A step removed from Government, the Sustainable Development Round Table is able to speak to individuals, groups and businesses and canvas their often ?candid? views on the topics of sustainability to feed back into the consultation process.

Its chairman Malcolm Butterfield describes its role as being the ?activist? element in the process of channelling back views into the consultation process to create a strategy and plan for Bermuda?s long term sustainable future.

?The Round Table?s role is to be the activist?s voice, whoever the public is and that includes churches, clubs, young people, the business community and others. We embrace their candid views and we keep the Government on its toes,? said Mr. Butterfield. In the first year of putting together the current draft strategy and plan the Round Table gathered information from a range of different groups, from previous public meetings, letters and emails and fed them in to the mix from which evolved the near 500-page document.

Mr. Butterfield said the abridged ?executive summary? version of the plan was an excellent way for the public to get a good understanding of the issues so they could be prepared for each of the upcoming five public meetings to air their views and listen to discussions.

He has found the issue of housing, and more accurately affordable housing, one of the biggest issues that is raised again and again by the public, as is education.

?These are things that make people take an interest in regarding sustainable development. We pride ourselves in our high quality of living. Sustainable development is about maintaining that,? he explained. On affordable housing he said the issue for Bermuda boiled down to the market price of housing. He said there appears to be enough actual housing units on the Island, yet many remain vacant for one reason or another and a key reason is because their selling price is too high for most of those who are without their own property.

The issue of cruise ships and mega cruise ships coming to Bermuda was another issue, as were the views of young Bermudians.

Mentioning a study of the views of young Bermudians that has been included in the document, Mr. Butterfield said it had been ?an eye-opener?. He added: ?We really need to start listening to them. And I would hope to see more young people involved in the Round Table.?

Holding a copy of the executive summary, he said: ?This is not my plan, it?s not the Government?s plan. Bermuda needs to embrace this plan. If you do not think it?s good then tell us. If we have missed something then tell us.?