Over 1000 people and 300 organisations in York produced the York Local Agenda.

A steering group was formed, made up of City of York Council, Environment Agency, Federation of Small Businesses (York), CGU Life, Mulberry Hall, North Yorkshire Health Authority, North Yorkshire Specialist Health Promotion Service, Stockholm Environment Institute (York), University of York, University College of Ripon and York, York Evening Press, Womens' Institute, Council for Voluntary Services and York Local Agenda 21 Network (representing individuals and voluntary groups).

The steering group organised two one-day conferences and over 50 workshops with neighbourhood forums, parish councils, voluntary groups, students and business representatives. The aim of the conferences was to see what people thought was good and bad about York, what changes are needed and how these might be brought about.

All responses and suggestions could be grouped under 15 objectives which, if met in balance, would improve the quality of life in York. These are:

A York with:

• Many different employment opportunities with good working conditions and recognition of the valuable contribution of voluntary and unpaid work.
• Everyday goods and services, including those produced locally, available close to people's homes and workplaces.
• Low and decreasing crime levels, and a sense of safety and security for all citizens.
• Transport that does not have to rely on the car.
• People and businesses producing minimal amounts of waste and using non-renewable resources carefully.
• As little pollution as possible.
• A natural environment which supports the largest possible range of native animals and plants and which people can also enjoy.
• Good physical and mental health, with effective treatment available for those suffering from ill health.
• Education and training for people of all ages, abilities and circumstances.
• Safe, affordable and nutritious food available to everyone.
• Housing which is affordable, appropriately sized and in good condition available to all.
• Organised and casual leisure opportunities for everyone.
• The opportunity for everyone to be part of a community, and to play a part within it.
• The built and human features and characteristics which make York unique protected and enhanced.
• The opportunity for everyone to have a say in decisions affecting
• The responses were made into a document, and more than 90 statutory, business and voluntary organisations were asked for comments and suggestions. They also provided examples of good practice.

The results of this consultation were combined with the public's comments, and a draft plan was produced in January 2000. This document asked members of the public and over 200 organisations to choose priority action points, and indicators to check that progress on the plan is actually occurring.

The final version of York's Local Agenda 21 Plan "A Better Quality of Life in York" was launched through a series of events and workshops at the beginning of March 2000. To download a copy of this see York' s LA21 strategy.

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