Environmental Policy for North Lincolnshire Council:
1. The work of North Lincolnshire Council has a major effect on the local environment. It is responsible for delivering many services and is also a major employer. It is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its activities on the local environment on the basis that good environmental quality benefits everyone and contributes to sustainable development. North Lincolnshire Council will contribute fully to the climate change policy through our commitment to the Nottingham Declaration on climate change as agreed by the Leader and the Chief Executive (March 2003). This commitment arises not only from an awareness of potential threats to the environment, but also forms a desire to improve the quality of life for all sections of the local community. North Lincolnshire Council also aims to influence others to do likewise.
2. The Council aims to improve the environmental quality of the area by:
i. minimising any adverse environmental impacts resulting from its own activities;
ii. encouraging others in the community to do likewise;
The council will keep its own activities under review, setting objectives, targets and responsibilities to ensure the aims of this policy are met.
3. North Lincolnshire Council's commitments are:
i. minimise energy and water use within its own buildings, plant and equipment and promote responsible energy management throughout its area;
ii. promote sound waste management practice by minimising its own waste production through reducing material consumed, re-using and recycling materials where possible;
iii. purchase products and services which do the least damage to the environment wherever possible;
iv. work with others to protect and enhance the diversity of the natural environment while encouraging community awareness and participation;
v. protect and enhance the built environment through planning policies that safeguard historic buildings and ancient monuments, promote energy efficiency in new buildings and development that reflects the character of the local area;
vi. to promote a more sustainable transport system which integrates land use and all forms of travel to minimise environmental impact and reduces the need to travel particularly by private car;
vii. minimise and monitor air, water, noise and land pollution, accepting the principle that the polluter should pay;
viii. raise awareness and encourage participation in environmental issues throughout the whole community;
ix. work with others in the local community to encourage good environmental practices;
x. demonstrating a proactive approach to reducing carbon emissions by promoting energy efficiency and a sustainable energy future for North Lincolnshire and its communities and leading by example to reduce and compensate for the council's own carbon emissions resulting from our vehicle use, building and waste disposal in correspondence with or beyond national carbon emission reducing targets.
4. In order to achieve the above commitments, North Lincolnshire Council will:
i. operate an environmental management system which will enable the council to set objectives and targets, monitor performance and make this information publicily available;
ii. raise awareness amongst staff of the council's environmental policies and objectives;
iii. provide information and encorage an open dialogue with the local community on environmental issues through the Local Agenda 21 process;
iv. work with and encourage council contractors and suppliers to set environmental standards similar to those of the council;
v. ensure the council's compliance with all relevant environmental legislation;
vi. enforce regulations and give advice to local industry and businesses;
vii. encourage and support, wherever possible, the sustainable use of local materials and expertise.
Further information can be obtained from:
Kay Perry
Environment Team
North Lincolnshire Council
Church Square House
Scunthorpe
Telephone: 01724 297028
e-mail: kay.perry@northlince.gov.uk