TWO paid workers are to be appointed to press forward a sustainability strategy for West Somerset. New funding has been secured by Forum 21 which has carried out a number of environmental initiatives, over the past six years. These include setting up the Farmers' Market and the Timber ReUse workshop, both in MInehead. The two part-time workers, paid with the new funding, are Graham Boswell and Peter Grainger. Their main task will be to engage the local community in the development of a sustainability strategy. Unlike some district councils, West Somerset does not have the resources to employ a full time sustainability officer. "Forum 21 has considerable expertise among its members and the appointment of Graham and Peter will draw on this knowledge to develop a sustainability strategy that will assist the district council to promote sustainability in the next Community Plan," said Forum 21 co-ordinator Lorna Scott. Graham said that environmental sustainability was now "centre stage" with the Government: "The impetus driving this are the inevitable consequences that climate change will have on all our lives if we fail to do something about it." The Government document 'Securing the Future' shows how local communities will be involved in the development of a sustainability strategy for each local authority. "In the case of West Somerset, we want to know what your opinions are for the future. "We all want West Somerset to develop economically and socially while at the same time protecting our unique environment in such a way that it will continue to provide a living for future generations." A number of 'Quality of Life' indicators have been developed to monitor progress towards a sustainable future. These indicators take into account social and economic well-being as well as the quality of the environment.
