In 1999 Government asked each region in the UK to create an Regional Sustainable Development Framework (RSDF) to act as a sustainable development guide for policy and delivery. The South West’s original RSDF – a multipart document entitled 'A Sustainable Future for the South West' – was put together by a partnership of regional agencies and informed by a huge consultation exercise. After endorsement by the South West Regional Assembly it was published in 2001.
A 2005 ‘fitness-for-purpose’ review (conducted by the region’s independent champion of sustainable development Sustainability South West) concluded that the RSDF, whilst inspiring some good practice, was not having enough influence on delivery. A high profile and accessible ‘tool’ was needed to facilitate more action on sustainability in the South West. Key regional agencies gave the go ahead for a revitalised RSDF and a ‘working group’ was set up to take this forward. A wider consultation network, open to any interested organisation in the region, was also established to help to inform the development process.
The Sustainability Shaper Steering Group has overseen the Shaper’s early development, which has been coordinated by Sustainability South West. The wider consultation network (along with other stakeholders) ‘road-tested’ and fed back on a trial version of the website in Autumn 2006.
Members of the Shaper Steering Group (present and past):
Creating Excellence
Department of Health
Dorset County Council
English Heritage
Environment Agency
Envolve
Exmoor National Park
Government Office for the South West
HERDA-SW
Learning & Skills Council
Learning South West
Local Sustainability Group for the South West
Natural England
South West Forum
South West Regional Assembly
South West Regional Development Agency
South West Regional Observatory
Sustainability South West
Wessex Water
