SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Chris Cousins Head of Sustainable Development

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Chris Cousins Head of Sustainable Development Service

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT “Development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. ” • Implies both social inclusion now and equity between generations • Means environmental considerations at the heart of policy making and practice • Means a more rounded view of economic success

Changing Patterns: UK Government Framework for Sustainable Consumption and Production Joint DTI and DEFRA report. September 2003 Key points • Importance of environmentally sustainable economic growth • Government is developing a range of economic incentives to “decouple” economic growth from environmental degradation

Regional Spatial Strategy Some key issues: • sustainable economic development – economic prosperity without overheating; • sustainable use of resources – eg minerals, waste, water, energy; • managing movement: emphasis on accessibility rather than mobility;

• providing adequate and affordable housing; • conserving and improving environmental resources; • ensuring adequate infrastructure in place.

Oxfordshire Structure Plan • Many key issues similar to those for regional spatial strategy. • Specific local issues: – Green belt – New mineral working area – Need for infrastructure investment before development takes place

Planning & Compulsory Purchase Bill • Two elements to the new development plan system: – Regional Spatial Strategy – approved by Secretary of State on recommendation of planning body based in Guildford; – Local development document prepared by district council on the binding recommendation of a planning inspector.

• Thus the detailed development plan for any one area will be in the hands of two individuals. To what extent does sustainable development imply the democratic ownership and involvement of locally elected representatives?

The Future – community leadership and partnerships • Close links between community strategy and spatial planning • Transport planning • Minerals and waste • Service delivery • Leadership – the county council as exemplar (Audit Commission review of sustainable development)

Transport Planning Peter Mann Acting Chief Transport Planner Group Manager (Transport Planning)

TRANSPORT • … is a consequence of dispersed land uses • … costs (time, money, environmental damage) • … investment is expensive • … can promote competition, innovation and social inclusion • … needs to be sustainable if it is to contribute to sustainable economic development

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT • … is integrated • … promotes choice through accessibility • … is cost-effective • … is well-planned • … is the only option

WHAT WE ARE DOING • Integrated transport strategies • Premium bus routes • Expressway Oxford • Travel plan development • East-West rail

BIG ISSUES • Traffic growth predicted to continue • Regional/Sub-regional pressures • A 34 corridor • Making an effective business case • Delivery – OCC, Highways Agency, Strategic Rail Authority

THE FUTURE • Transport Networks Review • Local Transport Plan 2 (2006 -11) • Expressway Oxford extension • Real-time/intelligent transport information • Rail investment – Oxford station, Greater Western franchise

End of Presentation

Sustainable Economic Development Keith Bartley Director of Learning and Culture

Sustainable Economic Development Introduction Oxfordshire County Council warmly welcomes the Government’s White Paper “ 21 st Century skills – raising our potential”. It is thorough and wide-ranging and it is based on sound research and consultation. It treads a reasonably balanced line between the national demand for productivity and competitiveness on the one hand, and individual fulfilment and community contribution on the other

Sustainable Economic Development Skills for employers/support for employees • The County Council supports the White Paper’s emphasis on improving leadership and management in order to develop competitive businesses and high quality public services. We support the extension of the Investors in People Standard to small and medium-sized enterprises. • We welcome the Government’s recognition of the role of trade unions in encouraging individuals back into learning through help and support in the work place.

Sustainable Economic Development Skills for individuals • The County Council welcomes the Government’s intention to target learners without “first qualifications” as the highest priority for public funding and support • We welcome the intention to establish a new entitlement to free learning for adults without “first qualifications. cont…

Sustainable Economic Development • We are pleased that the strategy contains a commitment to continuing public support for learning undertaken for civic, social and cultural gain and for personal fulfilment. We also support the proposals that preserve the proportion of LSC funds currently spent on these types of learning and the minimum figure set for local LSC spending for this area of work • Throughout the White Paper there is a welcome concern with ensuring equality and promoting social inclusion. What is missing, however, is a recognition that the workplace is a key site for securing equality in learning. The responsibilities of employers and the potential role that they could have in promoting equality and diversity is understated in the strategy.

Sustainable Economic Development Reforming qualifications and training programmes • We note and support the steps which the Government is taking for young people to improve vocational routes and skills and to extend enterprise education between the ages of 14 and 19.

Sustainable Economic Development Partnerships for delivery • The White Paper is disappointing in its coverage of the role that local government might play in the skills strategy. Local government has a critical role in economic development and neighbourhood renewal. It has a knowledge of the particular issues facing individuals’ and employers within local communities, whether urban or rural. • We are already committed to taking this agenda forward on the basis of existing government policy in this area. • We strongly support the notion of building learning communities.