in contributing to a truly city-wide approach. CEOs and elected representatives will have an opportunity to attend our second ‘all city’ event, which will take place in mid-May.

The meeting is being held in the London Borough of Islington, and we will be hearing from members of their Climate Change Partnership on the progress they have been making in bringing a wide mix of stakeholders together to deliver real partnership action on climate change.

At the meeting you will be able to:
• Discuss the key learnings of the three cities participating in the Programme and
explore how they could impact on your city
• Get inspiration from colleagues in all of the Core Cities, and from further afield
• Work with colleagues to identify city-specific opportunities to work together to deliver
action on climate change
• Learn about technological opportunities and other support programmes that are
already available to cities, and how you can take advantage of them
Places are strictly limited, and so we are looking for a core team of about 7-8 stakeholders
from each city to attend.

Groundwork- Young Persons Climate Change Volunteering

2008-02-18T10:28:00.003Z

Future Footprints is an exciting new youth volunteering opportunity taking place in Leeds and Calderdale. If you are aged between 16 and 25, this is your chance to get involved in this new project that places you at the centre of action on Climate Change. You could become a member of the Climate Change Steering Group or just volunteer on one off activities.

If you want to know more check out
www.groundwork-leeds.org.uk/futurefootprints

or contact Katherine, the Future Footprints Coordinator at
katherine.myles@groundwork.org.uk
0113 238 0601

Yorkshire CND meeting 22nd Feb

2008-02-15T15:50:00.004Z

To view the flyer (or is it flier?) for the Yorkshire CND's meeting in Leeds discussing their opposition to US missile defence bases click here...

Leeds- Transform the City

2008-02-15T15:44:00.001Z

This Sunday!

Transform the City!
An action planning event at the Common Place.
All welcome

www.thecommonplace.org.uk

6pm Sunday 17th February

Sick of skyscrapers, posh offices, yuppie flats and overpriced
entertainment in Leeds?

Do you really live it and love it?
Or do you want something else?

April 11th and 12th 2008 will be European days of action to transform
and reclaim our cities.

As part of this there are plans to hold a weekend festival of resistance
and creativity in heart of Leeds city centre.

All skills, ideas and interests are needed to transform the city. Let
your imagination run free and help us dream another city!

Transform-create-beautify-reclaim-recycle-improve-share

Environment Council Training

2008-02-15T15:40:00.002Z

The Environment Council is a unique and independent charity dedicated to improving decision-making processes so that people can build lasting, sustainable solutions to environmental issues.

The Environment Councils 2008 Open Course Programme is packed with exciting and dynamic training courses that will add value to your professional skills.

All sectors are increasingly aware of the importance of communicating openly and effectively with clients, the public, funders, colleagues and electorate. The Environment Council's Open Course Programme will equip you with the skills to engage effectively with those you work with to enable inclusive (consensual), transparent and sustainable decision-making.

To learn how to facilitate effective meetings, identify and recruit the right stakeholders, design dynamic engagement processes, evaluate your impact, or just to have an informal discussion about any of your learning needs, please call the Training Team on 0207 632 0138/0118 2008

Programme Details

Fast Facilitation 2nd April, 8th May, 3rd Sept, 23rd Oct.
This course provides an opportunity to gain an overview of facilitation and to learn a variety of basic techniques in a fast paced one-day course. Suitable for those with little to no previous experience of facilitation, this course will equip you with the skills and understanding to both participate more effectively in meetings as well as to facilitate small to medium sized groups, building your professional capacity and confidence.

Practical Facilitation Skills and Principles (3 days) 4-6th Mar, 20-22 May, 23-25th Sept.
We all have different values and ideals, and this in depth 3-day course will help you to develop the skills to facilitate dynamic and inclusive meetings and workshops. Stakeholder engagement is a structured process that brings together individuals or organisations to create consensual, mutually beneficial solutions. From our extensive practical experience of facilitated engagement, it is only when all perspectives are respected and taken into equal consideration that truly sustainable decisions are made. This course is suitable for those with little or no experience of facilitation who want to develop the skills and confidence to learn how to effectively and creatively engage people in meetings, seminars and workshops, learning and practicing these skills in a supportive setting.

Evaluating Engagement 6th Feb, 10th April, 3rd June, 16th Sept, 8th Oct.
This course is suitable for those with some experience of engagement and/or communications processes who want to learn how to demonstrate and communicate their project's impact to their stakeholders; ensure accountability and resource efficiency, and appropriately and effectively evaluate their engagement processes.

For more information on any of the above courses or details of our bespoking services please visit http://www.the-environment-council.org.uk/training.html

Environmental and Climate Justice e-seminar

2008-02-15T15:35:00.002Z

A very interesting idea this e-seminar.

You are invited to join the EcoRes Forum from 11-24 April 2008 for "Environmental (In)Justice: Sources, Symptoms, and Solutions", the second in a series of online dialogues focusing on the ethical, political and socio-cultural aspects of climate change.

As experts call for swift action in response to accelerating climate change, the words "global warming" have become commonplace. Headlines and commentators tout the latest technological developments, politicians focus on greening their platforms, and concerned citizens in MDCs check their house insurance and consider relocating to higher ground. Adaptation is underway.

But what about those who can't make that choice? Those forced to cope with changes they can least afford, changes to which they contributed little? As the data continues to pour in, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer's warning is being confirmed – over and over again: "The most
vulnerable communities in the poorest countries, those who have contributed nothing to climate change, will be the worst affected by its impact."

As the growing numbers of unemployed, displaced and dis-eased climate refugees and victims of injustice outpace projections, one thing is clear: Our task, our ethical responsibility, is to ensure that this indefensible discrimination does not continue. What will this require?
Nothing less than incorporating fully the interrelated principles of environmental and climate justice across the board, at all levels, in all decision-making platforms, throughout all societies.

The purpose of this dialogue is to raise awareness among participants about environmental and climate justice: what these concepts mean, underlying causes and symptoms of EJ/CJ injustice, how this injustice may be rectified, and related elements ranging from national immigration
policy and internaional contraction and convergence proposals to xenophobia and racism.

PANEL OF EXPERTS: Joining the Forum panel will be Drs. Julian AGYEMAN (USA), Patrick BOND (South Africa), Robert D. BULLARD (USA), Michael DORSEY (USA), and Shirley THOMPSON (Canada), internationally known and respected leaders in their fields. Additional panelists are being announced throughout March.

BREAKOUT DISCUSSIONS: Proposals for self-directed breakout discussions and presentations on related subjects may be submitted to forum@eco-res.org. Each selected presentation will be provided with a stand-alone webpage and unlimited discussion threads within the Forum
website, with limited server space provided for presentation materials.
Deadline for proposals: 18 March 2008.

NEW FORMAT!! EcoRes is pleased to introduce its new web-based e-conference format, which will be hosted on the Forum website. Registration is required for participation, with materials accessible as read-only for non-registrants.

The EcoRes Forum e-conference series brings together academics and activists, scientists and social critics, researchers, journalists, community leaders and members from around the world, offering a unique opportunity to learn from and network with like-minded citizens. By
offering the series free of charge, crossing cultural, disciplinary and geopolitical borders, and removing the financial and logistical barriers to participation often encountered by those whom climate change threatens most, EcoRes continues to encourage wide-ranging stakeholder
participation, with registrants from over 90 countries taking part in previous issue discussions.

Join us as we discuss this urgent need for widespread political and societal transformation: For more information or to register for the April event, visit the EcoRes Forum at http://www.eco-res.org.

We look forward to sharing this thought-provoking discussion with you!

The EcoRes Forum Team
http://www.eco-res.org

Online Registration Now Open: http://www.eco-res.org/register.html

Green Social Enterprise

2008-02-15T15:30:00.004Z

Is your enterprise going green?
Carbon footprints, climate change, recycling affecting your organisation?
Social Enterprise Link are holding a networking event for social enterprises across West Yorkshire looking at the opportunities being environmentally aware can have on your organisation.

26th February at Meanwood Valley Urban Farm, 10 am – 12.30pm

During the workshop we will hear from speakers including consultants and people running social enterprises to look at how organisations can incorporate an environmental policy into their organisation. There will also be a marketing expert to give guidance on how to promote the policies and also look at the market opportunities for new business, expansion or diversification.
The event aims to provide practical solutions and there will also be a discussion session. If you would like to topics for this session or would like specific questions answering please send these to lucy.p@sesc.info.

The event is free for those working for social enterprises in West Yorkshire. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

To book a place, please contact lucy.p@sesc.info

Film Showing: Everything's Cool....

2008-02-15T15:23:00.002Z

'EVERYTHING'S COOL'
The incredible story of a handful of global warming messengers speaking out in a time of disinformation.
Tuesday 16th February at 6.30pm in Leeds University, Parkinson Building Room B.09 "EVERYTHING'S COOL is a toxic comedy about the most dangerous chasm ever to emerge between scientific understanding and political action - Global Warming. While industry-funded naysayers sing their swan song of scientific doubt and deception, a group of self-appointed global warming messengers are on a life-or-death quest to help the public go from understanding the urgency of the problem to creating the political will necessary to push for a new energy economy."

Get up to £200 for community/ environmental projects

2008-02-12T13:13:00.002Z

I'm not adding this to the funding section of the blog becasue the deadline is so short. Details below.

Several of us put on an awareness/fundraiser night called GrassRoots at the Burley Liberal. We raised more money than anticipated for Green Action and thought it would be a nice idea to set up a Grant scheme so that individuals or groups in Leeds can apply for upto £200 to help them either set up or maintain a community/environmental project. GrassRoots is about awareness raising aswell as fundraising, and the great thing is that people have fun on the night and communities/environment can benefit from it afterwards. Attached is the application form. Please spread far and wide!
The deadline is the 11th of March contact: unigreen@leeds.ac.uk for more information or contact jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk for an application form

For the next GrassRoots part of the money will go to buying fruit trees/shrubs, herbs and other plants to plant in Rosebank Millenium Green in Hyde Park/Burley. They started an orchard there whiose fruits are available for any member of public to feast on, sadly there were not enough people to look after it. The plan is to give ebrybody who comes to the next GrassRoots a chance to help plant and maintain the orchard in the future!

Leeds Friends of the Earth New Members’ Event

2008-02-11T09:34:00.000Z

Leeds Friends of the Earth New Members’ Event

Leeds Friends of the Earth is holding a new members’ event on Tuesday 4th March, 7:30pm, at the Victoria Hotel pub, Great George St, Leeds city centre (behind Leeds town hall).

Leeds Friends of the Earth is making its voice heard on local, national and international green issues. From fighting for action on climate change, to making Leeds a greener and better place to live, we work for what we feel passionately about, with people who feel the same way.

Come along for food and drink, the chance to find out who we are and what we get up to, and to see if you want to join in!

Any questions, call James on 07968 854696, or email us at leedsfoe@hotmail.co.uk

Leeds Climate Change Strategy

2008-02-08T14:36:00.004Z

The Leeds Climate Change Strategy is out for consultation until 17th March. It aims to reduce Leeds' greenhouse gas emissions and to help us to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

To download the strategy go to: www.leedsinitiative.org/environment

The Environment Forum will be holding a workshop for voluntary, community and faith sector groups to share ther views on the startegy with one another and George Munson Leeds' Climate Change Officer who has led the Climate Change Strategy Group. Please come along, everyone is welcome.

Date: Tuesday 4th March
Time: 19:00-21:00
Venue: Leeds Civic Hall
Meeting name: Keeping an Eye on Leeds

When the agenda is ready it'll be posted on: http://www.leedsvoice.org.uk/Theme/Environment/MinutesAndAgenda.htm

As some background to our involvement with the strategy:
We have representatives from the forum on the Climate Change Strategy Group and subgroups including: Natural Environment Subgroup, Planning and Development Subgroup, Built Environment Subgroup and Jon, the forum coordinator, chairs the Education and Awareness subgroup and attends the Climate Change Strategy Group. George Munson came to one of our monthly meetings to explain Leeds was preparing a climate chnage strategy becasue it is a signatory to the Nottingham Declaration. The forum held a workshop to collate and input ideas into the decision making process. We have been fully engaged as an equal decision-making partner at all stages of the strategy preparation process.

(apologies for any typos but my spell checker isn't working)

Leeds: Are we going in the right direction?

2008-02-05T12:38:00.000Z

http://www.geog.leeds.ac.uk/groups/leedsdirection/

Leeds: Are we going in the right direction?
Place: Rupert Becket Lecture Theatre. Michael Sadler Building. University of Leeds
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Thursday 28th February.
Drinks and nibbles
Free
EVERYONE WELCOME (no need to book)

Leeds has enjoyed major economic success in recent years, becoming the fastest growing city in England and number one financial centre after London. Its universities attract thousands of students and retail is booming. All this is reflected in the changing face of the city centre. But is the price of success now too high? The well loved Corn Exchange shops are all but gone; Kirkgate Market traders await an uncertain fate; skyscrapers and over-priced flats are set to dominate the skyline with little consultation while affordable council housing is demolished;

So we ask: Is Leeds going in the right direction? What does the general public think? Are there any alternatives?

This event will discuss the positive and negative things that are happening to Leeds as well as proposals for change. Leeds City Council has a major role to play but it is not alone – the public must have a big say in the future of the city.

Come to this Public Event where your views will be heard, debated and recorded in a public report.

Organised by academics at the University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University
Chaired by Andrew Edwards from BBC Radio Leeds ‘Andrew and Georgey’s Breakfast Show’
For more information contact whorunsleeds@leeds.ac.uk

If anyone from the forum is able to attend please give me some feedback.

Grants for installing microgeneration/ renewable energy

2008-02-05T12:20:00.000Z

Low Carbon Buildings Programme: Phase 2
Phase 2 of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP2) supports the installation of microgeneration technologies for organisations in the UK public and not-for-profit sectors. Grants are available for the purchase and installation of: solar thermal hot water, solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, ground source heat pumps, automated wood pellet stoves and wood fuelled boiler systems. The LCBP grants are managed by Building Research Establishment Ltd (BRE) on behalf of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).

For details please visit: www.governmentfunding.org.uk
In the search area type ’Low Carbon Buildings Programme: Phase 2’ and scroll down for the details

The 'third sector', the economy, environment and sustainablity

2008-02-05T09:28:00.000Z

I provided the draft for 2 chapters in an 'enterprise paper' being produced by Sally-Anne Greenfield of Leeds Community Foundation. She is taking this to present to key partnerships and decision makers. A full copy of the final paper will be made availible. If you want to know more about the economic contribution of the voluntary, community and faith sector then take a look at the 'Ripple Effect' report on Leeds Voice's Website.

I welcome feedback, additions and comments send to jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk

4.1 Indirect Economic Contribution

In addition to the direct contributions detailed above, further factors needs to be taken into account that are as important, if not more important. However, they are also more difficult to measure or define and are referred to as social capital or added value. In other words “soft outcomes” - the extra and sometimes intangible benefits that the sector provides. These are incredibly important benefits yet they don’t appear in a balance sheet or accounts, nor can they easily be quantified. What is certain, however, is that they contribute to a healthy & successful economy.

DFID / DEFRA have produced a “sustainable livelihoods framework (www.livelihoods.org) that examines the types of capital (livelihood assets) that people can access in order to enjoy a good quality of life and contribute towards the elimination of poverty. They include:

Human capital - an individual’s skills base and ability to perform certain tasks
Social capital - support networks and relationships such as friends, family, community and professional relationships
Physical capital - ‘man-made’ infrastructure and goods
Natural capital - the environment and the life-sustaining services it provides
Financial capital - an abstract concept based on the socially constructed ‘value’ or ‘price’ of various things- it does not reflect the true cost of economic activity (e.g. environmental, social and human costs)

Access to all types of capital is important to achieving sustainable livelihoods. Many VCFS groups work with the most deprived communities and aim to provide improved access to capital through providing new infrastructure, restoring the environment, creating and developing social networks, imparting new skills and inspiring confidence that empower people to exert more influence ob their livelihood outcomes secure better access to the capital required to enjoy a high quality of life.

Human Capital: VCFS learning providers improve the job prospects for a wide range of learners and volunteers through providing new skills. VCFS employers often gain access to free or reduced training and learning opportunities and improve the future employment prospects of their paid and unpaid workforce. VCFS health and wellbeing projects help people achieve good health, avoid ill-health and help people suffering long-term health problems; healthy people or people given support to deal with ill-health are more economically productive.

Social Capital: the VCFS create new networks and plan projects that aim to improve community cohesion and reconnect marginalised or socially isolated groups and individuals. Building and strengthening relationships provides an improved support base for those experiencing economic hardship and also creates opportunities for economic development and growth.

Physical Capital: The VCFS create and maintain physical capital for the benefit of communities this includes: community venues such as resource centres providing everything from business start up and enterprise support to a place to build social relationships and a place to learn new skills; community green spaces provide health and wellbeing benefits as well as improving the environment of an area and achieving regeneration objectives.

Natural Capital: Many VCFS groups actively restore degraded environments and thus improve the environment. This has a huge range of knock-on benefits - for example a good quality environment means less costs associated with ill-health caused by degraded environments (e.g. respiratory conditions, sedentary lifestyles caused by uninspiring outdoor space).

Financial Capital: The aforementioned figures from the ‘Ripple Effect’ report go some way to highlighting the direct economic contribution of the VCFS in staff/ volunteer time and bringing funding into Leeds and spending or investing it. Through improving people’s access to capital (appropriate learning opportunities, higher quality environments, positive social relationships and community need-focussed physical capital) the VCFS has a massive impact on the financial capital of Leeds, particularly for those communities and individuals most in need of improved livelihood opportunities.

A further added value is that of Strategic Advocacy & Representation. Many of the VCFS groups also act as advocates of innovative strategic priorities. This involvement can be seen as a ‘transforming structure or process’ that influences decisions that directly affect the availability of capital and peoples access to it (their vulnerability context). The grassroots services provided by the VCFS can also be seen as a ‘transforming structure or process’ helping people to help themselves by altering their vulnerability context (access to capital) and utilising the capital accessible to them to create livelihood strategies that lead to improved livelihood outcomes.

These are not the only indirect economic benefits the sector brings. Others include:

Value for money. The opportunity cost is often cheaper because it is sourced & delivered locally, often uses volunteer i.e. un-paid support and can operate at a micro-level. The figures above show that, to replace the contribution of volunteers with paid workers would cost the city an extra £xxxx a year.

Narrowing the Gap. Two of the three aims of the City are “narrowing the gap” and “going up a league.” It is widely recognised that we will never achieve the 2^nd, before we address the 1^st.One of the aims of this paper is to demonstrate that the VCFS does contribute to both agendas. What is abundantly clear is that the city will never succeed with narrowing the gap if there is no healthy, vibrant 3^rd sector in Leeds as only the 3^rd sector members can really address the root causes and issues in the city, working in the most hard-to-reach parts of a community, dealing with individuals with significant, multiple, complex, long-term issues.

Multiplier Effect. This is the way in which the sector attracts and delivers added value. If you invest £100 in a VCFS group, it can use this to attract other investment into the city. In addition, the beneficiaries get direct benefits – increased confidence, improved health, access to learning etc. A healthier third sector has more money to spend on staff, resources, premises etc, the vast majority of which is sourced locally, thus re-investing in the city. Many VCFS members use volunteers and, by improving their skills & their self-confidence, help them become more “job-ready”, potentially entering the employment ladder.

4.2 Contribution to environmental sustainability

Environmental sustainability and related issues are becoming increasingly important on micro- and macro-levels. It is generally acknowledged that we need to live within environmental limits and achieve sustainable livelihoods where everyone in society has access to the capital they require to enjoy a good quality of life.

Economic growth results in constantly rising greenhouse gas emissions. This is false growth as the ‘externalised’ costs (not picked up by polluter be they producer or consumer) will catch up with us and cause macroeconomic crisis with the associated human, social and environmental costs. This includes the economic impacts of more frequent and severe extreme weather events, loss of life and life-sustaining infrastructure, global food shortages caused by long term trends e.g. increasing regularity and duration of droughts. It has been estimated that there is approximately 40 years delay between emission and environmental impact. The costs of climate change alone could wipe out all the benefits of economic growth if not tackled through a rapid transition to a low carbon economy (see Stern Review).

The 3^rd sector in general has placed a high priority on ensuring we protect our environment and this is demonstrated in a range of ways:

Campaigning groups and concerned citizens informing and influencing key decision-makers
The growing network of organisations with a focus on recycling – be it furniture or paint recycling, community compost schemes etc
Educational projects in schools, providing the next generation of consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions

In addition to this more direct delivery of related environmental services, the 3^rd sector also contributes in other important ways:

Many 3rd sector groups are based locally in communities. A commitment to using their products and buying their goods & services could thus lead to reduced transport costs and less carbon emissions
Fair Trade and the growth of community-based organisations committed to using these products

In terms of achieving truly a sustainable and equitable economy we must only use our fair share of the planet’s resources and ensure we protect the environment for future generations- we should aim to achieve ‘One Planet Living’ on a city district scale and become an exemplar to inspire other cities to follow our lead. Our key goal as a city is to achieve the best possible quality of life for all in the city in a way that is sustainable- the economy is just one ‘realm’ in which decisions should be influenced by this goal.

Climate Change and Conflict Transformation Lecture

2008-02-04T13:17:00.000Z

Climate Change and Conflict Transformation
Senator George Mitchell Centre for Peace & Conflict Resolution Seminar Series

Wednesday 13 February, 6.30pm, Lecture Theatre E , Leeds Met Headingley Campus

Hugh Miall, Professor of International Relations, University of Kent.

Humanity faces a double crisis: the depletion of fossil fuels and climate change. Both of these will become severe over the next half century. Conflicts of interest between rich and poor, fuel producers and energy consumers are impeding a collective response. This lecture explores ways out, drawing on the tradition of thinking about conflict in peace and conflict research.

This is the second event in the Senator George Mitchell Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution lecture series. To register please contact:

Hannah Massarella
0113 812 5263
h.massarella@leedsmet.ac.uk
http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/international/age

Stop Climate Chaos Ice Rink Meltdown Party 2nd March

2008-01-29T10:15:00.000Z

Sunday 2nd March
ICE RINK MELTDOWN PARTY
with Radio Aire & Stop Climate Chaos Leeds
12-4pm, Millenium Square, Leeds The last day of the ice rink will be marked by the Radio Aire Meltdown Party and draw attention to the issues surrounding climate change. Including: Ice Skating, Fancy Dress, Climate Change Speakers and Radio Aire Outside Broadcast Volunteers needed for - ideas and organisation, running a stall, publicity, photography, dressing up as a polar bear and climate change speakers. If you would like any more information or to volunteer please email: info@sccleeds.org or call 07723 352097 or 0113 3917917 (Wednesday)

Stop Climate Chaos- Activity at Millenium Square- 13th Feb

2008-01-29T10:13:00.000Z

Wednesday 13th February
Stop Cliamte Chaos:Media Stunt at the ice rink, Millenium Square Volunteers needed for - photography, publicity, dressing up as a polar bear! designing and producing a placard, and manning a stall. If you would like any more information or to volunteer please email: info@sccleeds.org or call 07723 352097 or 0113 3917917 (Wednesday)

World Development Movement Climate Change Workshop 6th Feb

2008-01-29T10:12:00.000Z

Wednesday 6th February
WDM Leeds Meeting - Climate Change Workshop
Victoria and Commercial Hotel, Leeds
WDM's climate campaigner, Tim Jones will run the workshop - Climate Change: Is Corporate Power Cooking the Planet? For more information contact Mary Keynes - mary@keynes.wanadoo.co.uk

Climate Change Club Night 2nd February

2008-01-29T10:08:00.000Z

Friday 2nd February
GRASSROOTS - Climate Special, Burley Liberal Club, 9pm - 2am High Pressure Soundsystem playing heavy dub/reggea, recycled decor, FREE shop, DIY crafts, bar, find out whats going on in Leeds to change things (i.e. info area), teastall, Vital Visuals, fancy dress with RUBBISH theme - winner recieves selection of recycled crafts and a drink from the bar! £2 before 10.30 and £3 after, all fundraising will go to green action food co-op revamp and GreenPeace.

Climate Chaos Cafe

2008-01-28T11:37:00.000Z

Information recived via Leeds Sustainability Network.

Here is the programme for the next four months of Climate Chaos Cafes! Pretty exciting stuff...

Climate Chaos Cafe is all about discussion, information, food, chat and action on climate change in friendly and informal surroundings. We open at 6.45pm, with about an hour of talk/open discussion from 7pm then a cheap, delicous (vegan) meal and plenty of time to discuss and chat over a cuppa or a beer.

Climate Chaos Cafe started in Leeds in 2007, it aspires to open doors for discussions on issues that affect all of us, so we can learn from each other. It's less about experts and more about sharing knowledge and information in an open and comfortable environment, focusing on what can be done locally, linking global issues to local campaigns and groups that aim to address them.
It's a collaborative effort so help is always welcome cooking, clearing and setting up - come along anytime after 5.30pm if you'd like to help out....

Climate Chaos Cafe programme 2008:

Jan 30th - Peat bogs: why we need 'em (Cath Muller)

Feb 13th - Transition town: what would a real transition look like? (Paul Chatterton)

Feb 27th - Capitalism and Climate Change (Brian, David and Keir)

March 12th - What Leeds City Council are doing about climate change and how we can make them do more (Leeds Stop Climate Chaos)

March 26th - Decentralised energy (Leeds Greenpeace group)

April 9th - Leeds/Bradford Airport expansion (Leeds/Bradford airport campaign)

April 23rd - The spirituality thing: friend or foe? (Matt Carmichael)

May 7th - Technofixes: the truth (Claire)

May 21st - Is it too late? (exploring responses positively) (Matt Carmichael)

June 4th - How can art be part of working towards a sustainable future? (Kathryn Cooper)

It all happens at The Common Place, 23-25 Wharf Street, Leeds. We're a collectively run social centre and we're here: http://www.multimap.com/maps/?hloc=GB|ls2%207eq. We're close to the market, bus station and Parish Church, about 10 mins walk from the train station.

Aire Action Leeds

2008-01-23T16:20:00.000Z

What is Aire Action Leeds?

Aire Action Leeds, is a river management partnership in Leeds working to create better waterways for people and wildlife; now and in the future.

Aire Action Leeds focuses on the River Aire, the Leeds & Liverpool canal and the Aire & Calder Navigation that all run through Leeds.

The partnership involves a number of organisations working together to protect and improve the appearance, wildlife richness and encourage more people to actively use the waterfront whether they live, work or visit the waterways and their waterfront. A network of cleaner, greener and safer waterway will support and encourage more vibrant activity for all users. This will also benefit and enhance the wildlife of the waterways and waterfront; generating a sustainable green linear park. Working together will make the waterfront a more vibrant place for people to enjoy and a better place for wildlife such as ducks, swans, herons, salmon, trout, otters and watervoles.

The Partners Aire Action Leeds is part of the Leeds Initiative. The core partners who support and guide the work of Aire Action Leeds are: British Waterways, Environment Agency, Leeds City Council, Yorkshire Water. The environment forum is represented at Aire Action Leeds by Kevin Sunderland of the Aire and Calder Rivers Group and Ian Moore of the Inland Waterways Association. Kevin is focussed on imporvemnts to benefit wildlife and Ian on imporvemnts to benefit people (although both have a general interest in imporving the Aire for both people and wildife).

The partnership of Aire Action Leeds was previously SORM (State Of the River Management).

Three working groups are being set up to help deliver on Aire Action Leeds' objectives.

1. Communication & Publicity
Market and promote as a recreational and educational resource, promote events, accessibility, heritage, art, wildlife, signage and interpretation. Will work with businesses, users, volunteers along the waterways.

2. Planning & Policy
Influence planning and policy processes to improve the accessibility, character and environmental quality. Driving force for implementing the Leeds Waterfront Strategy. Will work with a number of different stakeholders along the waterways.

3. Stewardship
Operational delivery of improvement projects to improve the Environmental Quality and Appearance. Will work with businesses, users, volunteers along the waterways.

Currently our reps; Kevin sunderland of the Aire and Calder Rivers Group and Ian Moore of the Inland Waterways Association both sit on the planning and policy working group. This works well as Ian is particularly knowledgable about waterways users and their needs and Kevin has specialist knowledgeable about wildlife and it's needs. I am trying to bring voluntary sector people from the other working groups into the environment forum. If you would like to represent the forum on Aire Action Leeds please contact me jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk 0113 277 2227.

Linking Community Development and Environmental Justice

2008-01-22T14:37:00.001Z

Linking Community Development and Environmental Justice

Meetings planned for 20 February and 12 March, Leeds .

Community development has always had 'social justice' as a core principle. As climate change starts to impact (more frequently and more severely) on our lives, with a social justice perspective we can see that it is the poorest and most marginalised communities that struggle the most. For example, many are still recovering from last year's floods. Broaden your focus to a global view and this pattern is repeated, the lifestyles of the 'haves' impacting greatest on the 'have-nots'. The largest carbon footprints are being paid for by people with the smallest footprints. We need to be looking at and addressing social and environmental justice in our community development work and developing tools and analysis that can help address these injustices through collective action, sharing of knowledge, learning from each other, reflecting on our practice.
- Are you involved in community development and/or environmental justice work?
- Do you have knowledge and experience that you are willing to contribute to creating learning materials?
- And would you like to help shape a conference on the links between community development and environmental justice in Leeds on the 2nd April? (more details of this conference will follow)
Then we'd like to hear from you!

As part of the Federation for Community Development Learning's continuing work on environmental sustainability issues (funded through the government's Every Action Counts programme) we would like to invite you to two morning meetings, followed by lunch, to:
- Meet others interested in environmental justice and community development
- discuss what we mean by environmental justice
- explore how environmental justice issues can be applied in community development work - share examples of good practice
- suggest and begin drafting learning materials and learning ideas for a 3 hour taster pack and for a day long conference in Leeds
- decide the aims and content of the conference on 2nd April (Leeds Library has already been booked) and who should be there.

The meetings will be held on Wednesdays 20th February and 12th March, 10.00am - 2.00pm at the Henry Moore Institute, next to Leeds City Art Gallery in the city centre. FCDL can support travel costs and childcare/dependent care costs. If you are interested in attending, please contact Sue Leach at FCDL: admin@fcdl.org.uk or phone 0114 253 6770. Places are limited, so please contact us soon.

These websites were mentioned by the organisers as providing useful background reading on the concept of Environmental Justice
.
www.redpepper.org.uk/article320.html

www.capacity.org.uk/resourcecentre/informationsources.html

Leeds Strategic Plan (Local Area Agreement)

2008-01-22T11:34:00.000Z

Leeds Voice's wepage has a lot of information about LAA's and the Leeds Strategic Plan, including the report of consultation, the 135 national indicators from which Leeds must select 35 imporvement priority indicators.

See what the environment-related indicators are.

See: http://www.leedsvoice.org.uk/Current%20Issues/LAA.htm

I am looking at what our influence has been. Immediately I notice that reducing the Leeds' carbon footprint has been expanded to consider other environmental impacts. It now reads reduce Leeds' ecological footprint as was suggested in the forums' response to the consultation.

New Nuclear Power- Is there a rationale?

2008-01-15T14:50:00.004Z

Here is what I posted before on nuclear power presented in a much more dispassionate way- hopefully I will not have to remove the post this time. If you disagree or agree with anything on the blog and feel the need to comment please email me and use the 'comment' feature to publisicse your comment against the appropriate story.

The government decided to build more nuclear power stations last week. The have recently changed the planning system to allow nuclear plants to be 'sped through' the planning process- this means less opportunities for people to influence planning decisions.

What we want:
- Affordable energy
- Less greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution
- Secure supply

Clearing up the debate:
- many argue the 'energy gap' being filled by nuclear until 2030ish (20% of electricity) could be filled by improving efficiency and significant and meaningful (i.e. massive and necessary) investment in renewables and cleaner fossil fuel technologies.
- research shows that even 10 new reactors would cut the UK's carbon emissions by only about 4% some time after 2025- Greenpeace. Renewables, energy efficiency and carbon sequestration are what we should be focusing on for climate change.
- although the government has promised this generation of reactors won't be subject to the same massive subsidies as the previous generation- if companies go bust the taxpayer will pick up the bill.
- nuclear power requires uranium that must be imported, so if there are problems with supply it will effect energy production, therefore it is limited in improving security of supply.
- the waste issue. It's currently hanging around and building up- there is NO solution to dealing with radioactive waste- it can't be made safe, only wrapped in multiple layers of materials and left in storage.
- the risk of terrorist attack.
- there is only a very small probability of reactors going 'pop' but it is misleading to say nuclear is 'low risk' because if one or more did go 'pop' then the consequences could be severe.
Risk= (probability of ocurrence) X (losses per occurence). It is like the 'sword of damocles' there is a low risk that it'll fall on his head but if it does then he's done for.

Decentralised energy is the future- it is more efficient and adaptable. Further investment in nuclear locks us into the centralised system where more energy is wasted in transmission before it even reaches the user. It will also send out the wrong message on the potential for renewables, cleaner use of fossil fuels, CHP and energy efficiency.

If you have been convinced that new nuclear stations are desirable then I'd like to hear what points led you to that conclusion so that I can re-examine my views and this post.

Nuclear power

2008-01-14T15:23:00.000Z

The government have announced they will be allowing a new generation of nuclear power.

I have removed my previous post as it was based on my opinions. I will add a more objective objective post on this topic shortly.

Thanks.

Tall Buildings Design Guide

2008-01-09T09:48:00.000Z

Tall Buildings Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

As part of the Local Development Framework (LDF), Leeds City Council is undertaking formal public consultation on the above Draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) together with an accompanying Sustainability Appraisal.

The consultation period for this SPD will run until Monday 18th February.

The Tall Building Design Guide sets out to establish clear principles and advice to ensure that tall buildings are well designed in appropriate locations enhancing the skyline at the same time.

A Sustainability Appraisal (SA) document has also been produced. This has thoroughly assessed the draft SPD against environmental, social and economic effects which would result from applying the SPD. The SA provides a systematic way for checking and improving on the SPD as it develops.

In accordance with the Statutory Regulations, the City Council has also produced a Statement of SPD matters.

We would welcome any comments on the documents. The Council will consider all representations received during the consultation and as a result will make any changes that are considered appropriate and necessary. Subject to the satisfactory completion of this process, it is anticipated that the SPD will be adopted by the City Council in spring 2008. Requests to be notified of the formal adoption of the SPD can be made on the comments form.

From 7 January, you can access the documents at the following locations:
· Web – www.leeds.gov.uk/ldf (PDF versions of the documents are available for viewing & downloading)
· Development Enquiry Centre - The Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington St, Leeds, LS2 8HD (Monday to Friday 08:30 - 17:00, except Wednesdays 10:00 - 17:00)
· Libraries and one-stop centres within Leeds District.

You can also telephone (0113) 2478144 to obtain a copy of the cd and/or documents or e-mail ldf@leeds.gov.uk

Comment forms can be faxed, emailed or posted to the Leonardo Building address above.

Special arrangements can be made to translate the documents into any language (free of charge) by telephoning (0113) 2478092. If you have other special needs please contact Henry Skrzypecki on (0113) 3960538 who will be pleased to assist.

Text taken from an email sent by David Feeney, Head of Economic Planning & Policy.

Please use the comments section to share your views with other forum members to help them respond to the consultation.

Bali Climate Talks

2007-12-14T09:35:00.000Z

History:

(for details of Kyoto Protocol see pages on UN Framework Convention on Climate Change website http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php)

Outcome of conference:

I am unsure whether the 'Bali Road-Map' was the best possible outcome- it could have been worse though.

In the dispute between the US and the G77 Majority World (Developing and Less Economically Developed Countries) , the EU backed the G77. Some of the Kyoto signatories wanted to move ahead without the US on board, this move was blocked by Canada. Eventually the US was forced to back down and accept the proposal by the G77 due to overwhelming pressure. (The reaction of environmental activists and public pressure were instremental in forcing the US to back down from blocking the G77 amendment and had to agree to participate in the preparation of the 2009 treaty.)

Overall outcome:
Agreed that a new treaty on global warming will be signed in 2009. Also agreed to improve technology transfer to the Majority World and to set up an adaptation fund which reconises that countries with a high carbon footprint need to compensate those countries which are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Wait and see!- Will binding targets be ambitous enough? How will meaningful technology transfer be achieved? Will enough be pledged to the adaptation fund to allow poor countries to be resilient to climate change? It depends on the international political environment when the final decisions are made in 2009.

For more information see: http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_13/items/4049.php

In previous communications I have given the link to Avaaz.org a global campaigning organisation that responds to pressing issues through mobilising a global network of activists to put pressure on governments to respond to the issues with positive action. I expect they will be putting pressure on governments to ensure the 2009 treaty is as robust as possible.

http://www.avaaz.org

Huge Range of Training Availible

2007-12-13T11:52:00.000Z

Training ranging from 'getting local people active and involved'; 'preparing effective funding applications'; 'project management'; 'tackling anti-social behaviour in green spaces' and much, much more.

There is bound to be something of interest to you see: http://shop.btcv.org.uk/etn

Yorkshire and Humber Microgeneration Conference & Awards 2008 - 6 March 2008 - Sheffield

2007-12-13T11:40:00.000Z

Microgeneration Yorkshire have confirmed the date of the 2008 Y&H Microgeneration Conference and Awards which are to take place at the Holiday Inn Royal Victoria Hotel in Sheffield on Thursday 6 March 2008.

for full details on the awards (including details for how to submit an application for an award) and details of the conference please see Microgeneration Yorkshire's website or click below to be taken directly to the conference page: http://www.my-energy.org.uk/MY/THE2008REGIONALMICROGENERATIONCONFERNCEANDAWARDS-sig.nsf?OpenDatabase

Loads of money being spent on flood defense in Leeds

2007-12-13T10:07:00.000Z

(text taken from a Leeds Sustainability Network circular email)

80M river defences are to be built in Leeds to stave off potentially "catastrophic" flooding.

Riverside walls and earth embankments will go up at points most in danger from the River Aire and improved drainage aims to cut the risk of flooding from surface water.

The work will start following an investigation by the Environment Agency (EA) and is expected to be finished by 2010-2011.

Flood defence blueprints are also being drawn up for other "at risk" areas lower down the Aire and on the River Calder.

The plans follow publication of a report from the EA into floods in June and July this year, and in2000.

The agency is working with Leeds City Council and emergency services on the plans which will include protection of electricity and water supplies, and sewage disposal.

Most of the funding is expected to come from the Government but businesses and local councils who stand to benefit will also be asked to contribute.

In addition Leeds City Council has updated its city centre emergency evacuation plan.
The report says 2,000 houses and 1,000 businesses are at most risk in the city.

The agency has identified areas at gravest risk: Leeds city station, The Calls, most of the city centre and parts of Kirkstall valley.

The EA estimates that for every pound spent on defences in Leeds six pounds in damage will be saved.

Construction work on the flood defences is expected to cause considerable disruption in the city.

The full article contains 355 words and appears in the newspaper. Last Updated: 07 December 2007 9:39 AM
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/80m-to-prevent-floods-disaster.3566090.jp

Flooding and Water Management in the Landscape - Sheffield 17-19 March 2008

2007-12-13T09:53:00.000Z

The Yorkshire & Humber Assembly is supporting a major conference on the theme of ‘Flooding and Water Management in the Landscape’ to be held at Sheffield Hallam University from Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 March 2008. It will cover the lessons of history and landscape change for the future and the impacts of climate and other environmental changes.

The conference will include speakers from the Environment Agency, ADAS, Halcrow, the Assembly, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management and various academic institutions. In addition there will be a community and conservation management dimension looking at the impacts of flooding and the responses to extreme events.

If you would like further details or are interested in attending, please contact the Conference Team on 0114 272 4227 or email info@hallamec.plus.com

DEFRA Funding Cuts- Impact on Waterways

2007-12-11T12:24:00.001Z

In a previous post I mentioned the cuts to DEFRAs budget. I payed particular attention to waterways. Please read on to get an overview of the effects of the cuts on waterways as written by one of our Aire Action Leeds reps; Ian Moore of the Inland Waterways Association- West Riding Branch.

Report to KEoL Meeting for 5th February 2008
At the adjournment debate in Parliament on the future funding of canals in the UK on Tuesday 11th December, the Waterways Minister, Jonathan Shaw MP, said that he expected the budget for British Waterways would now be broadly around flat cash for a three-year period.

This sounds better than the previously reported Comprehensive Spending Review settlement to British Waterways for the next three years which was suggested to be £54 million minus 5% each year.

However the full details of the final settlement are not expected to be announced until the end of February 2008.

British Waterways has just announced (4th February 2008) that it has decided to withdraw from a major partnership project (the Cotswolds Canals Partnership) following a review of funding commitments for the next financial year and the diversion of significant funds to progress the urgent first phase of a repair programme for the Brecon & Abergavenny Canal, which breached last year.

The IWA has strongly condemned this decision as it puts at risk a £11.9 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

There is still concern about the rising cost of waterways use leading to the less well off and the elderly on fixed incomes being priced off the water. BW has for example announced an average mooring price increase of 7.4%.

This will ultimately result in social exclusion from the waterways if only the affluent can afford to go boating. And this could create further division between the boaters who are individually paying the most and the other users, like walkers, who are individually paying substantially less through taxation.

Further information can be found at www.waterways.org.uk

Report to KEoL Meeting for 4^th December 2007

It was reported in mid November that the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are having funding problems due to the costs of the outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease, Blue Tongue Disease and Bird Flu. And there would be no additional money available from the Treasury. This would make further funding cuts seem likely to British Waterways (BW) and the Environment Agency (EA), which are DEFRA sponsored agencies.

This is on top of the recent funding cuts, which started in 2006, when DEFRA was unable to meet its financial obligations due to a major overspend particularly over late payments to farmers via the Rural Payments Agency. With no further funding available from the Treasury, it cut funding to the various agencies under its control, including the Environment Agency and British Waterways.

For the following year, British Waterways’ grant-in-aid from the government for 2007-8 was cut by 12½% from it’s 2005 level of £62.5 million.

There was a campaign against the cuts, and in parliament there were numerous early motions, 3 adjournment debates and a select committee report into BW, which is available at: www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmenvfru.htm

As part of the cabinet reshuffle at the beginning of July 2007, there was an almost complete change in Ministerial posts at DEFRA with only Lord Rooker remaining. Local MP for Leeds Central, Hilary Benn became the new Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. And a new Waterways Minister (Jonathan Shaw, MP for Chatham and Aylesford in Kent) was appointed.

The new DEFRA team has said it will do "everything within its power" to assist British Waterways. And there have been some discussions about changes that would allow British Waterways to use its assets more effectively.

However the Comprehensive Spending Review settlement to British Waterways for the next three years is reported to be £54 million minus 5% each year. And the parliamentary select committee were extremely concerned at BW’s forecasts of the impact of this settlement on the maintenance of its waterways network.

British Waterways has been hard hit by this summer’s flooding and the recent breach in the Brecon and Abergavenny Canal - a total additional cost of over £10 million.

BW is currently consulting on a 33% or more boat licence increase over the next 3 years. Other costs such as moorings are rising. There is a concern that this will price some people, especially those with fixed incomes, off the waterways. And of course will have a knock on effect on waterside businesses etc.

The cost of boating has been rising above inflation for some years and is becoming something that only the better off can afford and thus an issue of social inclusion. And it has the potential to polarise users. Those that are paying the most may feel that they should have first call on how money is spent.

But boats using the waterways bring them alive and are an essential ingredient to making the waterways so appealing to so many people.

And of course cuts in maintenance can affect all waterways and towpath users.

For the UK population of 60 million, the grant-in-aid from the government to British Waterways works out at less than a pound per head per year.

For the latest Information see the IWA’s Head website at www.waterways.org.uk

There was a Westminster Hall debate on the issue of waterways funding held on 11/12/07 see:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmtoday/cmwhall/01.htm#hddr_4

Regional Biodiversity Strategy- Consultation Deadline Approaching

2007-12-11T12:10:00.000Z

I have just recieved details of the Regional Biodiversity Strategy Consultation via the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Environment Forum e-newsletter (18/1/08).

The consultation documents can be viewed via:
http://microsite.yhub.org.uk/articledetail.aspx?article=EAA2F8AE-3915-4006-BF65-D9F1EDC9CF6F&dom=yorkshirehumberenvironmentforum

The deadline for responses is 25/1/08. I apologise for not informing you of this deadline sooner. I asked to be sent a copy of the documents as soon as they were availible but for some reason I didn't get them.

I mentioned the Regional Biodiversity Strategy (RBS) in my post about the Sustainable Development Advisory Board. Below is the write up of the workshop I participated in. Watch this space for information on the consultation.

WORKSHOP SESSION 1
How does biodiversity link with the IRF (Integrated Regional Framework) and the region’s landmark issues?
Attended by:
David Smith
Association of West Yorks Authorities
Arthur Barker
Hambleton District Council
George Munson
Leeds City Council
Steve Littlewood
Leeds Met University
Jon Holland
Leeds Voice
Rose Norris
Local Government Y&H
Richard Wilson (Facilitator)
Natural England
Andrew de Freitas
NE Lincs Council
Graham Joyce
Pennine Prospects
Brian Rooney
Wakefield MDC
Paul Mosley
WWF
Andy Horrocks (Facilitator)
Yorkshire & Humber Assembly
Chris Martin
Yorkshire & Humber Assembly
Richard Wood
Yorkshire & Humber Assembly

Landmark Issues
Sustainable transport
Climate change mitigation
Climate change adaptation
Productivity and innovation
Housing markets and affordability
Public health and obesity
Skills and education
Violent crime
Diversity and equality
Regional growth

What are the dangers to the natural environment that solutions to landmark issues might present?

- biodiversity struggles to achieve attention/resources against more immediate challenges.

-very generally, little understanding among policy makers and implementers of what biodiversity is, how it is important and what their role is.

- sustainable transport – big risk from setting aside too much land for production of biodiesel. Danger of increased industrial agriculture and extensive mono-cultures.

- sustainable transport – increased use of biofuels risks habitat destruction through more mono-cropping of fuel crops and the export of the same problem, e.g. sugarcane production in rainforest.

- growth in the region – the need for transport links – could increase traffic on roads until infrastructure catches up – increased carbon.

- renewable energy – wind power risks to biodiversity

- risks that “quick fix” responses to mitigate climate change/reduce CO2 might adversely impact environment (biofuels?? Wind and hydro power??) careful assessment needed.

- drive for biofuels (green) putting at risk existing networks or at least at odds with potential other land uses with greater biodiversity value.

- limate mitigation –ve /+ve - pressures/changes to land use linked to biofuels

- climate change adaptation – Poorly planned species selection not resistant to changing weather patterns, e.g. lack of frosts to trigger flowering in some tree species.

- climate change adaptation – changing climatic zones making protecting isolated and small ecosystems impossible

- climate change adaptation – damage to natural environment by flood defence

- productivity – biodiversity impact assessment not well enough understood and loads costs onto development projects – often unnecessarily when regulatory/regulator understanding is scant.

- increased productivity – could lead to same situation as South East in terms of env. Impact!

- will the greener solutions for housing be in the right places for jobs?

- over-development of some areas for economic/housing development may negatively impact on biodiversity.

- affordability and density of housing development. Can we develop affordable housing that gives people green space of value to wildlife, growing produce, leisure …

- housing development on Greenfield and brownfield sites.

- dangers – short-termism. Big push to find new sites for housing may squash out good biodiverse sites (including some brownfield!)

- obesity and health inequalities are largely based in urban areas – need to ensure that opening up the “great outdoors” for people to exercise, walk, etc, doesn’t lead to more cars in rural areas!

- the public’s engagement and buy-in on issues like biodiversity can reinforce inequalities (i.e. usually educated people)

- diversity and inequality – relegating the natural environment to an ‘acceptable cost’ to bear in
levelling up economic disparities.

- diversity & equality and regional growth - these two can be in conflict – need to try to avoid bland development.

- regional growth – necessary housing growth will destroy habitat and increase fragmentation of habitat.

- directing growth/managing growth needed to ensure biodiversity assets retained. Need new development linked to habitat creation?

- housing and growth – growth pressure = threat to biodiverse brownfield habitats; urban green
spaces and greenfield sites. Planning system used to secure appropriate planting and multi-level green space (green roofs and terraces)

How can the natural environment help to address the landmark issues?

- provision of green infrastructure network needs to include provision for non-vehicular transport.

- sustainable transport and public health – high quality, green space encouraging people to walk and cycle more

- climate change adaptation – considerable opportunity to provide links from ‘island’ sites in water retention/storage schemes, e.g., prevention of drying out wetland areas, etc, restoration/creation of flood plain and restoration of rainwater in upland catchments.

- climate change will both adversely and beneficially affect different species/habitats. Need a network of ‘routes’ and opportunities to allow change to take place.

- crossover between climate change adaptation and natural environment -> green infrastructure / flood risk mitigation.

- opportunities for carbon capture sequestration through changed land uses with greater biodiversity value.

+ve – Flood risk management solutions offer huge potential to create opportunities for natural env. enhancement, recreation, leisure and tourism.

- natural environment has central role in climate change adaptation. RBS needs to consider key elements of regional social adaptation and develop its role in responding.

- climate change adaptation – urban green infrastructure and green roofs promoted and enhanced to reduce flash flooding and urban heat island effect.

- climate change mitigation – high quality natural and semi-natural environments promoted to encourage more local holidays and less aviation. Need for well developed local tourism infrastructure.

- climate change mitigation – greater use of locally sourced natural building materials (e.g. wood, stone, etc). Skills and acceptability issues.

- climate change mitigation and adaptation – large-scale upland peat-bog protection and re-establishment. Mechanism to value downstream flood alleviation and carbon sequestration.

- ownership issues vital to resolve.

Climate change mitigation – carbon sequestration offers opportunities to restore/protect habitat, e.g. woodland/pasture.

Loss of biodiversity (or threat of) related to climate change has strong communication power.

Climate change mitigation – potential for new mixed woodlands to provide both locally sourced food (fruit and nuts) and biomass from thinnings.

Provides a focus for education and learning (resource)

Positive impacts on neighbourhoods from rich biodiversity/natural landscapes (feelings of wellbeing?)

RBS need to look at natural environment aspects of innovation in response to climate change, i.e., creation/engineering of natural environment to maximise cc adaptation potential.

Innovation – green solutions to building materials, energy use with reduced reliance on petro-chemical derived energy input and derived products.

Good stewardship and land management absorbs CO2 and can help manage water/drainage.

Role of habitats in slowing/reducing flooding.

Sustainable transport – develop more GI/transport corridors (greenways) to encourage walking and cycling as practical (and affordable) alternatives for short journeys.

Health/obesity – increase opportunities and incentives to utilise the natural environment as a ‘green gym’ to achieve individual health gains.

Public health and obesity – access to open space / local fields (landscape pressures)
+ve Innovation – Natural environment has huge potential for new ‘crops’ in the biochemical area replacing petro-chemical sources.

Open the outdoors up for people to help reduce obesity and health inequalities.

Outdoor activity, raising awareness of habitats.

Need to use urban greenspace creatively. Allotments can help engage people with the environment and can help meet health outcomes and can be positive re biodiversity.

Can obviously provide the backdrop for exercise/leisure

Public health and obesity – access to open space – local/fresh foods.

Rich natural environment promotes healthier lifestyles

Productivity/innovation – innovative use of natural resources within the region, e.g. renewables/biomass.

Does natural environment have a role in rehabilitation of violent criminals? Is this a way of sourcing ‘novel’ resources for biodiversity delivery?

Environmental enhancement can help and re-engage people at risk of entering into criminal activity. Can also help re-interest young people in education and gaining skills.

Housing markets, etc – ensure that developers (public and private) build GI into new (and existing, where possible) developments using S106 or other planning tariff type mechanisms.

Rich biodiversity and green infrastructure – resource attractive for inward investment and jobs.

Housing market affordability – attractiveness of natural environment

GI has a key role to play in community cohesion. This may well link into diversity and equality solutions.

Inclusion of green roofs/walls can enhance distinctiveness and bring environmental benefits (including biodiversity)

Climate change adaptation and mitigation – understand the potential role of the South Pennine (and other) Moors to prevent further CO2 emission (erosion, fire, etc) and sequestrate additional CO2 (eg aviation, road growth).

Regional growth – identify opportunities for benefiting the natural environment through new development and increasing focus on environmental sector as a growth sector.
+ve – Regional growth/productivity – the regional tourism economy has huge potential for growth based on its existing and enhanced natural assets. –ve – outside region visitors expending resources to visit.

A ‘whole system’ approach will help ensure this works and is sustainable in itself – solutions are often driven by a number of factors.

Regional growth – natural environment help to address negative implications, e.g., air quality, access to space, quality of life.

Natural environment can contribute to regional economic growth. RBS needs to i.d. a small number of demonstration events/cases/examples.

Fish and Biodiversity on the Aire- Comment on plans for Skelton Grange Weir

2007-12-11T11:33:00.001Z

At our December meeting we were encouraged to learn of the prospects for the Aire to provide a breeding habitat for thousands of salmon and an improved habitat for a wide range of other species.

A key barrier to fish movement are weirs. The weir at Skelton Grange can be removed to improve biodiversity. This was proposed as part of a planning condition attached to an application from Npower for development at their adjacent site.

Npower put in an application to remove the condition enforcing the removal of the weir if planned development went adhead at the adjacent site. Npowers application to remove the condition enforcing the removal of the weir has been refused. That means that npower will have to remove the weir as part of their development.

See the comments section for my response on the apllication.

Climate Change Course for Laypersons

2007-12-04T11:28:00.000Z

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint in 10 Weeks.

Enrol now on this exciting new course – one the first of its kind in the region.
Where: Park Lane College Leeds Horsforth Centre, Calverley Lane, LS18 4RQ
When: Thursdays 7 – 9pm (starting on 19th April for 10 weeks)
Cost: £66.00
Learn about: the science behind climate change/ recycling/ tree planting schemes & carbon offsetting/ how to reduce your bills and output/ transport/ buying local goods/ making a wildlife garden/ the politics of climate change/ carbon neutral holidays.

Keep a carbon diary and when you complete the course you will receive a college certificate, or alternatively we will plant a tree in your honour.
PLCL offer a wide range of other full and part-time learning opportunities, enhanced
by 14 acres of green belt land to work on. Other planned courses include: drystone
walling/ willow weaving/ bat identification & biology/ wildflower & grasses identification
courses/ foundation degrees in environmental conservation, and plant use & design.
To enrol or for more details contact:
T. 0113 216 2414
E. a.lloyd@parklanecoll.ac.uk

CABE Sustainable Cities

2007-11-30T11:11:00.001Z

http://www.sustainablecities.org.uk/

http://www.sustainablecities.org.uk/participants/leeds

Regional Decision Makers

2007-11-30T10:54:00.000Z

Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber

“The Government Office for Yorkshire and The Humber works with organisations across the region to deliver Government policies and programmes and to contribute a regional perspective in their development. As the representative of central Government in the region, we promote effective integration of policies and programmes so that they reflect priorities at regional and local level. Our Aim is to deliver thriving and sustainable communities across the region by working in partnership, ensuring effective delivery of Government programmes and informing policy development to:

Improve the economy

Improve the quality of life of all those who live or work in the region, and the quality of experience for those who visit

Protect and improve the natural and built environment “

http://www.goyh.gov.uk/goyh/

Yorkshire Forward

“Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency charged with improving the Yorkshire and Humber economy.”

http://www.yorkshire-forward.com/www/index.asp

Yorkshire and Humber Assembly

“The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly works closely with partners on key regional issues, and to promote and champion the region nationally and internationally. We lobby for the very best deal for Yorkshire and Humber and all its communities.”

http://www.yhassembly.gov.uk/

The Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) is important for influencing Leeds planning policy and is taken into account when deciding planning applications. There are some proposed changes to the RSS, including a weakening of the requirement for new developments to have on-site renewable energy generation. To make a representation on the proposed changes please see:

http://www.goyh.gov.uk/goyh/plan/regplan/propchanges/

The deadline for responses is 21st December 2007

Leeds Decision Making Structures

2007-11-30T10:13:00.000Z

Click on the image above to view the structure of the Climate Change Strategy Group. If you would like to fill any of the 'rep needed' vacancies to represent the forum on this decision making structures please contact jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk

Details of other decision making structures, including Aire Action Leeds will be added in the near future.

Climate Change Condensed- COIN Training

2007-11-26T12:08:00.000Z

Climate Outreach and Infromation Netwrok (COIN) are running a one day course on climate chnage. They are marketing it as an 'all you need to know' course.

Next training: Sheffield, 13.12.2007 5-8pm

Central United Reform Church, 60 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 2JB

Tickets: £10 (individuals); £20 (charities); £50 (local authorities); £70 (business) Places limited so book soon - to book email mim@coinet.org.uk or call 01865 727911.

COIN has created a fantastic new 3-hour 'all you need to know' course which uses the carefully-concocted recipe of expert knowledge (we bring the experts to you on film), group discussion and pair work. We ask you to come with your ideas and concerns and we will give your confidence a power-boost and give you the energy to go back out and get active.

The course covers the basic science of climate change; extreme weather & home impacts; what the opinion polls tell us about public feeling on climate change; what the politicians & leading experts are saying; feelings which climate change brings up for us all; why is it important to take urgent action?; how much time we have in which to act; emissions reductions and different possible scenarios; can it be done?; where do we start?; look at your own life and consider what action you can take right now which will have an effect; how do we create change? - strategies for different groups/situations; group pledges.

DEFRA funding cuts

2007-11-26T11:37:00.000Z

I previously circulated details of a Inland Waterways Association campaign to protest cuts to DEFRAs funding which have reduced the money availible to maintain and enhance the waterways.

It now looks likely that DEFRA's budget will be cut further affecting funding it allocates to British Waterways, the Environment Agency, farming projects etc. I am unsure whether flood defence projects are affected by the cuts but I believe that flood defense budgets are secure.

Ministers are to be presented with a package for £130 million of immediate cuts to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ budget with radical options for another £140 million in cuts (or savings). This would affect all DEFRA-funded bodies, including British Waterways and the Environment Agency and would be in addition to 5% year-on-year cuts already reported in the wake of Avian flu and the mismanagement of the single farm paymnets (agricultural/ ecological subsidies) scheme.

Links to news pieces:
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=76012&in_page_id=34&in_a_source=
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7099469.stm

Link to Inland Waterways Association campaign against funding cuts:
http://www.waterways.org.uk/News/DefraFundingCuts
You can urge your MP to take action on this issue, sign the petition against cuts and the one against waterway privatisation and find out how the cuts will affect waterways and users.

Please use the comments section to add information and share your views.

Influence government policy by responding to consultations

2007-11-26T11:09:00.000Z

In a previous bulletin I listed all the environment-related national consultations I could find. This was to give you an idea of the range of opportunities to directly influence government policy. To search for consultation opportunities yourself see:

Department for Communities and Local Government (formerly ODPM)
Planning, building and environment, communities, regions and cities and other miscellaneous consultations
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1017165

Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formerly DTI)
Energy; renewables, nuclear power, regulation
http://www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/index.html

Department for Food Environment and Rural Affairs (formerly MAFF)
Climate change, environmental protection, food and farming, natural environment, rural issues http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/default.asp

Department for Transport
http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations

If you spot a particularly relevant consultation please flag this up with me and add to the comments section.

DEFRA's Third Sector Strategy

2007-11-26T10:37:00.000Z

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs want to imporve the way they work with thrid sector (voluntary, community and fiath sector) organisations. They are consulting to inform the preparation of their Thrird Sector Strategy. It asks about ways in which the third sector can make an even bigger difference in tackling climate change, protecting the environment and supporting strong rural communities. It also asks about the way in which Defra can create a level playing field for third sector organisations in the way they do business, for example in their procurement procedures and the way they work with third sector stakeholders through the Defra Compact Group and Social Enterprise Forum. It sets out Defra's current thinking on these issues and asks for your views.

Defra are also inviting proposals from third sector stakeholders to prepare a small number of ‘think piece’ documents which focus on the key consultation questions or themes. These would discuss the issues in more depth and offer practical options and recommendations for Defra to inform the preparation of our Strategy. The preparation of each ‘think piece’ document could also include a targeted workshop or meeting which would enable the participation of a wider group of key stakeholders. Third sector stakeholders who would like to put forward a proposal to prepare a 'think piece' document should contact Defra as soon as possible to discuss the ideas at an early stage. The documents and any events must be completed and submitted by the deadline for consultation. If you would like to discuss ideas for a 'think piece' document contact Jon at Leeds Voice.

For an introductory letter, list of consultees and the consultation document (with contact details for submitting comments) see:
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/thirdsector-strategy/index.htm

The Sustainable Community Action Wiki has a section for you to read others thoughts on the consultation and share your own views. See: http://sca21.wikia.com/wiki/Defra_Third_Sector_Strategy_-_consultation_responses

The deadline for comments is 22nd February 2008.

Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document (part of the LDF)

2007-11-26T10:30:00.000Z

As part of the Local Development Framework a Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document is being prepared which aims to “highlight how Leeds’ natural resources will be managed for the good of the economy while minimising the impacts on the environment and reducing wastage. Specifically the plan is intended to contain detailed policies on the management of a number of issues that might include the following:

- Household and commercial waste.
- Mineral resources.
- Water resources and flooding issues
- Energy and climate change
- Air quality
- Contaminated land”

I have received a letter to raise awareness of the work being undertaken and provide us with an opportunity to be involved in early discussions surrounding the key issues of this plan. We are asked what our thoughts are on the following key areas:

- What are the major issues associated with waste management and how can the forthcoming challenging landfill [reduction] targets be met?

- How can we best use our mineral resources?

- What issues associated with climate change and flooding would you like to see considered within the plan?

- What are the main issues we should be taking on board when considering the regeneration of contaminated land?

- Are their any other issues you would like to be included in a Natural Resources Development Plan Document?

Your comments will be helpful to inform preparation of an ‘issues and alternative options’ paper. All comments need to be presented in a written format. Contact details are for enquiries and submitting comments:

Andrew Walters

Jacobs UK Ltd

1 City Walk

Leeds

LS11 9DX

andrew.walters@jacobs.com

t: 0795 613 4516

f: 0113 389 1389

Please use the comments section of this blog to post comments that might help others to formulate their responses.

Regional Sustainable Development Advisory Group

2007-11-20T12:27:00.000Z

I attended this event. It covered the following themes:

- Showcasing Kirklees as the exemplar Local Authority which is leading on Sustainable Development in Yorkshire and the Humber.
- Sustainable consumption and production in the region. Findings of REEIO and REAP models for regional production and consumption using RAMEA data.
- Regional Biodiversity Strategy. Regional and national biodiversity strategy/policy context. Preparing the Regional Biodiversity Strategy (RBS). (including workshop activities that will help develop the RBS). I have posted the workshop write up under 'Regional Biodiversity Strategy' in this blog.
- Sustainable construction skills and their utility (essential) in enabling sustainable development.
- Flood risk management.

If you would like to view the presentation slides and get links to the organisations leading work in the region on these themes please see: http://www.yhassembly.gov.uk/Our%20Work/Sustainable%20Development/Sustainable%20Development%20Board%20Advisory%20Group/

Securing volunteers for your project

2007-11-20T11:45:00.001Z

If you want to secure volunteers for your project see:

Voluntary Action Leeds: http://www.val.org.uk/

BTCV: http://www2.btcv.org.uk/display/btcv_leeds

Groundwork: http://www.groundwork-leeds.org.uk/

Community Action at Leeds Met: http://www.lmusu.org.uk/DisplayPage.aspx?GroupId=37564&id=6441

Leeds University Volunteers (Action?):
Email: i.swift@leeds.ac.uk Phone: 0113 380 1326 http://www.luuonline.com/volunteering/index.php#lookingforvolunteers

Department for Work and Pensions
Contact Caroline McDermott on 0113 307 8176 or email
caroline.a.mcdermott@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk.

Also, contact jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk to see if I can suggest any other possiblities.

Funding

2007-11-19T13:24:00.010Z

Get Commissioned!
You deliver services and you deliver them well. Opportunities exist to bid on Leeds City Council tenders for delivering projects and services on behalf of the Council. If you spot a tender of interest but cannot deliver alone then I will do my best to find partner organisations. If you think you are delivering (or want to deliver) services that meet local needs then you can take a proposal to the appropriate commissioners. A partnership appraoch is favourable if you are seeking to create your own commissioning opportunity.
To view tenders navigate through to the Leeds City Council bulletin board via: http://scms.alito.co.uk/
A guide for groups seeking to participate in Commissioning opportunites is availible at www.leeds.fit4funding.org.uk

Fresource
This new online database covers many areas to do with fundraising; including research tools, resources and websites to help you find information on individuals, companies, trusts, statutory and lottery funding: www.fresource.info/research-room/fresource-db

Abbey Charitable Trust (mainly small grants)
A key priority for this funding round is community regeneration. If your project can bring different sectors of the community together to make environmental improvements to an area then apply soon. No deadline (the sooner the better) http://www.abbeynational.com/csgs/Satellite?c=GSInformacion&cid=1157700344218&pagename=AboutAbbey%2FGSInformacion%2FPAAI_generic

Access to Nature Fund (Available early 2008)
Grants between £50 000 and £500 000 from the Big Lottery Fund. Types of project funded are those involved in community awareness and active participation, education, learning and volunteering and welcoming, well-managed and wildlife-rich places. For further information visit http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/leisure/grants-funding/default.htm

Active Living Fund
Grants of up to £1000 are available through the Kellogs Active Living Fund for projects that remove the "barriers" which stop people being active. For further information visit www.kelloggs.co.uk/company/corporateresponsibility/activelivingfund/

Big Green Challenge
A big prize and several potential smaller prizes for projects that deliver a reduction in C02 emissions. DEADLINE: 3rd March 08.
http://www.biggreenchallenge.org.uk/

Biffaward
Biffaward offer a wide range of funds from small to medium grants for community and biodiversity (wildlife) projects.
http://www.biffaward.org/

Breathing Places
Phase three of the Big Lottery Fund Breathing Places small grants programme will make grants of £1,000 to £10,000 to projects that support community involvement in transforming the local environment and for projects that create and care for wildlife friendly green spaces.

Big Lottery Fund will be running a short seminar about the programme and how to apply to it at 2pm, on 4 December, at Wheeler Hall in Leeds. The seminar will include an introduction to the programme and information from our partner the BBC. If you are interested in finding out more about the seminar or would like to attend, please e-mail stacey.powell@biglotteryfund.org.uk or call our office of 0113 2245300.

If you are interested in the Breathing Places programme but do not want to attend the seminar, further details about it and how to apply are on www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Community Assets Programme
The Big Lottery Fund is delivering the Community Assets programme on behalf of the Office of the Third Sector. There will be a single round of bidding from the 4th September to 15th November 2007. The programme aims to empower communities by offering grants for the refurbishment of local authority buildings in England, to enable the transfer of public buildings to the third sector. The programme is open to joint applications from local authorities and third sector partnerships.
For further information:
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_community_assets.htm

The Community Sustainable Energy Programme
Funded through the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces Programme, CSEP provides grants towards the cost of microgeneration (eg solar, wind and heat pump) technologies. Energy efficiency measures, such as loft and cavity wall insulation, can also be funded in combination with these. Schools, village halls, visitor centres and other community-based organisations in England can benefit from this programme. For more information visit www.communitysustainable.org.uk or tel: 0845 3 671671.

Community Spaces
Groundwork are running the 'community spaces' programme as part of the Big Lottery fund. The scheme will help groups create or improve green and open spaces to improve the quality of life in their neighbourhoods.
http://www.community-spaces.org.uk/

Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust Networks Initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions by encouraging networks to promote energy efficiency among their members. Proposals are encouraged from a wide variety of project types, providing they meet the eligibility criteria and reduce carbon emissions. Two levels of funding are available as follows: Up to £30,000 - typically for small or introductory projects. At this level, no investment is needed from the applicant. Up to £140,000 - for larger or ongoing programmes of work. At this level, the organisation must invest at least £60,000 in the project itself, regardless of the level of funding applied for. The Initiative cannot support projects that include lobbying activities or that focus on research. .
http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/

Carbon Neutral Fund- The Permaculture Association (Britain)
The grant must be used to contribute to reducing carbon emissions / atmospheric carbon, but how this will be achieved is left open. Projects which show how permaculture design thinking has been used will be favoured. Only group members of the Permaculture Association can apply, and projects must be within the UK. This round of the grant scheme has a total of £800 available. We welcome applications for any amount between £100 and £800. The number of grants given will depend on the number and quality of applications.Applications must be received by Friday 7th March 2008.
http://www.permaculture.org.uk/

Green Leeds Limited
Distributes funding rasied from landfill tax credits. Normal conditions for landfill tax credit funding apply. Projects must be related to: reclamation/remediation/restoration of land, degraded due to uses it has previously been put to, to improve it's usability; pollution prevetion, reduction and mitigation; environmental imporvement of public amenities (parks etc); biodiversity projects; environmental protection, restoration, maintainance and repair of places of religious worship or of historical or architechtural interest- must be open to the public.
For further information and/or an application form and guidance notes, please contact Sue Lumby on 0113 247 8185 at Green Leeds Ltd, Resources Team, Neighbourhoods and Housing Dept, 6th Floor, Merrion House, 110 Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8BB.

Unltd/ Guardian
UnLtd and the Guardian have launched the Guardian/UnLtd Green Living Awards; this time they're looking to focus on helping people to think creatively about solving environmental issues and will be offering awards totalling around £100,000 to individuals who want to run innovative environmental projects in their local communities or on a larger scale. The seven themes for the awards (these are for guidance only) are:
Improving urban green spaces
Recycling
Green Transport
Local food initiatives
Campaigning
Alternative energy
'Light bulb' category - for exceptional ideas that don't fit into the above.

These awards will be processed as part of our normal Level 1 Awards. There will also be one award of up to £20,000 for a (Level 2) individual whose project is already up and running and can be expanded.
For more information on the programme see http://www.unltd.org.uk/guardian
or: www.guardian.co.uk/environment/greenlivingawards

Esmee Fairburn
Being more flexible and are open to ideas. Environment and biodiversity remains a prioirty.
www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk/funding/index.html

Google Grants
Google Grants offers free advertising, through AdWords, to UK charities involved in science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts. See www.google.co.uk/grants/

SITA Trust.
Support community improvement projects around landfill sites owned by the waste management company SITA UK and nature projects around any landfill site in England.
For further information visit http://www.sitatrust.org.uk/apply

Healthy Heart Grants
Grants of up to £10 000 are available to community groups, voluntary organisations and researchers who are spreading the healthy heart message. Heart research UK Healthy Heart Grants support innovative projects designed to promote heart helth and to prevent or reduce the risks of heart disease in specific groups or communities. For further information visit http://www.heartresearch.org.uk/healthy_heart_grants.htm

Leeds Primary Care Trust Healthy Living Grants.
The Healthy Living Grants are to help new groups, or assist established groups to develop activities which promote health for individuals, groups or communities. Examples of environment/health cross cutting themes include healthy eating and outdoor activity. For details of Healthy Living Grants Please contact: sajeela.mukhtar@leeds.gov.uk

Local Food Programme (Available February 2008)
Grants from the Big Lottery Fund from £2,000 up to £500,000 will be awarded to projects such as growing, processing, marketing and distributing local food; composting and raising awareness of the benefits of such activities. For further information visit http://www.rswt.org/localfood/

One Living Planet Awards
B&Q are offering awards of between £1,000 and £10,000 in B&Q products to organisations involved in the environment, cultural / heritage projects, or energy saving activities. See www.diy.com/awards

Waterways Trust
Each year The Waterways Trust offers a limited number of small grants for wildlife, environmental, access and educational projects connected to the waterways http://www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk/grants/index.shtml

West Yorkshire Grants
West Yorkshire Grants provides financial support to VCS organizations making a strategic impact on the social or cultural infrastructure in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield. Grants are available from a minimum of £5,000 for activities on a range of project types including environmental conservation. More info at: http://www.wyg.wyjs.org.uk/index.asp?pg=indexhome.htm

WRAP Organics Capital Grant Programme
The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has launched the Organics Capital Grant Programme to realise a significant increase in the available processing capacity for source-segregated food waste which would otherwise be disposed of to landfill. WRAP is seeking to provide financial assistance of up to 30% towards the capital costs of plant, equipment and infrastructure for food waste processing capacity compliant with the Animal By-Product Regulations (ABPR) in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. To be considered for WRAP funding support, projects must meet all of the following requirements: Be a capital investment (operating costs are not eligible) to create new or expand existing food waste processing capacity, compliant with the ABPR, diverting food waste from landfill into recycled products. Be located in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Be installed and fully operational by 31 December 2010. Use commercially proven technology. Use source-segregated food waste from the municipal, commercial and/or industrial waste streams (that would otherwise go to landfill). Preference will be given to facilities co-processing food waste-rich feedstock from municipal and commercial/industrial sources. Be able to demonstrate that the project viability is dependent on WRAP support. Be commercially sustainable in the medium and long term. Demonstrate clearly defined end markets for the output(s) of the project. Projects will not be eligible for funding if: the proposed facility is treating waste from a single commercial or industrial company; or the proposed facility is processing the organic residual fraction from mixed municipal waste. There are separate application forms for England and Northern Ireland, and Scotland. (Support for facilities in Wales is run under a separate programme.)

The deadline for applications is 30 June 2008 (1.30 pm).

Workshops offering further information about the aims of the programme and guidance for completing an application will be held on:
28 April 2008 - Leeds.

This is the first in a series of rounds under the Organics Capital Grant Programme (subject to the continued requirement for funding).

http://www.wrap.org.uk/wrap_corporate/funding/

Small Grants to Voluntary Organisations
The Council’s booklet “Small Grants to Voluntary Organisations” is available online at www.leeds.gov.uk— search for ‘small grants’, then click on ‘Small Grants to Voluntary Organisations’ and then click on ‘small grants booklet’ in the right hand column.

Leeds Voice Environment Forum: Leeds Local Development Framework- Core Strategy

2007-11-19T09:56:00.000Z

Leeds Voice Environment Forum: Leeds Local Development Framework- Core Strategy

Leeds Local Development Framework- Core Strategy

2007-11-14T13:51:00.000Z

The Leeds Local Development Framework (LDF) Core Strategy is currently out for public consultation. The LDF is a collection of planning policy documents, the core strategy is the principle document that must be taken into account when deciding planning applications and planning where new things will be built. The Core Strategy will help shape the future appearance, liveability and environmental performance of the City. It is the principle document in the Local Development Framework (LDF) and is aligned to the Regional Spatial Strategy (Integrated Regional Framework), national planning policy and the Vision for Leeds. The old planning system (the Unitary Development Plan) stipulated what can be built and where, the LDF is an advancement of this aiming to deliver social, economic and environmental objectives through spatial (land use) planning.

The Core Strategy has 4 key aims:

Protect, enhance and manage the environment.

Promote economic success, with a high quality of life.

Narrow the gap between disadvantaged communities and the rest of Leeds.

Promote and develop Leeds’ role within Leeds City Region as a competitive European city.

There are 5 key objectives:

Environment

Economy

Regeneration and renewal

Future developments

Well-connected city

There are 4 future scenarios which will help guide how Leeds’ built environment changes over the next 20 years- respondents are asked which option they would prefer ranging from ‘maintaining existing policy approaches’ (business as usual) to creating ‘new urban neighbourhoods’.

Other themes and subthemes include: greenspace, health, cultural facilities, gypsy and traveller sites, flood risk, affordable housing, crime, transport, community safety, waste management, identifying town and local centres etc.

It takes about 1 hour to read the consultation document and answer the questions. The most important thing to note is that you can say what is missing without having to be asked with a consultation question.

See: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/page.aspx?pageID=1d747321-11cb-4008-869c-8f7e77d9daea files are down the right hand side of the screen, you will need to look at the ‘Issues and Alternative Options’ document if interested.

The consultation is open until 4^th December. This document is important to anyone wanting Leeds to develop in a way that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.

Please use the comments button to give your views on the contents of the Core Strategy so that you can inform and inspire others who may respond to the consultation. This blog is not part of the consultation process it is to inform you of the consultation and to provide a place for discussion and information sharing.

http://www.goyh.gov.uk/goyh/plan/regplan/propchanges/

The deadline for responses is 21st December 2007

Welcome to the blog!

2007-11-14T13:27:00.000Z

Welcome to the new Environment Forum blog. I hope this blog will provide the following things:
- Information about strategic developments in Leeds.
- A place to give your views and debate the content of strategies.
- A place where the forum representatives on the Climate Change Strategy Group and Aire Action Leeds can come to glean your views and take them forward to strategic meetings.
- A place for forum members to share information.
- A place to network and find out what is happening strategically and at a community level.

Please send me information which you would like to see posted on the blog.