Devon County Council

Devon County Council initiated the Devon Local Agenda 21 Network in 1995. Devon 21, an independent charity came out of this Network to promote and support sustainable development across the county. Devon 21 is now being merged into the Devon Conservation Forum, as a working group within its organisation.

Devon County Council produced ‘A Better Devon a Better World’ – A local action plan for sustainable development. This pulls together some of the good sustainability work and shows that a more sustainable future is achievable by highlighting good practice.

The Sustainable Development agenda has shifted and government legislation has given sustainable development and Local Agenda 21 a higher priority and profile. County and District Councils have a duty to prepare Community Strategies and powers to work for economic, social and environmental well being in their communities – Local Agenda 21 and sustainable development using different words.

The Community Strategy for Devon is being led by the Devon Strategic Partnership, the body that brings together Local Government, Public Services, such as Health, learning providers, Police, our diverse and vibrant voluntary and community sector, and local businesses within Devon.

Sustainability is integrated into the County Council’s policies and activities through its Strategic Plans. Sustainable development is inherent in the current Strategic Plan

Devon County Council has worked with partners to produce a selection of key ‘Quality of life’ indicators of economic, environmental and social well-being (information currently only to 1999)

Devon County Council is a member of Forum for the Future’s Local Authority Partnership Scheme. Forum for the Future is recognised as the leading sustainable development charity in the UK. This scheme enables Devon County Council to work in partnership with the other local authorities, to develop sustainable development best practice.

Internal environmental sustainability performance

A staff-led programme of action is underway with all of Devon County Council’s buildings to improve environmental sustainability performance in key areas including waste, energy, water, staff travel, procurement and biodiversity.