Second Annual Sustainable Mobility Convention (SASMC) shining success!
The CIVINET UK & Ireland Network hosted a successful Second Annual Sustainable Mobility Convention (SASMC) on June 15th at Broadway House in London. The event involved speakers organised by local authorities themselves discussing best (and worst!) practise. The theme of the conference was on the importance of maintaining the sustainable transport agenda in a climate of reducing public sector spending - the speakers demonstrated that all is not doom and gloom as plenty of innovative local authorities persist with new and interesting sustainable transport solutions.
The CIVINET UK & Ireland Network hosted a successful Second Annual Sustainable Mobility Convention (SASMC) on June 15th at Broadway House in London. The event involved speakers organised by local authorities themselves discussing best (and worst!) practise. The theme of the conference was on the importance of maintaining the sustainable transport agenda in a climate of reducing public sector spending - the speakers demonstrated that all is not doom and gloom as plenty of innovative local authorities persist with new and interesting sustainable transport solutions. The day began with a video speech from Parliamentary under-Secretary for State for Transport Norman Baker MP who thanked members of the UK & Ireland CIVINET Network for your work towards achieving more sustainable clean and energy efficient transport systems. He went onto say that the work done by the Network is important and a great deal has happened since your First Annual Sustainable Mobility Convention in October last year. I am a strong supporter of local authorities working together to address our shared transport challenges in a way that helps local economies and reduces carbon emissions. CIVINET is an enduring example of such positive co-operation. In January this year I was delighted to our new Local Transport White Paper. This sets out how the government will deliver on its commitment to support sustainable travel. I'm sure some of you will have noticed the complimentary mention in the White Paper of CIVINET's efforts as an example for other local authorities to follow.Other key speakers included Cllr Shona Johnstone of Cambridgeshire CC and the Local Government Association (LGA) Economy & Transport Board who spoke about funding the sustainable transport agenda with less public monies and the new 'localism' drive. Cllr Johnstone stated The LGA has been making the case for radical reform to the way public services are funded, calling on Government to pool funding for public services in local budgets to eliminate waste, target funding more effectively and provide greater accountability to local people. Cllr Johnstone went on to say that there are some signs that some part of government, and some partners, still has some way to go to pass the localism test they have set themselves. In creating the new Sustainable Transport Fund, DfT have put a large amount of the funding available for transport into a pot which councils will be required to waste time and resources bidding for - and decisions about which projects receive funding will be made by officials in Whitehall. The temptation for many national politicians is to “advise” or “recommend” to councils that they should prioritise particular area of spend. Councils have received letters from numerous departments advising them to continue funding numerous services that is not encouragement of local decision making.Cllr Johnstone closed by saying Key to our success in mitigating the spending cuts…. is close partnership working between councils and operators and learning from each other about innovative ways to plan and join up services to make money go further. This sharing of best practice and partnership working is the foundation of the CIVINET UK & Ireland Network. Delegate Chris Calvi-Freeman, Head of Transport, London Borough of Hounslow said “I found this event particularly relevant in the current climate in which transport planners seek to progress the sustainable transport agenda, often with strong political support, but with severe constraints on financial and associated resources. The debate was lively and all the papers presented were timely and well-considered.”
