Agenda item

a)        Joint Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships and the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services

b)        Presentation by the Environment & Design Manager

Members considered the Joint report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships and the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services that provided an overview of the current County Durham Environment Awards and the continued strengthening of the community, partner and Member engagement in the delivery of the programme (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

The Committee received a presentation from Mr Bhowmick, Environment and Design Manager that highlighted the following points:-

·       Aim

·       The Awards, reward: great design; environmental guardianship and community spirit in County Durham

·       Objectives

o   Deliver a cleaner, more attractive and sustainable environment

o   Maximise the value and benefits of Durham’s natural environment

o   Reduce carbon emissions and adapt to the impact of climate change

o   Promote sustainable design and protect Durham’s heritage

o   History and Development

o   Day to day management and delivery of the Awards lies with Durham County Council and until 2016 was a combination of staff from Environment and Design, Pride and Neighbourhoods communications teams

o  Following the creation of Real Service Groups these working relationships have been maintained and strengthened with support from the corporate communications and marketing team

o   Established in 1989

o   Considered nearly 1300 applications

o   More than 12,000 people involved in scheme

o   Originally focussed on the built and natural environment

o   Developed to reflect the changing environment agenda with the introduction of a climate change category and greener business award

o   Developed a stronger community focus with partnership and volunteer categories

o   Outstanding awards introduced 2006

·       12 Categories 2017 – Built Environment, Community Partnership, Greener Business, Places and Spaces, Volunteer Group, Volunteer Over 18, Climate Change, Craftsmanship, Natural Environment, Schools and Colleges, Volunteer Under 18 and Waste Management

·       Funding and Budget

o   DCC - £5000 (varied budgets), Sponsorship £5000 (varies year on year)

o   Support from the Northern Echo as media partner and prizes for specific categories

o   Since 2006 sponsorship has increased and a variety of levels are offered which are Gold £2000+, Silver £1000+ and Bronze £500+

·       Process

o   Feb/March Call for Sponsors; June Launch to coincide with World Environment Day; July/August Closing Date; September Specialist Judging; October Final Judging; November Awards Ceremony

·       Moving Forward Development and Engagement

o   Continue development of new means of communication – social media – video

o   Continue to pursue sponsorship opportunities with new businesses and developers in County Durham

o   Review ‘sustainability’ categories and refocus to current objectives

o   Refresh judging process to reinvigorate engagement

o   Continue to promote the Awards at grassroots level through AAP’s, Local Members and established Community Partnerships

o   Plan for 30^th anniversary 2019

The Chairman thanked the Officer for his presentation and commented on the engagement that they have with business and the voluntary sector.

Mr Kinch commented that he had been approached by the parish council about turning the grass verges into a wild meadow and asked if they could receive support to start off the project.

The Officer responded that they did have a scheme running to support more meadows and would be happy to look at the scheme and suggested that the Clerk of the Parish Council seek advice from the Ecology Team and Clean and Green Team to change mowing schedules.

Resolved: That the information contained in the report and presentation be noted.