EMRA published ‘ Towards Sustainable Development?’ (360KB PDF) our Scrutiny Review into the Sustainability of Key Elements of emda’s Work in Delivering the Regional Economic Strategy in July 2005. The review was a ‘non-panel’ review and was led by RSB member Frank Lucas. EMRA had close discussions with emda throughout the course of the review.

The report made twelve recommendations to support improvements, which are;

COMMITTMENT TO AND EMBEDDING SUSTINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Recommendation 1

Continue to build knowledge and understanding throughout emda of sustainable development and it how it is applied to each area of work by:

R1.1 Providing adequate training to staff and re-running an updated version of Professional Partnerships For Sustainable Development (PP4SD), a training course that was previously delivered in 2003.

R1.2 Tailoring the induction process for staff at different levels, paying fuller attention to sustainability with key members of staff.

R1.3 Updating current training and providing refresher courses on project appraisal which includes a core component on sustainable development.

R1.4 Re-enforcing the message internally that sustainable development is the overarching framework for the region and the business case for sustainable development (via staff briefings, intranet, staff meetings, appraisals etc).

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

Recommendation 2

Increase emda’s board members’ awareness and understanding of sustainable development through;

R2.1 Identifying a lead Board member for sustainable development issues.

R2.1 Promoting sustainable development on the board’s agenda.

R2.3 Delivering training and development to all board members on the theory and application of sustainable development in the regions.

Recommendation 3

Embed Sustainable Development into emda’s strategic direction by ensuring that;

R3.1 The revised Regional Economic Strategy (RES) is robust and demonstrates how the RES contributes towards achieving the sustainable development objectives of the IRS.

R3.2 emda’s Corporate Plan meets the objectives and priorities set out in the RES

Recommendation 4

Further embed sustainable development in existing processes by:

R4.1 Working with partners after the review of the RES to implement a system of key performance indicators (KPIs) that represent sustainable development and are outcome orientated. Use the KPIs in relevant contracts with all external parties and other relevant strategies.

R4.2 Re-fining the East Midlands Integrated Toolkit in co-operation with EMRA and other appraisal providers, to reflect requirements of sustainable development appraisal of projects and activities.

R4.3 Modifying the project appraisal forms and guidance by, for example, demonstrating how a project will meet key RES and other IRS objectives and outputs, making the sustainability question more specific.

R4.4 Further supporting integrated delivery by setting direction from above, and enabling teams to incorporate sustainable development as part of routine work, and encouraging joint submissions from different teams to the Project Appraisal Review group

R4.5 Reviewing the funding application process to ensure projects continue to be judged on overall merit and that they take into account wider sustainability outcomes.

R4.6 Ensuring that the planned evaluation system evaluates the environmental, economic and social impacts of projects once they have been completed.

R4.7 Continuing to ensure that projects applying for funding should be accompanied by a long-term funding plan, detailing the project’s long term financial sustainability.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Recommendation 5

emda should continue to improve their sustainability performance through a number of steps including:

R5.1 Developing a sustainable procurement policy and guidelines, accompanied by appropriate information to employees to enable implementation of this system/policy

R5.2 Investigating the possibility of implementing a Sustainable Management System thereby ensuring a framework whereby decisions and actions can consistently enhance sustainability and the impact of all internal operations can be analysed. This may entail emda developing their own system as there is currently no accredited system.

R5.3 Publishing an annual sustainability report detailing the impact of emda as an organisation and its environmental, economic and social performance in the region, where the data is available.

INFLUENCING BUSINESS

Recommendation 6

emda should improve their influence on businesses to implement sustainable development by:

R6.1 Integrating sustainable development into subsequent Business Link service contracts so that it is not addressed only as part of stand alone projects.

R6.2 Creating demonstration projects and utilising the opportunities inherent in corporate social responsibility to gain uptake. Taking a much more proactive role in marketing the opportunities to business, building the business case ‘winning hearts and minds’ and providing signposts to right areas where emda does not have the capacity.

R6.3 Examining the lessons that can be learnt from other projects, e.g. Groundwork and BEST to inform how sustainable development can be built in to future business support models.

REGENERATION

Recommendation 7

emda should use their extensive experience of integrating sustainable development into regeneration projects to be more proactive in initiating such projects. This could be done through project briefs and tender documents.

DEVOLVING RESPONSIBILITY

Recommendation 8

emda should put measures into place to embed sustainable development in the work of SSPs by;

R8.1 Building the knowledge and understanding of sustainable development amongst the members and staff of SSPs through training and induction and ensuring new processes (KPIs, project appraisal form, toolkit and evaluation) are utilised by SSPs.

R8.2 Critically appraising sub-regional economic strategies to ensure that sustainable development is a cross-cutting issue.

R8.3 Providing incentives to encourage sustainable practice e.g. attaching criteria to funding which sets minimum sustainable development criteria and rewards best practice.

R8.4 Including sustainable development objectives and targets in relevant contracts.

THE REGIONAL FRAMEWORK

Recommendation 9

In partnership with the Regional Assembly and Government Office, emda should continue to research and promote best-practice internally and externally on an on-going basis, and make sure that information is easily accessible e.g. through the current emda marketing mechanisms.

Recommendation 10

If consultation carried out by emda elicits more critical than constructive feedback emda should further monitor the effectiveness of their consultation mechanisms to ensure the generation of more constructive comments, for example by having more targeted questions.

Recommendation 11

Continue to work with the Regional Assembly and Government Office to develop and deliver an Integrated Regional Strategy that will direct sustainable development and be owned throughout the region.

LESSONS FROM ELSEWHERE

Recommendation 12

emda should look to experiences in European regions to learn from new ideas or approaches being implemented.

In October 2005, the Regional Scrutiny Board considered the Action Plan (60KB PDF) developed by emda. In March 2006 RSB considered emda's Progress Report (90KB PDF) and then in October 2006 emda shared their Final Assessment Report (80KB PDF) with the RSB.