A report by the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management sought approval for the revision of the existing Corporate Environmental Policy which was adopted in January 2002. 

The Environmental Policy was a statement of the Council’s environmental commitment and a key document within the Environmental Management System (EMS).  Two separate systems within the Council were currently being integrated into one corporate system. The scope would then be increased to include further service areas and operations throughout the Council that had a significant potential environmental impact.

The EMS helped towards achieving our Corporate Objective of creating a clean, pleasant, safe and sustainable environment and assisted in driving the Corporate Priority to reduce the Council’s carbon footprint.  It also supported the Council’s Carbon Budget process through the identification, monitoring and management of the environmental impacts of operations and service delivery.

Risks of non-compliance with environmental legislation and possible financial penalties would be reduced by an effective, ISO 14001 compliant EMS.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)  the proposed revisions to the Council’s Environmental Policy be approved ; and

(2)  the Council reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of an ISO14001 certified Environmental Management System across the authority.