Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1.       The proposed ‘Smarter Working for the Environment’ Policy Statement, as set out in Annex 1 of the submitted report and the associated Action Plan, as set out in Annex 2 of the submitted report, be approved.

2.       That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director for Environment and Infrastructure, in consultation with Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, to authorise minor future revisions to the policy and action plan.

Reasons for Decisions:

Implementing the policy and associated action plan will:

o      Provide a basis for engagement with our suppliers when seeking their support for our objectives and maximising value from our contracts

o      Increase value for money by being joined up in our decision making

o      Provide support to external funding bids by publishing the council’s overall commitment to environmental sustainability

o      Support a ‘one team’ approach for improved outcomes in relation to corporate priorities for the economy and resident wellbeing.

Delegating authority for minor revisions, to the Strategic Director for Environment and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, will allow the Council’s approach and commitments to be kept up to date; incorporating continuous improvement internally, reflecting changes in the national policy context and if necessary, to prioritise activities in response to resource constraints.

[The decision on this item may be called in by the Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Scrutiny Board]

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning reminded Cabinet that, in December 2015 a motion was carried by the full Council to support action in reducing the Council’s emissions and building resilience to a changing climate.  In February 2016, the Council signed up to the Local Government Association’s Climate Local Initiative, which included a commitment to produce an action plan outlining the County Council’s approach. Both the action plan and an environment policy statement and action plan had now been developed and were attached as Annexes to the submitted report.

He said that the Environment Policy Statement set out the context in which the County Council would work with its stakeholders to manage the Council’s environmental responsibilities and demonstrate its leadership.

RESOLVED:

1.       The proposed ‘Smarter Working for the Environment’ Policy Statement, as set out in Annex 1 of the submitted report and the associated Action Plan, as set out in Annex 2 of the submitted report, be approved.

2.       That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director for Environment and Infrastructure, in consultation with Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, to authorise minor future revisions to the policy and action plan.

Reasons for Decisions:

Implementing the policy and associated action plan will:

o      Provide a basis for engagement with our suppliers when seeking their support for our objectives and maximising value from our contracts

o      Increase value for money by being joined up in our decision making

o      Provide support to external funding bids by publishing the council’s overall commitment to environmental sustainability

o      Support a ‘one team’ approach for improved outcomes in relation to corporate priorities for the economy and resident wellbeing.

Delegating authority for minor revisions, to the Strategic Director for Environment and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, would allow the Council’s approach and commitments to be kept up to date; incorporating continuous improvement internally, reflecting changes in the national policy context and if necessary, to prioritise activities in response to resource constraints.