1. Increase GDP per capita where it can be shown to improve the quality of life overall.

There is no acknowledgement that an increasing GDP can undermine quality of life objectives.

Seek to harmonise GDP growth with an improving quality of life for the regional population.

Supplement the headline indicator with secondary GDP indicators such as contrasting rural/urban trend and the contribution of the environment sector. Cross reference with Principle 24.

2. Give high priority to promoting economic growth from within the region.

Ö

Recognises the need to develop growth from within the region. (10 & 51). Sets a high target for growth at 30% faster than the national average (136). Sets context within global marketplace (52).

Provide greater support for indigenous growth from within the region e.g. Business Link. Promote a loyalty concept with consumers in the West Midlands for regional products and home grown food e.g. farmers markets and products.

Number of jobs generated from within the region as a proportion of those generated by inward investment.

3. Reduce disparities between the economic performance of different parts of the region.

-

Sets objectives for training and improving the access to key services and resources (10). Targets regeneration resources at areas of need (126 to 131).

Encourage closer co-operation between the business and community/social sectors to share good practice and to develop integrated development programmes.

Disparities within the region in GDP per capita, unemployment and income levels.

4. Promote the supply of local goods and services and develop markets for local and speciality products.v

Ö

Promotes inter-dependence of urban and rural areas (10) and the development of the food sector (83, 84).

Strengthen understanding of the value of local distinctiveness as a basis for promotion outside the region.

The travel distance of goods from point of production to market place.

5. Promote the production of good-quality long-lasting goods which reduce the need for waste disposal/recycling.

-

Recognises importance of waste reduction and management (53) but does not address the issue at point of manufacture.

Encourage re-utilisation of waste products/redundant goods by other sectors.

Proportion of products being re-used recycled. Good practise examples of products with low ultimate waste disposal requirements.

6. Promote economic development based on the skills of the regional workforce but which also allows for and encourages the development of these skills.

Objective to develop a high skilled work force, a culture of innovation and life long learning (10).

Recognise that skills developed through the work place can be put to use outside of work to benefit local communities. Support local skills development initiatives that are in response to local skills needs.

% of new jobs filled by workers from within the region.

7. Develop Agri-Environment and Rural Development Schemes.

Recognises need to diversify rural economy through eg leisure/tourism, (54, 87) new business start-ups and professional services. States availability of some schemes such as ESA's (49), but nothing directly about the potential of agri-environment and rural development schemes.

Make a direct link across to European Programme work led by MAFF, recognising link to landscape, biodiversity and rural development. Promote development of schemes including increased resources, through CAP reform (54). Promote development of innovative projects such as Severn-Vyrnwy Land Management Initiative (54).

Number and extent of agri-environment and rural development schemes available; jobs created; income generated. Trends in wild bird populations linked to national indicator. Landscape enhancement.

8. Increase the number of businesses using environmental management systems and number of regional companies which are among the UK leaders in environmental performance.

No mention in the strategy despite companies in the region which are leading in this field. Considerable potential across the business sector to increase understanding of their impacts on the environment and how sound environmental management can enhance economic performance.

Research and promote benefits of triple bottom-line accounting as a way of improving economic performing and enhancing social progress and the environment.

Number of companies with EMS and ISO 14001.

9. Promote an environmental technology industry in the region.

No mention of this sector despite huge potential on the regional and global economy through its relevance to all industrial processes and products.

Recognise existing environmental technology sector including consultancies and support with research their potential to contribute to economic performance while reversing past environmental degradation.

Turnover of companies in this sector.

10. Increase the proportion of the region’s companies with green transport plans.

-

No specific mention of green transport plans but it is acknowledged that there are "Many small and medium sized businesses with low environmental standards" (25), and that "medium and large firms will be encouraged to develop sector plans which will embrace issues such as ... sustainability"(82).

Promote Green Transport Plans (82, 85) as a key business contribution in making more efficient use of road space.

Numbers of large, medium and small companies with plans in place and accurate measures of their success in achieving modal shift.

11. Reduce unemployment.

ÖÖ

Major focus within the strategy. Little mention of what jobs those leaving the unemployment register will be doing. Numerous references to enhancing the skills of people within the region to make the most of the opportunities which arise from the strategy (10).

Increase emphasis on efforts to reduce unemployment among those who have never worked or who have not worked for a long period of time.

New jobs by sector.

12. Increase incomes, particularly of those in poverty, and promote specific anti-poverty initiatives.

Ö

Several key objectives relate to the issue (10). Needs to develop thinking on how to achieve this. Will the trickle down approach of wealth distribution resulting out of increased economic performance necessarily result in redistribution of wealth to include those in poverty? (45-47).

Recognise the benefits to the overall health and well-being of the population in ensuring the benefits of wealth generation reach those most in need.

Number of people in poverty.

13. Reduce / halt net migration from Metropolitan Area and other urban areas to rest of region.

Ö

Problem is recognised although some confusion about age-composition of population moving in and out (40, 56). Main proposal for dealing with problem is to provide quality housing on brownfield sites in towns and cities. (127) is also of general relevance.

Widen approach to making urban areas more attractive - eg better transport and education, reducing crime, tackling deprivation, boosting city and town centres. Housing alone is not enough. Also need to restrain housing and employment development in surrounding areas.

Net migration from metropolitan area to rest of region. (Also possible to include statistics for other mainly urban local authorities).

14. Support child care and youth activities.

-

Little specific mention of these important activities which would provide a significant number of people greater access to a range of opportunities. AWM to be congratulated on their consultation with young people (page 33).

Promote increased child care facilities to enable more people to re-enter the work place sooner. Investigate poor continuation in formal education past year 11 and address through the life-long learning approach.

The number of companies who operate a child care scheme enabling people to return to work.

15. Reduce mortality and increase expected years of healthy life.

xx

No recognition of healthy lifestyles and the resultant benefits to the region through increased economic performance, higher consumption power and reduced health care costs.

Develop a joint action plan to benefit economic activity and the general well-being of the population.

Develop, in collaboration with health organisations across the region such as the Regional Health Authority and Public Health Association, a range of health indicators.

16. Provide social / affordable housing to meet housing needs.

Ö

Includes positive, if vague, action to support the provision of affordable housing in appropriate situations (119).

Define the scale of the problem (drawing on WMLGA work) and the areas of the region in which this type of housing in most urgently needed (117). Say something about how the problem will be addressed - eg roles of local authorities, housing associations, private sector and AWM itself (117).

Estimated need for social / affordable housing as % of total number of households in region.

17. Improve the condition of existing unfit housing.

x

Highlights importance to potential inward investors (117). Recognises poor housing can have an impact on the well-being of the region (127). A commitment to target resources in areas likely to have poor housing (131).

Make explicit the link between the quality of housing and the health of the population (127) and on the impact on the individual's contribution to the region.

Number of houses considered unfit. Health statistics attributed to poor quality housing. Cold weather payments by area. Develop targets with reference to Housing Corporation research, Urban Task Force findings and the revised PPG3.

18. Improve education through life-long learning.

ÖÖ

Supports a strong skills agenda as one of the four key strands of the RES. (35 - 39 and 91 - 102). Developing a culture of Lifelong learning a stated central objective (9 & 10). Potential for training in the developing environmental sector including new environmental technologies.

Recognise the importance of lifelong education in helping to reduce social exclusion, crime and unemployment.

Regional indicators and targets set out (136).

19. Reduce crime and drug dependency.

-

Brief reference to impact of crime on economic growth and regional well being (127).

Support data capture on the impact of crime and drug dependency to reinforce sustainability links.

Crime statistics for the region informed by the UK Anti-drugs National Plan, West Midlands Drug Misuse Database and Community Safety Partnership.

20. Support shops and services in existing city, town and suburban centres.

-

Need to support traditional towns in the provision of jobs and services and as a focus of local economic development identified as a priority (115 and 116).

Apply Strategic Environment Appraisal of development projects to guide location of developments and to prevent inappropriate out of town developments. Develop support measures for existing shops and services (116). Encourage solutions to the inadequate provision of local shops and services within the suburbs. Introduce a "shops and services" impact assessment as a requisite in allocating AWM funding.

Retail floor space in town centres and out of town. Turnover or volume of trade.

21. Improve access to local jobs and services in rural areas.

Ö

Recognises the problem (26). Aims to improve access for both rural and urban dwellers. Role of traditional towns in providing jobs and services supported (115). Innovative approaches welcome. Use of ICT supported. Sustainable rural communities advocated (129).

Introduce clearer message. What is the balance between bringing jobs and services to people in rural areas and expecting them to travel to find them? To what extent can services be made more mobile through IT or physical means? Clarify what sustainable rural communities are (129).

Refer to Rural Development Commission survey on rural services. Should be possible to develop an index to compare overall trends. Vacancy and unemployment trends - but difficult to isolate purely rural areas from the rest.

22. Strengthen cultural and community life – e.g. the arts, recreation and sport.

-

Promotes the development of a network of youth groups (page 33) and the links between school and youth groups.

Recognise the contribution of the Arts to the regional economy and quality of life.

Attendance at major cultural events.

23. Seek the participation of all social and racial groups in the development of the community and in economic, social and cultural life.

Ö

A key strategy objective (10) and further promotes an equality of opportunity (69-71).

More fully reflect community and voluntary sector aspirations within the strategy.

Number of community groups by sector and location engaged in consultation with AWM.

24. Reduce discrimination against minorities.

Ö

Promotes a vibrant multi-cultural society (16). Recognises unique contribution of different ethnic groups (69) and need to remove barriers to opportunity (70).

Needs to develop thinking on how the benefits of a multi-cultural population can be realised. Give commitment towards a balance of representation in AWM decision making.

Integrate the routine assessment of equality of opportunity in a similar way to that done in many local authority reports: "Implications for People with Disabilities, and for Black and Ethnic Minority People & Race Relations."

25. Promote local distinctiveness.

-

Commitment to developing a regional identity (page 7).

Promote projects which enhance local distinctiveness and community development and report on good practise especially where wider objectives are met (124, 125).

Number of collaborative projects with partner local authorities and Cultural Consortium.

26. Promote access to, and appreciation of, the countryside and urban open space.

x

Recognises the broader benefits of a good quality environment to people (20).

Encourage formal education programmes to raise awareness and foster enjoyment of the countryside and open spaces.

Investment allocation for urban open spaces.

27. Reduce road casualties.

x

No specific reference and very little on the interactions between health and economic efficiency.

Encourage improvements in road safety in recognising social and economic costs.

Reduced proportion of pedestrians and cyclists killed and injured.

28. Protect and enhance biodiversity in the region.

Maximises use of "brownfield" sites although some may have developed wildlife conservation value (103, 111).

Recognise importance of habitat creation/restoration schemes within wider regeneration projects.(112, 121-126).

Meeting UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) targets regionally for priority regional species and habitats. Link to National indicator. Refer to West Mids Biodiversity Audit due 12/99.

29. Protect and enhance landscape quality and remote/tranquil areas.

x

Recognises quality and diversity of landscape (49) and threats from changing agricultural practices, tourism, traffic and development. No specific proposals for conserving or enhancing landscape. Does not recognise remoteness or tranquillity as separate attributes. Quest for economic growth could damage landscape and tranquillity.

Give commitment to protecting the region's areas of high landscape quality from development and promote Countryside Character and Natural Area approaches as strategic planning tools (130). Seek to improve degraded landscapes in urban and urban fringe areas (131). Safeguard tranquil and remote areas from development (84).

% of region in areas of high landscape quality. % of region classified as tranquil by Countryside Agency/CPRE.

30. Increase proportion of the region in deciduous, mixed woodland cover.

-

Fails to mention role of forestry and woodland management in diversification of rural economy and in local sourcing and marketing (87, 88).

Promote regional local timber utilisation, regional marketing and projects such as the Marches initiative(88).

Contribution to UK BAP targets for relevant woodland types in region.

31. Protect sites of heritage importance (historic buildings and archaeological sites) and ensure that they are properly managed.

Ö

Promotes the development of existing resources and attractions to realise potential of the tourism industry (page 41).

Include archaeological sites within environmental assets (49). Promote improved protection, management and promotion of sites and buildings to increase their contribution within the tourism sector (page 41).

Reduction in the number of historic buildings and archaeological sites at risk.

32. Reduce the area of derelict land.

ÖÖ

Recognises region has substantial areas of contaminated and brownfield land and while much progress has been made more remains to be done (34).

Develop actions to restore derelict land sites for development.

AWM investment in land rehabilitation projects.

33. Increase length of rivers of good/fair quality.

-

Identifies inland water environments as unique opportunity for development (113).

Promote water conservation and water-efficiency measures within business and domestic sectors including high environmental design standards (84, 129).

No deterioration in rivers of high quality.

34. Enhance design quality and standard of upkeep of built environment.

Ö

Calls for world class architecture (intro.) and need to raise awareness of role of built environment in creating sense of local identity and pride. Radical new approach to urban design called for. Does not address upkeep of existing built environment.

Clarify how world class architecture will be promoted. Resolve possible confusion between that and role of vernacular architecture in fostering local identity. Introduce policy on improving upkeep of existing buildings, perhaps focusing on Regeneration Areas.

% of national architectural awards won by region's new buildings. Independent survey of visual quality of existing built-up areas. % of new buildings conforming to BREEAM standards.

35. Develop an integrated network of open space and wildlife corridors in urban areas.

xx

Fails to recognise existing wildlife value of some sites and their impact on urban quality by creating open space and wildlife corridors and making urban areas more attractive to live and work.

Utilise expertise and information held by the Urban Wildlife Trust in assessing the development potential of existing sites.

Proportion of residential areas within 400 metres of a recognised area of open space.

36. Reduce or halt the growth of motorised traffic.

-

No recognition of widely recognised problems of trying to build our way out of traffic problems by extending or increasing capacity of road network (64).

Recognise massive suppressed potential of walking and cycling - 75% of all journeys are less than 5 miles. Track and promote new technologies which can provide opportunities to change the way we behave such as our transport use.

Increased levels of cycling and walking.

37. Promote alternative fuel technology in transport.

-

"AWM will foster the development of ... (clusters of businesses taking advantage of emerging market opportunities which) may include ... the next generation of transportation technology" (84).

The Strategy should make specific mention of the benefits of alternative fuels in helping to reduce pollution emissions, and the subsequent positive impacts upon health and the environment.

Proportion of road vehicles running on alternative fuels

38. Reduce air pollution.

-

Promotes mixed-use development schemes (119).

Specifically promote the use of energy conservatin technologies in new development design (129).

Research relevant health indicator.

39. Integrate environmental considerations into the RDA’s estate management and procurement procedures.

-

No reference. Build on AWM's stated role as ambassadors for the values of the region and in exchanging best practice within and between regions (Page 5).

Give AWM commitment to provide lead in developing good practice environmental management, corporate green action plans and environmental reporting.

AWM's contribution to regional sustainability targets.

40. Maximise % of development on previously developed sites.

ÖÖ

Maximising brownfield development a frequently repeated objective. Considered in surfeit except for large accessible sites. Region does not have enough quality brownfield sites immediately available. Priority is to package brownfield sites to overcome problems of fragmented ownership, contamination and dereliction (111, 129). Reliance on Regeneration Zones as focus of activity (112).

Little room for improvement , except that a clearer indication of the role of AWM vs other organisations could be given - perhaps in an Action Plan. Very important that up-to-date data is held on availability of brownfield sites (111). Be clearer about role of Regeneration Zones in relation to brownfield development (112). Recognise role some sites play in providing green space and access and in supporting biodiversity.

Two satisfactory indicators already included - see page 55. Target should be >60% for housing development - see RPG. 60% may be an appropriate target for all development.

41. Reduce the quantity of industrial and domestic waste and increase the proportion which is recycled.

-

Waste reduction and recycling is recognised as an important issue (53). Expresses wider encouragement without taking a lead (53).

Promote the use of recycled and secondary materials, waste minimisation and the development of regional and local markets for products made from recycled materials.

Proportion of materials used in construction from secondary or recycled materials.

42. Halt the increase in, and if possible reduce, per capita energy consumption.

Nothing on design for new development which recommends incorporating energy efficiency and conservation measures (118, 129).

Improve energy conservation/efficiency within existing low quality housing.

Numbers of companies with EMS’s.

43. Increase the proportion of energy use which is renewable.

-

No reference to any regional action.

Promote the production and utilisation of renewable energy as a sustainability principle. Support research into the regional potential for wind and solar power.

Increase in proportion of region's energy use from renewable sources.

44. Increase the efficiency with which property is used by reducing vacancies / under-use.

Ö

General objective to maximise the use of under-utilised buildings (103) and seek the more imaginative use of redundant buildings (129). No indication of how this will be achieved.

Include some information on how objective is to be met - eg direct contact with owners, grants to bring buildings back into productive use, perhaps a public suggestions scheme for re-use of redundant buildings. Housing probably needs separate treatment - especially working with local authorities and housing associations. Again, targeting of Regeneration Areas may be necessary (103, 119, 129).

% of dwellings vacant.

45. Promote the efficient use of mineral resources, including an increased use of recycled material.

x

Recognises importance of waste reduction and management together with market opportunities (53).

Promote the restoration of mineral workings to meet wider objectives such as wetland habitat restoration.

Proportion of minerals used that are recycled.

46. Reduce demand for water and promote re-use.

x

No reference.

Promote water conservation measures and technology in existing new housing developments (118, 129).

Area of region suffering from water stress.

47. Ensure that development does not adversely affect water resources.

Ö

Recognises the problems for rivers and wetland habitats through over abstraction and pollution (49).

Promote use of SEA to ensure impact on water resources and wetlands is factor for consideration in identifying areas for development (118,129).

Proportion of SSSI wetlands in favourable conservation status.

48. Protect floodplains from development.

x

Identifies development opportunities linked to inland water environments (113).

Promote development of floodplain restoration projects such as the Central Rivers Project.

Reduced impact on groundwater resources.

49. Improve protection and quality of groundwater resources.

-

Promotes land reclamation of contaminated sites (111,116).

Recognise impact of development on quantity and quality of groundwater resources (103).

Prevention of depletion and deterioration of groundwater.

50. To safeguard good quality agricultural land.

-

Sets targets for % of development on previously developed land but no specific reference to safeguarding best and most versatile land (136).

Ensure wherever possible, best and most versatile agricultural land is not lost to developments promoted by the RES.

Area of higher grades of agricultural land.