Version Number – V2 21.04.11
The Council recognises its operations impact on the environment in a number of ways and is committed to identifying, monitoring and reducing such impacts associated with its operations.
In addition, its duties enable it to protect and at times enhance the local environment both directly and by influencing others. The Council will make best use of its position and powers to do this.
This Policy will support the aims of the Council’s Corporate Strategy and be linked to other Council policies including Quality; Equality; Community & Social; Investment and Procurement, which will ensure environmental considerations are central to the ethos of the organisation.
The Council will embrace the concept of sustainability and acknowledge the need to reconcile environmental, social and economic demands.
The Council will undertake periodic audits to ensure up to date assessments of environmental impacts are maintained and the progress of action plans are monitored. It will regularly measure the Organisation’s carbon footprint and take the necessary actions to reduce it. It will appoint a lead councillor for implementation of the Environmental Policy and will ensure that Councillors and employees receive training to enable them to understand and control the environmental effects of their work.
The Council will comply with all relevant legislation and where possible set standards which are more stringent.
The Council will require where appropriate its suppliers to provide environmental assessments of their environmental impacts and life cycle analysis of major products.
The Council will have regard for both the natural and built environments and will strive to protect and where possible enhance them.
The Council will manage energy with a view to minimising its consumption.
The Council will ensure its operations minimise pollution of land, water and air.
The Council will seek to minimise waste, re-use or recycle where possible and ensure disposal has the minimum environmental impact.
The Council will direct its efforts to make the Town sustainable, through the Congleton Transition Town framework and the work of the Congleton Sustainability Group.
