P3- Environmental Policy
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Adopted by Council 24th June 2019.
Newmarket Town Council recognise its operations have some impact on the environment in a number
of ways and is committed to identifying, monitoring and reducing such impacts. In addition, its duties enable it to protect and at times enhance the local environment both directly and by influencing others. The Council will make best use of its position and powers to do this.
The Council acknowledges its duty to consider the conservation of biodiversity when carrying out its functions under the provisions of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, s40.
This Policy will support the aims of the Council’s Corporate Strategy “All out for a better Newmarket”. “Protecting and enhancing the town’s environment” is one of its 5 key priorities. It will also be linked to other Council policies including Equality; Community & Social; Quality; Treasury Management (Investment) and Procurement, which will ensure environmental considerations are central to the ethos of the organisation.
The Council will embrace the concept of sustainability and acknowledge the need to reconcile environmental, social and economic demands.
The Council will undertake periodic audits to ensure up to date assessments of environmental impacts are maintained and the progress of action plans are monitored. As part of this it will measure the Organisation’s carbon footprint and take the necessary actions to reduce it.
The Council will ensure that Councillors and employees receive training to enable them to understand and control the environmental effects of their work.
The Council will comply with all relevant legislation and where possible set standards which are more stringent than the legal minimum.
The Council will require where appropriate, its suppliers to provide environmental assessments of their environmental impacts and life cycle analysis of major products.
The Council will have regard for both the natural and built environments and will strive to protect and where possible enhance them.
The Council is not a large energy user but will take any opportunity to manage energy with a view to minimising its consumption.
The Council will ensure its operations minimise pollution of land, water and air.
The Council will seek to minimise waste, re-use or recycle where possible and ensure disposal has the minimum environmental impact.
The Council will direct its efforts to make the Town sustainable, through like-minded community groups and will investigate the “transition town” approach.
Next revision June 2021