Meeting documents

The Executive
Tuesday, 19 April 2005

EX190405-10

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Division(s): N/A

ITEM EX10

EXECUTIVE – 19 APRIL 2005

CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Report by Director of Environment & Economy

 

Introduction

  1. At its meeting on 7 December 2004, the Executive agreed the establishment of a high level environment group to address the findings of the scrutiny review of Corporate Environmental Policy and the Audit Commission’s Report on Sustainable Development, both published in 2004. The Executive asked the new group to:

    2. - submit to it a renewed environmental policy and strategy in Spring 2005;

    - report annually on progress on the Council’s environmental performance; and

    - make recommendations for improvements.

    Future First Environment Action Plan

  2. A high level group, now renamed the Future First Programme Board, has been formed with councillor representatives and high-level representation from all directorates. The Board’s first task has been to develop the Future First Environment Action Plan, which is directed at reducing the Council’s own environmental footprint, to take effect from April 2005. This is provided at Annex 1 (download as .doc file). All directorates have contributed to development of the plan, which in the first year will be implemented through service led initiatives within the framework of the Council’s existing environmental policy. It is proposed to renew the Council’s policy and strategies on the basis of a more comprehensive evidence base developed during the year.

    (Future First Environment Action Plan 2005-2006 - Tables to R17 - download as .xls file)

    3. Finance and Staff Implications

  3. The Future First project is supported by a Future First Project Team based in the Strategic Policy and Economic Development Unit in Environment & Economy. It is estimated that a full-time member of staff will be needed to manage the project. The post will be staffed within the unit and is expected to be cost neutral. The project management and promotional costs of the Future First Project will be met within existing resources within Environment & Economy. Where there are costs associated with projects outlined in the summary action plan, these are covered within existing budgets and work plans for whichever Directorate has lead responsibility for the project. The business case for use of Prudential Funding for energy conservation and maintenance projects referred to in paragraph 1.1 b) of the action plan is covered elsewhere on the agenda for this meeting of the Executive. If approval is granted, projects will commence during 2005-6.

    4. RECOMMENDATION

  4. The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

          1. approve the Future First Action plan 2005-2006 provided in Annex 1 (download as .doc file) to the report; and

          2. request the Future First Programme Board to bring to the Executive:

            1. an annual report in September/October with complete figures for the previous financial year, identifying issues for future action;

            2. an annual workplan in March/April for the coming year, with the first report in March/April 2006.

RICHARD DUDDING
Director for Environment & Economy

Background papers: Nil

Contact officer: Susie Ohlenschlager, Tel (01865) 810148

March 2005

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