Dorset 3rd sector Sustainability and Environment Forum

 

 

Dorset Strategic Partnership

Environmental Theme Group (ETG)

Meeting, County Hall, Dorchester, 28 April 2009

 

In all ETG meetings, although agenda topics necessarily relate to the Dorset environment, discussion perspectives and priorities are driven predominantly by the administrative concerns of DCC and other statutory bodies; and it is difficult, much of the time, to relate them to the needs and perspectives of the third sector.   The present meeting was rather poorly attended, which made discussion easier and more informal; but, even so, it is hard to avoid the feeling that most of the important things go on outside such meetings.  However, the following items have some relevance to third sector Sustainability & Environment members.

 

1.  The chairman of Transition Towns, Dorchester (Mike Jones, another one) spoke about TT aims and current TT activities in Dorchester and Dorset.  The TT aim is to move individuals, organisations and businesses away from an economy based on cheap oil and help them adjust to the future ‘low-oil’ economy.  Dorchester TT involves individuals in such activities as a food group and car club (and many others) and urges organisations and businesses to:

            - source locally

            - reduce energy vulnerability

            - invest in technology with long-term benefits (to organisation and local environment)

            - support localisation and local employment

            - keep money in the community.

Plans for TT status are underway for Bridport, Weymouth & Portland, Purbeck, Sherborne, Bournemouth & Poole, Sturminster Newton, Christchurch & Shaftesbury, with Lyme Regis and Gillingham additional possibilities.  With the assistance of DA21, training days are being organised to assist these start-ups.

 

2.  Dorset Local Area Agreement (LAA).  Requests have been submitted from DWT and from DCC Waste Policy and Sustainability Managers for funding for projects (within ETG Action Plan) in respect of LAA Stage 2 objectives.  These requests are, to a degree, competitive with others from other DSP theme groups; and decisions have not yet made. (DSP Board and DCC Cabinet to see and discuss within next two weeks.)

 

3.  ETG Action Plan.  An updated version of this plan (nearly 8 A2 spreadsheet pages) was presented by Peter Moore (ETG link officer and Environment Group Manager, DCC).  This plan is dynamic; it evolves gradually as targets are achieved and gaps, linkages and resources are identified.  For the record, the ten Primary Objectives (within each of which one or many actions are detailed) are (with minor abbreviation):

   - Recognition and response to the challenge of global climate change.

   - Protection, conservation and enhancement of Dorset’s natural environment.

   - Restoration of Dorset’s biodiversity.

   - Economic development within environmental limits.

   - Efficient use of natural resources.

   - Prosperous local food and farming industry working within environmental limits.

   - High quality built environment.

   - Quality public access to the Dorset environment.

   - Continuing contribution of volunteers to conservation/appreciation of Dorset environment.

   - Step changes in environment and sustainability performance for 2012.

 

Mike Jones, DA21

4 May 2009