Environmental Policy
Rochford District Council is committed to minimising the
environmental impacts of the organisation and to the improvement of
the local, national and global environment in whatever way it can
within resource limits.
1. As a large organisation and employer, the Council aims
to do this by:
meeting, and where possible exceeding, the requirements of all
applicable legislation and regulations;
- taking account of environmental factors in all council
decisions;
- eliminating unnecessary use of energy and other natural
resources through water and energy saving measures and by
investigating alternative sources of energy;
- encouraging staff and elected members to minimise their use of
cars for travel to work and support any means which will reduce the
need for travel, or encourage greater use of public transport, car
sharing, cycling and walking as alternative means of travel;
- purchasing goods and materials which can be manufactured, used
and disposed of in an environmentally sustainable way;
- where possible, purchasing goods and services locally in order
to minimise the environmental impact of transportation and support
the local economy;
- minimising the amount of waste produced and promoting better
recycling of waste materials from its activities;
- providing staff with regular environmental awareness
training;
- working with contractors and suppliers to help improve their
environmental performance and doing all we can to ensure that they
apply environmental standards at least as high as our own;
- ensuring this policy is widely communicated to all staff,
elected councillors, contractors and suppliers;
2. As a regulator, provider of services, and a key player in the
district community, the Council can aim to implement this policy
by:
enforcing regulations and legislation in as effective and fair
way as possible in the interests of the environment and the quality
of life of people in the district;
- continuously monitoring the environmental impact of its
services (including energy, water, transport, impacts, and natural
resources) to help find ways of improving service delivery;
- considering the environmental impact of all new policies and
services;
- encouraging road safety and a reduction in petrol consumption
and vehicle emissions through appropriate council policy;
- encouraging residents of the district to consider car sharing,
cycling, walking and using public transport for journeys as the
best environmental options and through working with others, secure
improved facilities for these forms of transport;
- monitoring, within available resources, the quality of the
environment of the district in terms of water, noise and air
pollution, traffic congestion, health and safety, and cleanliness.
We will, through continuous improvement seek to ensure that the
highest possible standards are achieved;
- protecting the built and natural environment by enforcing
appropriate regulations consistently, ensuring the highest possible
standards of design and encouraging others to care for their own
environment;
- whilst promoting tourism within the district, ensuring that any
environmental impacts on our historic towns and villages are
minimised;
- looking for opportunities to maintain and improve existing and
create new wildlife habitats;
- encouraging sound environmental practice in the local economy
by welcoming 'green' businesses into the district and supporting
established businesses to adopt good eco-management practices in
the interests of their business and the local environment;
- raising awareness about environmental issues and encouraging
good practice;
- actively promoting the principals of Local Agenda 21 throughout
the district;
- ensuring, in conjunction with the County Councils Emergency
Planning Team, that appropriate contingency procedures are in place
in the event of environmental accidents or emergencies.