Policy
Environment
1. Introduction
1.1 Lyme Regis Town Council recognises that it has a responsibility to the environment beyond legal and regulatory requirements. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and continually improving our environmental performance as an integral part of our strategy and operating methods, with annual reviews. We will encourage and influence the public, suppliers and stakeholders to do the same. This policy will specifically refer to, but is not limited to; paper, energy, water, transport, maintenance, cleaning, culture and monitoring.
2. Responsibility
2.1 The town clerk has overall responsibility for ensuring that the environmental policy is implemented and delegates day to day management of the policy to the operations manager. However, all councillors and employees have a responsibility to ensure that the aims and purpose of the policy are met.
3. Aims
3.1 The council declared a climate and environmental emergency in 2019 with ambitions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2030.
3.2 Comply with, and exceed where possible, all regulatory requirements following government guidance and in concert with the principal authority.
3.3 Undergo accreditation as a Carbon Literate Organisation
3.4 Continually improve and monitor environmental performance.
3.5 Continually improve and reduce environmental impacts.
3.6 Incorporate environmental factors into council decision making by undertaking environmental impact assessments.
3.7 Increase employee awareness and training and have all staff Carbon Literacy accredited within their first six months of employment.
4. Pollution
4.1 Identifying, adopting and promoting technologies to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, within council properties and the wider community.
4.2 Minimising and, where possible, eliminating the release of any pollutant which may cause damage to health and the environment.
5. Paper and office supplies
5.1 We will minimise the use of paper in the office.
5.2 We will reuse and recycle all paper.
5.3 We will favour more environmentally friendly and efficient products.
5.4 We will reuse and recycle everything we are able to.
6. Energy and Water
6.1 We will reduce the amount of energy and water used as much as possible and use renewable energy providers.
6.2 We will introduce solar panels on council buildings as they are refurbished.
7. Transport
7.1 We will reduce the need to travel.
7.2 We will promote the use of travel alternatives such as email and phone conferencing.
7.3 We will accommodate the needs of those staff using public transport or bicycles.
7.4 We will favour ‘green’ vehicles where possible when considering replacements and consider installing electric charging points for our vehicles and in our car parks.
8. Cleaning, maintenance and waste
8.1 Cleaning materials used will be as environmentally friendly as possible.
8.2 We will favour ‘green’ machinery where possible when considering replacements.
8.3 We will manage unavoidable waste and use licensed and appropriate organisations to dispose of waste.
8.4 Minimising waste by the best practicable environmental option by eliminating, reducing, reusing, composting and recycling.
9. Gardening
9.1 We will garden organically and limit the use of chemicals to the essential where organic gardening is not time or cost effective. Glyphosate products will only be used to tackle invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed and mares tail.
9.2 We will favour ‘green’ machinery where possible when considering replacements.
10. Natural and Built Environment
10.1 Protecting, conserving and enhancing the environment including landscape character, habitats and heritage.
10.2 Promoting bio-diversity and local distinctiveness and the conservation of both renewable and non-renewable resources.
11. Culture
11.1 We will involve staff in the implementation of this policy, for greater commitment and improved performance.
11.2 We will provide staff with relevant environmental training, including Carbon Literacy accreditation.
11.3 We will work with the public, suppliers and contractors to improve their environmental performance.
11.4 We will use local labour and materials where available to reduce CO2 and help the community.
12. Monitoring and review
12.1 We will continually improve and monitor environmental performance by conducting annual environmental audits and by monitoring key performance indicators. The audit will feed into the council’s annual corporate report and the council’s strategic five year plan.
12.2 We will review this policy at least annually.
Implementation date: October 2023
Review date: October 2024
John Wright
Town clerk