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Workshops
summary
The aim of the workshops was to tease out what needed to be
done to facilitate local action. The tight timetable of the morning only allowed
two headlines from each workshop to be reported back at the plenary session and
there was not an opportunity to hear in depth what each workshop had discussed.
However, all the issues raised in the workshop were recorded and are set out in
detail later in this report, and the headline issues should be read in the
context of the full workshop reports.
In addition, delegates were provided with feedback "Green
Sheets" so that they could record particular points which occurred to them
throughout the morning. These have also been captured – Go to
Green sheets.
The outcomes of the workshops will feed into the development
of a rural strategy by BRAF. As the workshops were also directly relevant to
live initiatives in Bedfordshire, the outcomes and will inform the ongoing
development of these initiatives: Workshop A will inform the work of the new
Bedfordshire Climate Change Forum; Workshop B will inform development of the
Tastes of Bedfordshire and Food Mark projects; Workshop C will inform continued
work to develop parish and GI plans, and feed them into planning processes;
Workshop D informs the current consultation by Bedfordshire county council on a
review of bus services; Workshop E will inform the new tourism strategy for
Bedfordshire and Luton, and also the Hidden Britain Centres initiative; Workshop
F will inform the response to new opportunities for funding for capital assets
for social enterprises; Workshop G will inform responses to the revision of the
Regional Economic Strategy.
HEADLINES FROM WORKSHOPS
A. Greening the Grass Roots - How can rural communities
reduce their carbon footprint, and what support do they need to turn ideas into
action?
Need for community champions.
Need for a "Carbon Officer" as focal point within
the local authority.
B. Local Foods - How can buying locally produced foods help
the environment as well as the local economy, farmers and the countryside?
With the
end of the contract with Scolarest, there is a new opportunity for
local food to be used in Bedfordshire schools.
Need to
promote understanding of food in schools.
C. Empowering communities - How can community environmental
needs be identified and influence planning and Community Plans?
More resources are needed for community
consultation and delivery.
Communities feel disempowered.
D. Transport - Rethinking bus services in rural areas – what
are the options?
Bus routes need to be considered in light of
today’s needs, not historic usage patterns.
There is a lack of awareness and information about bus
services (public and community services)
E. Enterprising communities - Is there a role for ecotourism
in helping to sustain communities?
Communication and education are key, especially
disabled access.
NIRAH seen as key opportunity.
F. Under One Roof - Is there scope to develop multi-use
buildings in Bedfordshire and limit the need to travel to services?
Need good communication and representation/
feeding into Local Area Agreements and Local Strategic Partnerships.
Practical barriers in older buildings.
G. Business opportunities - Can climate change equal profit
or loss?
Scope for new products and markets.
Need to change mindsets.
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