North Wales Regional Committee (July 2003 - March 2005)

NWR(2)-03 (r 3)

Third report: Review of the National Assembly's Sustainable Development Scheme

Introduction1.1 The North Wales Regional Committee is one of the Assembly’s four regional committees. It covers Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham and the area of Gwynedd made up of the former districts of Arfon and Dwyfor.1.2 The role of the regional committees, as defined by Standing Order 10.2, is to advise the National Assembly on matters affecting their regions, the effect of Assembly policies in those regions and the work of public bodies there.1.3 At its meeting on 27 November 2003 the Committee sought the views of the North Wales public on Starting to Live Differently, the Review of the National Assembly's Sustainable Development Scheme. The points raised are summarised in this report.Review of the Sustainable Development Scheme1.4 The National Assembly has a duty under the Government of Wales Act 1998 to promote sustainable development and to prepare a Scheme setting out how it will fulfil this duty. The Assembly published its Sustainable Development Scheme Learning to Live Differently in November 2000, and is now consulting on how that scheme should be revised and developed.1.5 The Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside, Carwyn Jones AM, who leads on sustainable development on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government, attended the meeting to introduce the review of the Scheme and take questions from the audience.1.6 The Minister said that the world saw Wales as leading the way with sustainable development, and that the focus was now on turning the concept into practical action. This would be done through mainstreaming sustainable development in the Assembly’s work, and encouraging others to do the same.Views of the North Wales public1.7 Specific points raised by members of the public were as follows:

• Geraint George, Bangor University, emphasised the need to implement sustainable development, e.g. by procuring local produce for school meals, as was done in some other European countries. Mr Owen, Flintshire Friends of the Earth, added that fair trade was being compromised by European procurement rules. The Minister said that the WDA were assisting local businesses to gain contracts with local authorities, e.g. by forming co-operatives;
• Eifion Lloyd Jones asked to what extent the Welsh language and culture were considered as part of sustainable development. The Minister recognised that the sustainability of the language was linked to the sustainability of communities, and was eagerly awaiting the forthcoming report of the Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee on affordable housing and sustainable communities;
• Owen Prosser suggested rail as a more sustainable method of transportation. The Minister said that he would pass on Mr Prosser’s suggestions to Andrew Davies AM, the Minister for Economic Development and Transport at the Assembly;
• Arnold Pennant felt that the difficulties of the rural economy should be addressed as part of the Sustainable Development Scheme. The Minister said that support for farming was contained in Farming for the Future, and that current reviews to the Common Agricultural Policy would support a move to more sustainable methods of production;
• Cllr Armstrong-Braun questioned the Brundtland defnition of sustainable development, which had been adopted by the Assembly, and felt it important to measure the impact of our economic development on the ecosystem. The Minister agreed that there was a need for a greater focus on sustainable economic development;
• Cllr Bob Barton, Llanarmon-yn-Ial Community Council, felt that local communities needed financial support to put sustainable development into practice. The Minister pointed to £22 million of funding made available to local authorities in Wales to meet targets for sustainable waste management;
• Neil Crumpton, Sustainable Development Forum Member, asked whether the Assembly needed additional powers to make sustainable development a reality. The Minister said that the Assembly had sufficient powers in most areas, but could benefit from the ability to develop a more holistic policy in those areas where not all powers were devolved, e.g. energy;
• Steve Saunders, West Coast Energy, applauded the focus in the Scheme on the challenge of climate change, but felt that stronger targets and clearer indicators were needed, e.g. for renewable energy. The Minister said that the Scheme was not the vehicle for targets, but that many of these issues were being addressed in the review of planning Technical Advice Note 8 (Renewable Energy);
• David Williams, Llandudno district Credit Union, raised the difficulties associated with obtaining planning permission for local sustainable development projects. The Minister said that, unless called-in, planning applications were a matter for local authorities to determine, in accordance with national planning policy.

Sustainable development in practice1.8 The Committee heard from three North Wales organisations offering a practical example at a local level of the three cornerstones of sustainable development - social, economic and environmental. Copies of their presentations are reproduced in Annexes 1-3.

• Antur Waun Fawr - a ground-breaking company that offers training and employment opportunities to people with learning difficulties, but also as a venture which is recognised as a key player in the regeneration of the local community, according to the principles of Agenda 21 (see Annex 1);
• Shotton Paper plc - Europe’s largest newspaper and magazine recycling company, which has received a grant of £23 million to transform its production to 100% recycled paper (see Annex 2);
• Ail Wynt - a unique wind farm developed by, and in the ownership of, a co-operative of local farmers in North Wales. The company won the 'Ashden Award’ for sustainable energy in June 2003. They are now expanding the project - entitled 'Ail Wynt’ ('Second Wind’) (see Annex 3).

1.9 Members of the public made the following comments:

• William Richards, Conwy Council, stressed the need to consider the sustainability of industries, and pointed to the effects of Shotton Paper’s move to 100% recycled paper production on the forestry industry in Wales. John Sanderson of Shotton Paper acknowledged the need to develop alternative uses for timber;
• Elwyn Jones asked if Shotton Paper had considered using the rail system for delivery of its raw materials. John Sanderson said this was being considered but there were problems with access to the site at present;
• George Johnson asked why old telephone directories could not be recycled. John Sanderson explained that there were difficulties removing the ink on directories, unlike newspapers, where it remained wet. John Foster pointed to the chemically aggressive nature of the ink removal process, but John Sanderson explained that the solution was neutral when completed;
• Lynne Ashton, Conwy CAB, asked if the recycling activities of community companies such as Antur Waun Fawr were in danger of being taken over by larger companies, thus limiting the opportunities for those with learning disabilities to be involved. Huw Davies, Antur Waun Fawr, hoped that local authorities and the Assembly would value the involvement of local communities in such projects;
• Catrin Elis-Jones, representing a community group, raised the difficulties experienced by community groups in trying to purchase land;
• A member of the audience asked whether wind turbines were noisy, Geraint Davies of Ail Wynt confirmed that noise levels were well below statutory limits;
• Martin Mills, Environment Agency Wales, explained how the Agency was contributing to the Sustainable Development Scheme through the exercise of its functions. He wanted the supporting Action Plan to have substantial status within the revised Scheme, and for unsustainable practices in Wales to be highlighted;
• Alys Jones, a local farmer, stressed the difficulties faced by the agricultural industry in Wales and challenged the Minister’s image of farming. She pointed to the changes in eating habits, now that home economics skills were in decline.

Written comments1.10 Written comments were submitted at or following the meeting, and are reproduced in the Annexes. The main points raised were as follows:

• Peter Caldwell FRICS said that excellent examples of sustainable development in Wales were provided by the presenters, but in general there was still more talk than action. The Welsh Assembly Government needed to take the lead;
• Mike Bird suggested that when considering alternative energy sources as potential contributors towards sustainable development all external factors should be considered;
• Dr Anna Antonelli, Llanrwst, was impressed with the quality of the presentations and the debate, and queried how innovative businesses get started. She also called for a debate on developments in energy and waste;
• Mrs L.V. Danson M.B.E., was concerned at the cost of waste collection, and reiterated Mrs Jones’ point, that a reduction in home economics skills was resulting in increased waste in the form of food packaging.

Next steps1.11 This report forms a contribution to the review of the National Assembly’s Sustainable Development Scheme. A copy will be submitted to the Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside.Janet Ryder AM
Committee ChairA copy of this report is available on the National Assembly website www.wales.gov.uk If you would like a hard copy, please email NWales.regcomm@wales.gsi.gov.uk or contact Silvia Ricondo on 029 2089 8018.AnnexesPresentations Antur Waun Fawr (Annex 1)Shotton Paper plc (Annex 2)Ail Wynt (Annex 3)Written comments (hard copies only)Peter Caldwell FRICS (Annex 4)Mike Bird (Annex 5)Dr Anna Antonelli (Annex 6)Mrs L.V. Danson MBE (Annex 7)