Welcome back to Engage from Delib. Our topic this month is sustainability, as we wanted to share some great case studies with you on how our customers are approaching green policymaking – both in the built and natural environments.
Stick around until the end to learn about upcoming events for government and community groups, and a recap of the big news conversations in local democracy.
Customer insights and inspiration:
Liverpool Launches Consultation on Mersey Tidal Power Project
The famous River Mersey could soon be home to the world’s largest tidal barrier — and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is inviting public feedback during its Autumn consultation. Between October 1st and November 15th, residents can participate by completing a Citizen Space survey or attending one of 10 public events.
This project is massive, with a potential to generate green energy for hundreds of thousands of homes, as well as connect the city to the Wirral peninsula with its first footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists. It’s no surprise that this will come with complications, both for local people and marine wildlife. The consultation asks residents what they think of the plans, with four choices for where it could connect to the National Grid. So, if you live in the area, it’s time to have your say!
Wales Proposes New National Park
Natural Resources Wales is making the case for the first new Welsh National Park since 1957. The public consultation is now in its second stage and is specifically asking people what they think of the proposed boundaries across the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley.
This is an important question to ask, because the National Park designation goes further than simply changing the road signs. It could drive a whole lot of tourism to the area, which is great for some, but could also lead to environmental degradation and heavier use of public services. The devolved body wants to get the balance right, and are seeking targeted feedback from a diverse range of communities. Their online consultation is running alongside 10 public drop-in events, plus specific meetings for groups like farmers and heritage bodies.
Stockport Considers How to Encourage Active Travel to School
The school drop-off is hectic at the best of times, made worse by the fact that walking or cycling is not always a safe option for children and their families. Nationally, 40% of school journeys are made by car, but this number is often higher in suburban and rural communities. This causes problems like inconsiderate parking and air pollution, making it a common source of public complaint.
Stockport Borough Council is addressing the problem with several online consultation pages for schools, parents, and residents to participate in. This page is a good example — you can see how people are presented with different options like footpath widenings, pencil bollards, new waiting restrictions and better road signage. What’s nice is their use of interactive geospatial maps, which make the proposals much easier to understand at a glance. Take a look for yourself!
Somerset Council Looks to Revitalise the Health of its Green/Blue Habitats
Taunton was the first community in the South-West of England to be awarded Garden Town status by the government back in 2017. Now, Somerset Council hopes to improve local biodiversity and recreation opportunities through the launch of its Waterways Strategy consultation. Proposals include new corridors for people and wildlife to traverse, as well as a natural flood management plan for the River Tome.
The council is also interested in how they could protect and promote the character of the built environment. Residents are asked for their opinions on how riverside development should look alongside the Taunton and Bridgwater Canal, such that new-builds don’t look out of place and historic views are protected. This is a particular point of pride for the community, and the online consultation coincides with the Taunton Together festival to maximise the reach of its engagement.
Birmingham Releases Green Regeneration Masterplan for Druids Heath
Birmingham City Council is pushing forward with a regeneration plan for Druids Heath, one of the city’s most deprived housing estates. The plans include demolishing six 1960s-era tower blocks and replacing them with 3,000 energy-efficient homes, along with the creation of a new village green and community amenities.
This type of urban regeneration has been sorely missed for decades, but that doesn’t mean the upheaval will be easy on local people. The council’s final consultation wants to make sure everyone’s thoughts are heard before the seven-year masterplan is approved in 2025. And, by running this engagement online, it’s allowed every resident to have their say on the big decisions.
Industry and legislative news:
New Funding Plan for Local Government to be Announced by the Chancellor
As we approach the release of the Autumn Budget at the end of October, speculation has swirled around how government intends to fund local public services. This issue is particularly troublesome, highlighted by the fact that one in five councils are on the brink of bankruptcy, and the Local Government Association’s report that councils face a £6.2 billion funding gap over the next two years.
To alleviate the crisis, Labour is expected to follow through on their manifesto promise that they’ll offer multi-year funding settlements to local authorities. It’s hoped that this will reduce the need for “wasteful competitive bidding”, and free up £745 million per year that’s being spent on private consultants’ fees.
Some observers have also noted that Labour may give local authorities the power to further raise council taxes. While this move would give some breathing space in the delivery of core public services, it’s regarded as something of a sticking plaster in the face of spiralling costs. Council tax revenue is already significantly different in parts of the country, and council bosses have expressed concern that long-term funding settlements for social care are needed.
London Mayor Announces Plan to Pedestrianise Oxford Street
Oxford Street is the heart of London’s retail sector, and now, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a bold new plan to revitalise its business footfall. He wants to see the 0.7-mile section between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch made into a car, bicycle, and bus-free zone, with new spaces for trees and artwork.
It’s been years in the making, with thousands of consultation responses collected from local businesses and citizens — the majority of which favoured pedestrianisation as an answer to declining trade. However, this consultation (known as the Oxford Street Programme) had a a smaller policy scope related primarily to footpath widening.
Some have accused the London Mayor of forcing through his vision at the last hour. And, given that the £150m funding has already been found, it casts a spotlight onto whether a fresh round of consultations will take place. If the local community presents an alternative, the government will be required to consider their views. While we don’t expect a sudden stand-off to commence, it’s certainly an interesting case study into how planning decisions are made by government.
