Local Agenda 21 (LA21)

4. Vision of a Sustainable Tameside

Building a Greener, Cleaner, Healthier and More Prosperous Community

4.1 As the new millennium approaches there is a sense of optimism and hope that a new era will usher in a period of renewal for our community and the wider world. It also provides us with an opportunity to reflect on where we are going, how well we are doing and what we value. It has been recognised that despite significant advances in scientific and technological knowledge there continue to be many social, economic and environmental issues that need to be addressed. Changes need to be made, but most importantly we must agree a shared vision of the society we wish to create. Imagining a desirable future is the first step towards making it a reality.

4.2 This Local Agenda 21 is an ambitious attempt by Tameside people to identify those things that are important to them and develop programmes of action to move us towards a more sustainable future. This is based on a vision of self sufficient, thriving communities which can provide for most of our needs at a local level. Most of Tameside is the product of its industrial past and its townships retain much of their local identity and distinctiveness. Further enhancement and reinforcement of these traditional centres could form the framework for the development of sustainable communities in the Borough. Within these self-sufficient communities the central objective will be to achieve a balance between environmental protection and improvement, economic security for all and increasing social equity. This bold vision of a sustainable future will require us to: -

• Use resources efficiently, especially energy, and minimise the production of waste.
• Limit pollution to levels that do not damage natural systems (i.e. air, water and land).
• Protect and value the diversity of nature.
• Ensure that everyone has access to good food, water, shelter and fuel at reasonable cost.
• Ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to undertake satisfying work in a diverse economy. The value of unpaid work is recognised, whilst payments for work are fair and fairly distributed.
• Protect people's good health by creating safe, clean environments and health services which emphasise prevention of illness as well as proper care for the sick.
• Develop local travel alternatives which are safe, attractive and healthier, designed to meet everyone's needs and provide access to facilities and goods without harming the environment.
• Encourage safer, more harmonious communities without the fear of crime or persecution on the grounds of race, gender or religion.
• Empower all sections of the community to participate in decision making.
• Provide opportunities for culture, leisure and recreation which are readily available to all.
• Conserve the best of our built heritage and seek high standards of urban design in new "human scale" developments.
• Give everyone access to the skills, knowledge and information needed to enable them to play a full part in society.

4.3 Tameside's LA21 Roundtable believes that not only is this vision desirable but that it is also possible to achieve. Creating a 'sustainable Tameside' presents us all with a significant challenge. Whilst this goal may appear distant it is essential that we begin to move as rapidly as possible in the right direction. Key to this is the formation of partnerships that will galvanise the resources, expertise and commitment of all sectors of the community.

4.4 Some progress has already been made towards creating a more sustainable future, but much remains to be done. Whilst many policies and actions can only be implemented at a national or international level, there is a great deal that can be undertaken by individuals and local organisations. The cultural change needed to achieve our vision of sustainable development will require the co-operation of everyone, which means raising awareness about these issues must be a high priority.

4.5 The key measure of the success of this plan will be the extent to which it influences the decisions we make about how we live, both as individuals and collectively, and whether or not this results in an improvement in the quality of people's lives.