It was agreed to support the 10:10 Carbon Reduction Campaign and to prioritise specific projects from the Nottingham Declaration Action Plan which apply to both, at a meeting of Cabinet on 2nd March.
Cllr Geoff Churchard, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability added: "We have prioritised the Nottingham Declaration Action Plan to ensure that the 76 actions are delivered in a planned and systematic way over the next few years."
These projects include:-
Installing renewable energy systems such as solar technology on Council owned buildings. Solar photovoltaics panels have been installed on the roof of the District Council Offices. Solar hot water panels have been installed in 18 social housing properties and the Council Eco-Home.
Seeking ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce the CO2 emissions from Council facilities. Energy efficiency lighting, voltage optimisation and solar panels have been installed in the District Council Offices. The lighting in Harpenden’s Leisure Centre has been upgraded. Four energy efficient boilers have been installed in the District Council Offices. Assessments will be made of other Council buildings.
Implementing the Green Travel Plan. St Albans City and District Council is an active member of Network St Albans* and they are promoting initiatives to bring about season tickets for all bus networks, and the Council is currently providing interest free loans for rail season tickets.
The Council provides loans for staff to purchase bicycles and hopes to improve this further by providing a means for staff to buy these at a reduced rate through a tax exemption scheme. There is a also a “borrow a bike” scheme for short, work related journeys, with plans to add electrically assisted bikes in Spring.
The Council is exploring the purchase of Pool cars and electric or hybrid vehicles as part of a car club scheme or for staff to use for business trips. A car sharing database was launched on: www.stalbanstravel.com.
The Council is looking at ways to encourage the use of low emission vehicles as part of the car lease scheme.
A sustainable procurement strategy will be implemented, which will improve procurement decisions and yield direct economic and social benefits to the Council and community over the longer term, as well as reducing environmental impacts.
Improve office based recycling facilities for staff and members. The aim is to increase the rate of office based recycling to a minimum of 75 percent. Following the waste audit, a new recycling scheme is now being prepared. Currently only paper is recycled and the scheme will include cardboard, plastic and cans. Cardboard cups as replacements for plastic cups are being trialled in the public committee meeting rooms.
In addition all IT equipment, ink cartridges and mobile phones are being recycled.
The Local Strategic Partnership** and its SAVE Project Group provides the ideal means of promoting the 10:10 campaign to the Council’s partners and the Council will also seek the support of residents and businesses as well, via its Environment Forum and the Transition Towns Group.
Member contact:
Cllr Geoff Churchard, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability
St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 868086
Contact for the press:
Davina Mansell, Information and Communication officer
Tel: 01727 819316 E-mail: davina.mansell@stalbans.gov.uk
St Albans City and District Council
www.stalbans.gov.uk
Notes:
* Network St Albans
Known as Network St Albans, the partnership is the first of its kind and has been formed as a result of the Transport Act 2008 which offers new opportunities for local authorities to work with transport operators through the creation of 'Quality Network Partnerships'.
The partners involved are:
• Hertfordshire County Council (which includes the Passenger Transport Unit and Hertfordshire Highways)
• St Albans City and District Council
• First Capital Connect
• London Midland
• Arriva the Shires and Essex
• Centrebus Limited
• Metroline Travel Limited
• Universitybus Limited and Uno Buses Limited
• University of Hertfordshire
See the website for further information: http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/press-room/items/2009/April-2009/NetworkStAlbanslaunched.aspx#0
** St Albans and District Local Strategic Partnership (LSP)
The LSP is an organisation made up of representatives from public, private, voluntary and community sectors. It is not exclusively made up of either the District Council, the Chamber of Commerce, the NHS or the County Council, but is a unique partnership between these organisations and others established to work towards a more prosperous and pleasant community in this part of Hertfordshire.
The shape and the direction of the St Albans and District LSP has been shaped by contributions from the public, and the partnership’s task is to deliver and implement the Sustainable Community Strategy improving the quality of life in the district, and making it a better place to live, learn, work and visit.
The 10:10 Campaign.
The 10:10 Campaign is a national initiative which has been set up to encourage businesses, organisations and individuals to pledge to reduce their emissions of CO2 by 10% in 2010. The idea behind the campaign is that by working together we can achieve a 10% cut in the UK’s carbon emissions in 2010. This is in line with what scientists say we need to achieve over the next 18 months in order to keep future temperature rises to below 2oC and prevent the climate reaching a tipping point. For further information see the website: http://www.1010uk.org/