Recent revisions - a record of previous content
The Excellence Framework is continually being updated and added to, as standards develop and new case studies are brought to light.
Below you will find a list of previous content.
ECONOMY - previous content
(1 of 5 subsections)
A wide range of jobs and training opportunities
Good standard: your project will demonstrate compliance with all relevant checklist factors, as outlined in the Renewal.net Local Employment Agreement document.
Excellent standard: your project will have entered into a formal Local Employment Agreement, as outlined in the Renewal.net Local Employment Agreement document.
(2 of 5 subsections)
Sufficient suitable land and buildings to support economic prosperity and change
Good standard: your project lead will meet with the Local Authority Planning Officer to discuss your project for compliance with the Local Development Framework (LDF) and Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS).
Excellent standard: your project will be supported by an Economic Impact Assessment. For larger projects this will be consistent with best practice as set out by 'The Green Book' (HM Treasury).
(3 of 5 subsections)
Dynamic job and business creation, with benefits for the local community
Good standard: your project will demonstrate compliance with all relevant checklist factors, as outlined in the Renewal.net Local Employment Agreement document.
[Note: this is the same standard as subsection 1]
Excellent standard: your project will have entered into a formal Local Employment Agreement, as outlined in the Renewal.net Local Employment Agreement document.
[Note: this is the same standard as subsection 1]
(4 of 5 subsections)
A strong business community with links into the wider economy
Good standard: you will have worked through the Business Link Guide to Networking.
Excellent standard: you will have acheived a good standard and will have joined and participate in your local Chamber of Commerce.
(5 of 5 subsections)
Economically viable and attractive town centres.
Good standard: you will have made contact with your local town or parish council and to be aware of the findings of your local market town health check or local area appraisal.
Excellent standard: good standard acheived. You will also be aware of the Local Development Framework (LDF) document and its impact on your project.
ENVIRONMENTAL - previous content
(1 of 7 subsections)
Actively seek to minimise climate change, including through energy efficiency and the use of renewables
Good standard: your project will demonstrate the ability to achieve BREEAM 'very good'. Particular reference should be given to the 'Energy' section in the BREEAM assessment.
Excellent standard: your project will demonstrate the ability to achieve BREEAM 'excellent'. Particular reference should be given to the 'Energy' section in the BREEAM assessment.
(2 of 7 subsections)
Protect the environment, by minimising pollution on land, in water and in the air
Good standard: Have you considered the impact of your project environmentally and taken steps to minimise any pollution impacts? Try completing an environmental audit and environmental process statement written.
Try to reduce the following in your project:
Energy and water use in your buildings and processes
The amount of virgin materials you use and the waste you produce
Leaching or release of pollutants to air, land and water
The amount of travel that you undertake, choosing the most environmental option where possible.
Remember where possible: Avoid use – Minimise use – Reuse – Recycle – Recover energy – Considerate disposal. It is important to constantly re-evaluate your project processes and refine them to minimise environmental impacts.
Excellent standard: Undertake a formal recognised environmental audit. The ISO 14000 series of European Standards are aimed at environmental management, in that they seek to minimise an organisations impact on the environment.
(3 of 7 subsections)
Minimise waste and dispose of it in accordance with current good practice
Good standard: your project will score 75% against all relevant items in the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) Waste Minimisation Checklist.
Excellent standard: your project will score 100% against all relevant items in the SEPA Waste Minimisation Checklist.
(4 of 7 subsections)
Make efficient use of natural resources, encouraging sustainable production and consumption
Good standard: your project will work through the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) toolkit.
Excellent standard: your project will work through the WRAP toolkit and outline a series of 'quick wins' from the toolkit.
(5 of 7 subsections)
Protect and improve bio-diversity (e.g. wildlife habitats)
Good standard: your project will demonstrate an understanding of biodiversity by recording species with the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.
Excellent standard: your project will demonstrate that it has positively contributed to the enhancement of biodiversity by recording species with the National Biodiversity Network Gateway and working towards a Biodiversity Benchmark certificate.
(6 of 7 subsections)
Enable a lifestyle that minimises negative environmental impact and enhances positive impacts (e.g. by creating opportunities for walking and cycling, and reducing noise pollution and dependence on cars)
Good standard: a basic level green transport and travel plan has been produced for your project. Location and design of your project can have a big influence on the amount of vehicle miles travelled for your project. Cutting down on the need to drive lessens pollution, noise and provides health benefits. Try to maximise:
Provision of accessible public transport nodes near your project
Facilities to accommodate walkers and cyclists (e.g. showering facilities etc.)
Pedestrian zones within the project if appropriate
Carsharing – provide car share spaces for dedicated car share staff
Homeworking where possible
Incentives to encourage staff to avoid their cars.
Make walking and cycling the first choice. Try to minimise:
Miles travelled by car by staff members
Project mileage as a whole
Excellent standard: a full transport impact survey has been undertaken and implemented for your project. The survey has derived strategies leading to a reduction in overall impact. Location and design of your project can have a big influence on the amount of vehicle miles travelled for your project. Cutting down on the need to drive lessens pollution, noise and provides health benefits.
(7 of 7 subsections)
Create cleaner, safer and greener neighbourhoods (e.g. by reducing litter and graffiti, and maintaining pleasant public spaces)
Good standard: your project will have undertaken a Greenspace audit. This audit measures the safety, quality and attractiveness of public spaces. The scale of this assessment will depend on the particular project.
Excellent standard: Ayour project will have undertaken a Greenspace audit and relevant sections of the Community section of the Regional Sustainability Checklist have been completed.
EQUITY - previous content
(1 of 3 subsections)
Recognise individuals' rights and responsibilities.
Good standard: currently no standard available.
Excellent standard: currently no standard available.
(2 of 3 subsections)
Respect the rights and aspirations of others (both neighbouring communities, and across the wider world) also to be sustainable.
Good standard: work through the Corporate Social Responsibility Competency Framework, achieve ‘Awareness’ and ‘Understanding’ levels.
Excellent standard: work through the Corporate Social Responsibility Competency Framework, achieve ‘Leadership’ level.
(3 of 3 subsections)
Have due regard for the needs of future generations in current decisions and actions.
Good standard: currently no standard available.
Excellent standard: currently no standard available.
GOVERNANCE - previous content
(1 of 5 subsections)
Representative, accountable governance systems which both facilitate strategic, visionary leadership and enable inclusive, active and effective participation by individuals and organisations
Good standard: run through the Governance and Participation Development Toolkit and comply with advise given.
Excellent standard: currently no standard available.
(2 of 5 subsections)
Effective engagement with the community at neighbourhood level, including capacity building to develop the community's skills, knowledge and confidence.
Good standard: actively engage with the local community in developing and implementing your project. Work through the Scottish Centre for Regeneration Community Engagement 'How To' Guide sets standards for community engagement.
Excellent standard: achieve 'AccountAbility AA1000', being actively involved in the community to raise the skills, knowledge and confidence of local people.
(3 of 5 subsections)
Strong, informed and effective partnerships that lead by example (e.g. government, business, community)
Good standard: work through ‘The Guide to Effective Participation’ by Partnerships online.
Excellent standard: Currently no standard available.
(4 of 5 subsections)
Strong, inclusive, community and voluntary sector
Good standard: your project will comply with the local Compact, an agreement between government and the voluntary and community sector in England to improve their relationship for mutual advantage.
Excellent standard: your project will comply with the local Compact and assess its activities using the Measure Effectiveness toolkit (a toolkit that enables the community and voluntary sector network to improve its monitoring and evaluation activities and to share the information in a comparable and consistent way).
(5 of 5 subsections)
Sense of civic values, responsibility and pride
Good standard: meet with local community leaders to consult on local civic values, responsibility and pride.
Excellent standard: work through the ‘Rules for Local Distinctiveness’ list and produce a plan as to how your project will contribute to a sense of civic values, responsibility and pride.
HOUSING AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT - previous content
(1 of 7 subsections)
Sense of place - a place with a positive 'feeling' for people and local distinctiveness
Good standard: your project will achieve ‘Silver’ standard in CABE-HBF ‘Building for Life’ standard. Particular focus should be given to questions 1, 4, 7, 10, 18 and 20 in this standard for a smaller project where a full assessment may not be appropriate.
Excellent standard: your project will achieve 'Gold' standard in CABE-HBF 'Building for Life' standard. Particular focus should be given to questions 1, 4, 7, 10, 18 and 20 in this standard for a smaller project where a full assessment may not be appropriate.
(2 of 7 subsections)
User-friendly public and green spaces with facilities for everyone including children and older people
Good standard: your project will demonstrate compliance with the eight sections of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) Spaceshaper, using the Spaceshaper: A User's Guide
Excellent standard: your project will use the CABE Spaceshaper toolkit with a trained facilitator.
Sufficient range, diversity, affordability and accessibility of housing within a balanced housing market
Good standard: your project should implement the results from the Local Authority's local housing needs assessment, or if not available a study of local housing needs should be undertaken and the results implemented.
Excellent standard: a good standard is achieved. Also the appropriate Local Authority’s percentage of affordable homes per site are adhered to.
(4 of 7 subsections)
Appropriate size, scale, density, design and layout, including mixed-use development, that complement the distinctive local character of the community
Good standard: achieve ‘Silver’ standard in CABE-HBF ‘Building for Life’ standard. Particular focus should be given to questions 3, 4, 7, 14, 18 and 19 in this standard for a smaller project where a full assessment may not be appropriate.
Excellent standard: achieve ‘Gold’ standard in CABE-HBF ‘Building for Life’ standard. Particular focus should be given to questions 3, 4, 7, 14, 18 and 19 in this standard for a smaller project where a full assessment may not be appropriate.
(5 of 7 subsections)
High quality, mixed-use, durable, flexible and adaptable buildings, using materials which minimise negative environmental impacts.
Good standard: all new dwellings achieve Level 3 in the Code for Sustainable Homes and that 70% of all materials used are Grade A in the BRE Green Guide to Specification.
Excellent standard: all new dwellings achieve Level 4 in the Code for Sustainable Homes and that all materials used are Grade A in the BRE Green Guide to Specification.
(6 of 7 subsections)
Buildings and public spaces which promote health and are designed to reduce crime and make people feel safe.
Good standard: advice is implemented following a consultation with a police architectural liaison officer.
Excellent standard: The ‘Secured by Design’ standard is achieved. Alternatively, in the case of a building, the British Standard for Urban Design BS EN 14383 1:2006 is achieved.
(7 of 7 subsections)
Accessibility of jobs, key services and facilities by public transport, walking and cycling
Good standard: a basic level green transport and travel plan has been produced and implemented for your project.
Excellent standard: a full transport impact survey has been undertaken and implemented for your project. The survey has derived strategies leading to a reduction in overall impact.
SERVICES - previous content
(1 of 5 subsections)
Well-performing local schools, further and higher education institutions, and other opportunities for lifelong learning
Good standard: your project will include a statement detailing how you will incorporate National Standards. Project owners should be familiar with Department for Education and Skills standards. A training needs assessment should be undertaken if appropriate.
Excellent standard: a good standard is achieved. Your project should implement the Department of Education and Skills standards. A training needs assessment will be undertaken if appropriate. Any Continuing Professional Development or Lifelong Learning activities will meet the requirements of their relevant bodies.
(2 of 5 subsections)
High quality local health care and social services, integrated where possible with other services
Good standard: Your project will achieve all National Minimum Care Standards appropriate to the particular project as set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. These standards are monitored by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).
Excellent standard: Your project will have exceeded the National Minimum Care Standards specified in the Care Standards Act 2000.
(3 of 5 subsections)
High quality services for families and children (including early years child care)
Good standard: where your project provides services to families and children, you will meet the minimum National Standards specified by both the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) and the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). Projects must be aware of the requirements of the relevant Local Development Framework.
Excellent standard: where your project provides services to families and children, you will exceed the minimum National Standards specified by both the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) and the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). Projects must incorporate the requirements of the relevant Local Development Framework.
(4 of 5 subsections)
Good range of affordable public, community, voluntary and private services (e.g. retail, fresh food, commercial, utilities, information and advice) which are accessible to the whole community
Good standard: Achieved ‘Silver’ standard in CABE-HBF ‘Building for Life’ standard. The project should considers the requirements specified in local and regional framework documents and plans for mixed useParticular focus should be given to questions 18, 19 and 20 in this standard for a smaller project where a full assessment may not be appropriate.
Excellent standard: Achieved ‘Gold’ standard in CABE-HBF ‘Building for Life’ standard. Project implements the requirements specified in local and regional framework documents and plans for mixed use). Particular focus should be given to questions 18, 19 and 20 in this standard for a smaller project where a full assessment may not be appropriate.
(5 of 5 subsections):
Service providers who think and act long-term and beyond their own immediate geographical and interest boundaries, and who involve users and local residents in shaping their policy and practice
Good standard: your project has undertaken an assessment of the views of its stakeholders, users, clients or customers so that it may target its services or offerings in the best way. Complete an assessment of your project in this respect by using at least one of the techniques listed below. This process will help you to improve your service:
Production of a ‘customer’ charter and seek the views of your customers through a focus group session
Consultation with stakeholders through discussion· User satisfaction surveys that ask ‘How can we improve?’
Undertake market research that focuses on new offerings from your project
Research similar projects in your local area or region with a view to networking and becoming involved in more projects
Excellent standard: your project will have achieved the AA1000 Assurance Standard established by AccountAbility.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL - previous content
(1 of 6 subsections)
A sense of community identity and belonging
Good standard: as part of your project you will meet with a community practitioner (community worker, community development officer or neighbourhood manager) for the area, to consider how the your project contributes to a sense of community identity and belonging.
Excellent standard: you will produce a statement about the way in which your projects fits with and enhances community identity and being, through active engagement and consultion with the community.
(2 of 6 subsections)
Tolerance, respect and engagement with people from different cultures, background and beliefs
Good standard: your project will comply with the law on discrimination. You will fproduce an anti-discrimination policy and equal opportunities policy.
Excellent standard: your project will acheive the good standard and implement a range of schemes that actively encourage tolerance, respect and engagement with people from different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs, for example, recognising religious holiday requirements and prayer needs.
(3 of 6 subsections)
Friendly, co-operative and helpful behaviour in neighbourhoods
Good standard: your project will meet with the local constabulary and join any local Neighbourhood Watch or Business Watch scheme in the area (details supplied by your local constabulary).
Excellent standard: your project will acheive the good stanardard. You will also consider how your project will comply with the Respect Agenda by talking to your local Anti-Social Behaviour Officer.
(4 of 6 subsections)
Opportunities for cultural, leisure, community, sport and other activities, including for children and young people
Good standard: your project will actively communicate the opportunities cultural, leisure, community, sport and other activities for those involved in your project.
Excellent standard: you will acheive the good standard. Your project will also develop a cultural strategy outlining how you will positively impact the provision of culture, leisure and other activities for all in the local area, for example, though direct provision, sponsoring events or activities; organising events or activities; providing discounts for provision; allowing use of your facilities.
(5 of 6 subsections)
Low levels of crime, drugs and antisocial behaviour with visible, effective and community-friendly policing
Good standard: your project will demonstrate compliance Secured By Design Principles.
Excellent standard: your project will demonstrate the ability to achieve a Secured By Design Developers Award.
(6 of 6 subsections)
Social inclusion and good life chances for all
Good standard: your project will comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, undertaking the Department for Work and Pensions’ Better Business Check list.
Excellent Standard measurement: You will write an Equal Opportunities policy in line with guidance from the Equal Opportunities Commission.
TRANSPORT AND CONNECTIVITY
- previous content
(1 of 5 subsections)
Good standard: your project should be supported by a Travel Plan.
Excellent standard: your project should be supported by a Travel Plan which achieves 'yes' for all relevant criteria in the Department for Transport's 'Essential Guide to Travel Planning'.
(2 of 5 subsections)
Facilities to encourage safe local walking and cycling
Good standard: your project should be supported by a Travel Plan which will demonstrate that cycling and walking have been fully considered.
Excellent standard: your project should be supported by a Travel Plan which will demonstrate evidence that all the relevant issues have been addressed in Appendix B (Checklist for the Local Walking Environment, pg 30) of the Department for Transport's 'Encouraging Walking'. (3 of 5 subsections).
An appropriate level of local parking facilities in line with local plans to manage road traffic demand
Good standard: a parking plan document will be produced for your project – this may form an element of a wider sustainable transport plan. The parking plan must be informed by the requirements specified in PPG 13 and appropriate levels of parking will be provided. Parking needs will be considered along with strategies to minimise parking requirements, for example, the provision of ‘car share’ spaces.
Excellent standard: The project has met the requirements of the National Parking Standard.
(4 of 5 subsections)
Good access to regional, national and international communications networks
Good standard: to be aware of and thought about the needs of your project in terms of its access to regional, national and international communications networks. This requires an understanding of Planning Policy Guidance 13 and any regional/local planning documents.
Excellent standard: to be aware of and implemented the needs of your project in terms of its access to regional, national and international communications networks. This requires an understanding of Planning Policy Guidance 13 and any regional/local planning documents. The strategy for your project must reflect the requirements of these documents.
(5 of 5 subsections)
Widely available and effective telecommunications and Internet access
Good standard: a statement will be produced that demonstrates how consideration has been given to the provision of flexible and future-proof ICT systems and communication networks within the project. Consideration should be given to the following where possible:
Allows for future upgrades, for example, by providing removable trunking covers
Provision of dedicated home office space
Broadband connections provided as a minimum.
Excellent standard: a statement will be produced that demonstrates how consideration has been given to the provision of flexible and future-proof ICT systems within the project. Some of these strategies will also have been implemented. Consideration should be given to the following where possible:
Provision of a common service trench to sites
Equal attention given to the communication needs of the project as is given to the other utilities – communication infrastructure is commonly known as ‘the fourth utility’
Allows for future upgrades, for example, by providing removable trunking covers
Provision of dedicated home office space
Broadband connections provided as a minimum
Provision of Wi-Fi hubs
Equally ‘dead’ spaces (where connectivity is not possible) may be considered.