Over the last decade or so the link between the environment and health has become increasingly important within the broader development agenda. Environmental issues have received more prominence in public health actions and health has received greater focus from the environmental improvement and sustainable development agencies. Local sustainability issues provide a common theme for two of the articles in this month's journal.

On page 154, we focus on four of the outstanding projects entered into this year's National Grid Community 21 Awards. The winners include an imaginative sustainable cycleways project, based around the construction of maintenance-free cycle paths from a product created from recycled plastic and tyres. The other projects focus on improving the health of local communities by education on sustainable living and healthy eating. Meanwhile, on page 144, Jane Forshaw reports on an innovative concept which could help local authorities maximise recycling at a local level and encourage private enterprise to create a wealth-generating market for recyclable material.

The current foot and mouth outbreak is raising all manner of questions and concerns among EHOs over the possible contamination of private water supplies and land from the mass burning of animal carcasses across the country. On page 138, Roger Braithwaite offers some practical advice to those officers who have been given the task of producing contaminated land strategies, and describes some of the pitfalls that await local government as it attempts to pick its way through the minefield of complex legislation.

On a different note, we look at the opinions of two very different independent EHOs regarding local authority enforcement standards and the practice of engaging private consultants to assist in meeting inspection targets. On page 158, Julian Wells offers a step-by-step guide on how to select the most appropriate food inspection contractor, while Martin Tagg, on page 160, takes a stark look at enforcement standards from an "outsider's" point of view.

Tracey Khanna, Editor