SEVILLA 2007 - Parallel Session B02

The Baseline Review for Target Setting:Hampshire County Council’s Methodology and the Integration of Non-Environmental Themes

Mike BridgemanHampshire County Council, UK

22 March 2007

Presentation overview

• Introduction to Hampshire & HCC• HCC’s baseline review methodology• Target setting – short & long term• Benefits to date

Hampshire

Population – 1.25m

Area – 3,680km²

Hampshire County Council

• 37,000 employees• £1.6 billion budget• Wide range of services• One of the top performing LAs in the UK • Signed the Aalborg Commitments in

2004

HCC Baseline Review - Development

• No template to follow• Own methodology developed:

– 0 to 4 scoring system created– 400 pieces of evidence allocated under

specific Aalborg Commitments– HCC self-assessment, but audited

externally

HCC Baseline Review – Scoring Criteria

4 Comprehensive evidence that Commitment is being

achieved

3 Strong evidence of progress towards achieving the Commitment

2 Some evidence of progress towards achieving the Commitment

1 Limited evidence of progress towards achieving the Commitment

0 No evidence at all of any progress towards achieving the Commitment

HCC Baseline Review - Scores

1. Governance (2.2) 6. Better mobility, less traffic (1.6)

2. Local management (1.6) 7. Local action for health

(2.0)

3. Natural resources (2.0) 8. Local economy (2.4)

4. Consumption (2.2) 9. Social Equity & Justice

(2.4)

5. Planning & Design (2.4) 10.Local to Global (1.4)

Headline overall score – 2.02 out of 4

HCC Target Setting

• Rapid change unlikely in short-term – aim to accelerate the score in the medium term

• Short term target – 2.1 out of 4 by end 2008/09

• Long term target – “Within a decade Hampshire will prosper without risking our environment”

• More sophisticated targets & monitoring still needed to bridge the two goals

Conclusion: What are the Benefits?

• HCC methodology so simple accepted by all without question • Has led to more effective sustainability engagement with

Councillors and officers• Environmental, economic, social & governance issues

together• HCC’s headline Aalborg score now a key performance

indicator in our Corporate Business Plan = key to success• In just 2 years, Aalborg has already helped move

sustainability from the ‘fringes’ to the ‘centre’ of HCC business

Contact

Mike BridgemanSustainability Team LeaderHampshire County Counciltel. +44 (0) 1962 845832mike.bridgeman@hants.gov.ukwww3.hants.gov.uk/sustainability