Environment Policy

(A pdf version of this policy is avaiulable for download here)

1. Introduction

CTC has produced this Policy in order to acknowledge the important issue of climate change. This Policy builds on the Environmental Statement produced in November 2019 which outlines what CTC already does to mitigate its impact on the environment. The Policy helps CTC clarify position, promote action, and secure positive outcomes on key environmental issues

2. Aim of Statement

CTC has declared a Climate Emergency. The aims of the CTC Environmental Policy are:

  • To increase environmental growth across CTC responsibilities and assets for the benefit of the local community.
  • To promote the importance and value of a quality environment, and to support local people in their enjoyment of it.
  • To carry out its work in an efficient way that minimises or eliminates its adverse impact on our environment.
  • To promote the development of a Circular Economy

3. List of Policies

i. CLIMATE CHANGE

CTC has declared a climate emergency and pledges to be fully carbon neutral by 2030. It has set out plans for immediate and long-term actions to reach this goal which include:

  • Encourage staff switch off electrical equipment and unnecessary lights when not inuse
  • Encourage staff to close windows and external doors when heating is on
  • Encourage staff to minimise the use of electric heaters and fans
  • Introduce phased replacement of LED bulbs in Council premises
  • Introduce phased replacement of electrical equipment used on Council premises with products of maximum energy efficiency rating
  • Switch to 100% renewable energy tariffs for electricity on Council premises.
  • No non-renewable heating sources (oil, gas fired systems)
  • Invest in electric car charging points
  • Retrofit buildings with energy saving measures (glazing, roof insulation)
  • Introduce natural climate change solutions (such as tree planting and rewilding) on Council assets
  • Undertake an audit in 2021 of current Council emissions
  • Agree measures to track the Council’s carbon footprint over time following this audit

ii. NATURE & WILDLIFE

CTC is committed to increasing opportunities for nature to thrive on the assets it owns or manages. Environmental growth will be achieved by:

  • Protecting and enhancing the quality and extent of the natural environment in Camelford. CTC will create new hedgerows at the Cemetery and in Enfield Park. As part of phase 3 of the OCM regeneration CTC will be designing and fundraising for the installation of community gardens.
  • Ensuring that any planting in beds, borders and planters is pollinator friendly.
  • Supporting the conservation of trees, hedgerows, ponds, streams and coastal habitats. CTC policy is to plant 3 for 1 if a tree is removed. Species planted are native broad leaf. Its intention is to increase tree cover on land that it owns. CTC Councillors and MGM are tree wardens and attend regular training and conferences.
  • Managing Council assets (including public rights of way and verges) in a manner that protects and increases biodiversity

Churchfield Car park

  • CTC has replaced its streetlamps with LED downlighters to lessen light pollution in this ‘Dark Sky’ buffer zone.
  • Maintenance team do not hard trim the Cornish walls until October in order to allow birds and pollinators access to wildflowers and seeds.
  • 2 electric car rechargers are available in the car park. CTC will increase the number of rechargers provided as usage increases. CTC is aware that many town centre properties do not have access to off-street parking and therefore the opportunity to have an electric car.

Cemetery

  • CTC has planted an Orchard, and a wide variety of native trees. The new cemetery layout design includes many new trees and a green burial section.
  • CTC works in partnership with local beekeepers to facilitate hive on our land where appropriate – 3 active beehives currently

Enfield Park

  • Park split into 2 sections. Half manicured lawn/play area, half natural. Natural area maintenance and planting program to be revisited as part of the environmental growthproject.
  • Pond maintenance once per year. Trees and brambles left around one section Nof the pond to retain natural environment; fallen trees left in this area to create bug hotels, public paths cleared to max 1m either side. Marsh area planted with appropriate wildflowers. Meadow area mown in paths to lessen impact from dogs.

Library

  • Installed secondary glazing, changed toilet cistern to a low-rise flush. Continuing to upgrade fixtures and fittings. Main strip lighting changed to LED, installing modern storage heaters for efficiency.
  • Introducing environmental growth opportunities and activities, as appropriate, on Council assets. CTC is engaging with Cornwall Council and will be an active participant in the Environmental Growth for Town and Parish Councils Pilot Project. It actively manages its green spaces with a view to mitigate adverse public impact on wildlife and increasing biodiversity.
  • Banning the release of balloon/sky lantern from Council land and events

iii. PESTICIDE/HERBICIDE USE

  • CTC is committed to phasing out the use of pesticides on assets we own or manage (with the exception of use for the control of Schedule 9 plants under the Wildlife andCountryside Act 1981, such as Japanese Knotweed, or where it is used to reduce material risks to asset integrity).
  • CTC has reduced its use of pesticides to minimum usage – i.e once a year. It is looking into alternatives via Cormac and other contractors. MGM has been on a course to learn about alternatives – capital input in equipment is currently prohibitive to CTC.
  • CTC’s formal garden areas are weeded by hand.

3iv. SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL

CTC will:

  • Promote and support modern working practices, such as remote working, amongst staff and councillors
  • Encourage members and officers to car-share, where possible, when a car journey must be made on Council business
  • Promote and support the use of cycling, public footpaths, electric vehicles and public transport
  • Ensure all Council vehicles are serviced and maintained to a high standard
  • The use of electric powered vehicles will be pursued where this is a workablealternative

v. AIR QUALITY

Air pollution levels are higher in Camelford than they should be. Cornwall Council have introduced an air quality action plan. Camelford is in an Air Quality Management Area. CTC continues to lobby CC to manage pollution levels and keep pressure on the bypass business case.

vi. WATER MANAGEMENT

CTC is committed to responsible water management and conservation throughout its operations, which include:

  • Encouraging staff, allotment holders and hirers to use water efficiently on Council premises
  • Where possible, utilising water butts as a non-drinking water source.CTC has installed a rainwater harvesting system for flushing Enfield park public toilets
  • Ensuring staff and users are aware of which materials can be disposed of in waste water
  • Promoting and supporting natural solutions to reduce/reuse surface water run-off in Camelford

vii. WASTE & RECYCLING

CTC will:

  • Keep waste to a minimum by preventing, reusing, recycling or recovering waste
  • Ensure waste is sorted, stored and disposed of appropriately
  • Promote and encourage recycling across Camelford
  • Reduce the production of non-recyclable resources such as laminated or plasticbased publicity material
  • Minimise the amount of printing and minimise the amount of waste paper
  • Observe our duty of care conscientiously within our waste contracts
  • Utilise electronic communications; councillors to use an opt-in scheme for printingpaper documents
  • Minimise pollution and prevent where possible (including light, noise, solids, liquidsand chemicals)
  • Use composting facilities at relevant operated amenities including allotments andcemeteries. CTC will be installing a compost toilet at the cemetery
  • Recycle all recyclable waste generated at Council premises and eventsCTC has installed bottle and cardboard recycling points in Enfield Park and at OCM Skatepark
  • CTC offers battery and toothpaste/toothbrush recycling points in the library
  • Use recyclable, compostable and/or recycled products on Council premises
  • CTC has Ceased use of single-use plastics on Council premises and events
  • CTC has installed a free refill water point at the public toilets

viii. DEVELOPMENT

CTC will:

  • Support planning applications where the applicant can demonstrate biodiversity net gain
  • CTC has completed a Neighbourhood Development Plan

ix. RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT

CTC will:

  • Source materials and services locally so long as the requirements for value for money and quality are met
  • Ensure that catering produce, including tea/coffee in offices, is sourced from local, organic, fair trade (or other recognised certification schemes) where possible
  • Ensure that timber, or similar products, used by the Council will be from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified sources where possible
  • Ensure that consumables used on Council premises (such as cleaning products and inks) are eco-friendly
  • Ensure that procurement of goods and services are weighted appropriately to encourage local suppliers thereby promoting the Circular Economy

x. AWARENESS, LOBBYING & PARTNERSHIPS

CTC will:

  • Promote awareness of, and information about, environmental issues within the community
  • Support, and act as a voice for, local environmental concerns within the community
  • Ensure that all individuals involved in the organisation (including contractors) are aware of their responsibilities in implementing this environmental policy
  • Work with partners, where appropriate, to increase environmental growth within Camelford

xi. ENERGY USE

CTC will:

  • Undertake an audit of its existing energy use
  • Produce a plan on how the Council’s energy use can be reduced
  • Procure energy from sustainable sources. As electricity contracts come up for renewal, CTC will sign up for 100% renewable energy tariffs. It changed the Librarytariff in July 2019.
  • Maximise use of wind and solar energy on its premises
  • Promote use of renewable energy in Camelford

xii. CIRCULAR ECONOMY

CTC will:

  • Undertake an audit of the materials and services used by the Council
  • Develop policies that encourage the development of a Circular Economy in Camelford
  • Promote and encourage the use of local suppliers in procurement policies

4. Policies

As CTC policies and procedures come up for review, it will take an environmentally positive stance towards wording, intentions and enforcement. It has already updated its investment strategy to note that its reserves will be invested wisely in sustainable activities

5. Review

This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis