Lancashire County: Environmental Action Programme (LEAP)

Abstract:

The project "Lancashire Environmental Action Programme (LEAP)" takes advantage out of the fact that private and non-governmental organisations, when organised into a structural process, can provide substantial resources to a local authority in researching, developing and implementing a comprehensive environmental action plan. The participatory nature of this projects implies several criteria for inclusion under as "Good practice examples":

• managing public funds according to he capacity of existing supply systems
• continuous environmental improvement
• policy integration and an inter-sectoral approach
• interdisciplinary co-operation between agencies, administration, participation of NGOs and private organisations in the decision-making process and in implementation
• self-commitment of the municipality to the principles of sustainable development
• contributing to the attainment of several environmental, economic and social goals
• apply the principle of appropriate scale
• contribute to conserving natural resources
• contrite to preventing global warming
• contribute to the protection of natural areas
• contribute to minimising waste
• contribute to making energy use sustainable
• contribute to making land-use patterns sustainable.

Description

Lancashire County, situated in the Northwest of the United Kingdom, has a population of 1,3,70,371 and covers an area of 330,070 km2. The county municipality has a budget of US $ 1,4 billion available for annual expenses. Lancashire's Green Audit (1989), its first State of the Environment Report, detailed the environment health of the County. Audit data is held on a Geographic Information System. The Lancashire County Council initiated the Lancashire Environmental Action Programme to address the 150 issues of concern identified by the Audit. This programme utilises a "Local Agenda 21" framework as a management tool for achieving a comprehensive, multi- stakeholder strategy for local environmental management. The goal of the project is to achieve commitment and action by all levels and sectors of the community towards implementing LEAP, and thereby securing the conservation and sustainable use of Lancashire's environmental resources.

Although this programme is still in its early stages, it has been established on a solid foundation for success through the application of the multi-stakeholder planning framework established to implement the Lancashire Green Audit. Local government has taken the lead institutional role in the overall planning, implementation and management of the process. By consulting with and involving the public, private business, industry, farmers and all sectors of the diverse Lancashire community, the local authority has established the Lancashire Environmental Forum consisting of 81 organisations. Through the organisation of Specialist Working groups, the Forum has developed 200 proposals for local environmental action which will be considered in completing an Environmental Action Plan. In essence, the Lancashire County Council has set up the mechanisms for an ongoing participatory planning process that has engaged all levels and all sectors of its community.

A key objective of the LEAP process is to define very practical measures with realistic targets and time schedules for implementation. This will be undertaken both by publicly mandated agencies and by members of the Forum, who are asked to incorporate action measures into their own programmes and policies. The final LEAP will be organised under nine key chapter headings and will constitute a Local Agenda 21 for the County. These headings are:

1. Partnership for Action

2. Global Warming

3. Reviving Towns

4. Cleaner Air

5. Cleaner Water

6. Protecting Land

7. Reducing Waste

8. Conserving Wildlife and Countryside

9. Raising Awareness.

In addition to the participatory nature of LEAP, a very important element influencing LEAP's success to date has been the political and financial backing of the local authority. Difficulty was encountered in arriving at consensus on every proposal brought forward by the specialist Working Groups for inclusion in the Action Programme. However, a mechanism is in place to take these proposals forward and to resolve conflicts. Difficulty was also encountered in obtaining complete representation of local industry on the Lancashire Environmental Forum.

Finance

Financial support has been derived largely from local tax revenue with small amounts supplemented by national government grants. Significant in-kind support, including staffing, research, and data provision, has been contributed by the 81 organisations represented on the Forum. The Lancashire County Council budget for LEAP is approximately US $ 737,500 for a three year period. This budget excludes the cost of the GIS system and staff. Five new staff were hired to form an Environmental Unit in the Lancashire County Council Planning Department. These people are supported by the County Council and by Forum representatives.

Source of Information

ICLEI International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, 1993: Local Initiatives ICLEI Members In Action 1991-1992, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Contact:

Cities:

Lancashire County:

Lancashire County is located in the North-West of England. It has a tradition as a mining and manufacturing region.

Population:

Project was added at 01.06.1995
Project was changed at 22.08.2001

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