The key outcomes that we were aiming to achieve this year were:<\/p>\n
Overall, we have succeeded in meeting all these outcomes. More people are undoubtedly aware of our activities, participating in projects and accessing our support services. \u00a0Many people are clearly excited by the opportunities of getting involved in creating a resilient, low carbon future but, at the same time, it has recently become clear that a small but vocal minority feel suspicious of or misunderstand our aim. \u00a0We are in the process of seeking to address issues that have been raised and of reviewing our communications strategy.<\/p>\n
Our recent travel survey has clearly shown that people are travelling less and making more use of public transport, walking and cycling. \u00a0Some of this quite significant change is very likely to be due to increased fuel costs and general austerity. However, those who have accessed our travel advice do show a greater level of behaviour change.<\/p>\n
Participants in the Household Canny Challenge are starting to grow more of their own food and several groups are making plans for food growing projects in public space. There is a growing network of enthusiastic worm composters, although this project took longer to get going than we had anticipated.<\/p>\n
Our survey of households that had received an energy audit showed very similar results to on average to the previous year, with estimated average savings of about 18% on annual energy consumption. Some households achieved much greater savings, showing that energy aware behaviour can itself make a significant difference.<\/p>\n
40 households installed photovoltaic panels following our negotiation of a discount deal with local installer Lothian Solar. This number would have been significantly higher if the UK Government hadn\u2019t caused such confusion with their bungled changes to the Feed in Tariffs. Quite a number of other households have installed wood burners, pellet stoves, heat pumps and solar thermal panels. We have not yet secured planning permission for our proposed community wind turbine but the application will be lodged shortly and we have demonstrated clear public support.<\/p>\n
We have a close working relationship with East Lothian Council and other community planning partners and while there is still much to do to ensure that we are all pulling in the same direction, a good start has been made. At the same time, we have been able to support the development of local services such as the Community Bakery and the development of other projects that are all starting to contribute to the creation of a more resilient community.<\/p>\n
More specific outcomes related to each strand of our funded projects are detailed below.<\/p>\n
(see whole article as one page<\/a>)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Neighbours Together:<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Facilitated and supported households to; <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Worms Work\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018What\u2019s Stopping You?\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dunbar Community Energy Company<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Travel Survey Data<\/strong><\/p>\n This year, Sustaining Dunbar has carried out Travel to School surveys, Household Travel surveys, and a telephone survey of SpareWheels members.\u00a0 Reports outlining methodology and results can be found in the background documents.\u00a0 Many more people are taking part in our surveys now; the response rates for travel to school surveys have increased from 18% to 37%, and for household surveys from 9% to 13%, hopefully indicating an increase interest in transport issues.\u00a0 Detailed results from the household survey may be found in the background documents, but in summary results indicate that:<\/p>\n Sustaining Dunbar carries out an annual survey of the journey to school at both Dunbar Grammar and Dunbar Primary Schools, copies of the survey forms and report are included in the background documents.\u00a0 Looking at data from these surveys, we are reassured to see that the high levels of active travel to both schools are still being maintained, at well over 80% for local pupils.\u00a0 Cycle rates to the Grammar School have also increased slightly, which is a major breakthrough and perhaps indicates that the high levels of cycling observed at the Primary School are beginning to slowly transfer to the Grammar School as pupils change schools.\u00a0 Both schools have a high percentage of pupils who do after school activities, almost 80% for Dunbar Primary School and just over 60% for Dunbar Grammar School. Survey results indicated that well over 50% of pupils from both schools think that they travel by car less to after school activities than last year. <\/p>\n East Lothian Community Planning Partnership<\/strong><\/p>\n Our Local Resilience Action Plan published in printed form. This has generally been very well received and is proving extremely useful as a guiding framework for Sustaining Dunbar\u2019s future activities and priorities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The key outcomes that we were aiming to achieve this year were: People will be more aware of, engaged with and excited by the challenge of moving to a low-carbon future People will be making fewer unnecessary journeys and will … Continue reading \n
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\nSpareWheels Car Club<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\nPublic Transport Information and Advice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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\nBeGreen Energy Advice Service<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\nLocal Resilience Action Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n