A counsel for change: considering Sheffield’s environmental options

Posted on July 30, 2012 by transitionsheff

By rofltosh on flickr

Wednesday 25 July 2012, from 7:00-9:30pm, at the Harland Cafe.
The next Transition Sheffield Cafe event offers a chance to explore a range of topics related to environmental sustainability in Sheffield. With us for the evening will be Jack Scott, Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste and Streetscene.

There are possibilities of changes to recycling services, street-lighting and cycle lanes, and we’ve asked Jack some big questions about his new portfolio:

  • Can Sheffield’s recent recycling improvements be delivered in the light of current budget cuts?
  • How sustainable will the highways maintenance PFI be? (i.e. Do opportunities for cutting the energy footprint of street lighting and improving bicycling routes outweigh the possible financial unsustainability of private finance initiatives?)

Got an idea for how policy could translate into sustainability on the ground? Come to the Cafe, listen to some of the council’s plans, and discuss how transition ideas could take shape in Sheffield.

In addition of course, this is an opportunity to meet or share news with people from across the city and beyond who have an interest in sustainability.The Harland Cafe (formerly Cafe Euro) is on John Street, off Bramall Lane. It will be serving a range of hot and cold drinks, beer and wine, and light snacks. We look forward to seeing you there.

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Event notes: Getting the Recipe Right – Improving Sheffield’s Food Plan

Posted on March 20, 2012 by transitionsheff

Photo by YoTuTu

This Transition Cafe event was on Wednesday 18 April 2012, from 7:00-9:30pm, at the lovely Harland Cafe.The focus for the evening was Sheffield’s Food Plan. Chris Shaw, Director of Health Improvement at Sheffield City Council, described the progress of the plan.

He expressed regret that the progress of the plan had been impacted by cutbacks etc., but thought that awareness about some transition concepts had begun to filter into discussions of those implementing the plan (e.g. with attention now being paid to food poverty and to wellbeing).

Questions from participants initially focused on the practical implementation of the plan, for example, whether a survey of available land for local food growing had been considered; how cumbersome public food procurement processes could be simplified to enable local organisations to participate; and whether the sustainable food cities award would actually bring any benefits. There was also a request to speed up the setting up of real partnership work with other local organisations interested in the food agenda.  This is something which was raised a couple of years ago and hasn’t been achieved.

However, on a more positive note, a Conference is planned during the Food Festival in September 2012. Chris promised that rather than simply being consumer-focused, this will include consultative and awareness-raising elements.  Transition Sheffield will be helping to organise these with the aim of moving to more sustainable, resilient food systems in Sheffield.  If you are able to help in any way, or your organisation would like to be involved, please contact rickwatson50’AT’hotmail.com.

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