Thame Town Council’s Environmental policy adopted!

FOLLOWING its decision not to support declaring a Climate Emergency back in June this year, as promised Thame Town Council has now adopted an Environmental Policy which, it has stated, ‘applies to all aspects of the work of Thame Town Council’.

Image courtesy of Patrick Internet

The policy goes on to state: “Thame Town Council will use its available powers and resources to protect and enhance the well-being of local people and all that comprises the natural and built world (our environment). Accordingly we will at all times seek maximum sustainability in all our dealings affecting the environment.”

On ‘Decision-making’ the policy states that the council will: “Ensure all Thame Town Council decisions take into account environmental impact and wellbeing.”

The council’s Policy and Resources committee, at its meeting on Tuesday (12/11), voted unanimously for the policy’s adoption, with minor amendments of clarification, but agreed not to include a suggested amendment to the policy to include a review of the council’s Investment strategy ‘to consider moving to investments that support ‘green technologies’ that are likely to be needed to mitigate against climate change…and to act upon that advise’.

However, it was agreed that the council will look separately at its current Investment strategy at a later date.

Cllr Sonja Francis, who originally put forward the lost motion to the council to declare a Climate Emergency, said: “Although I was very disappointed that the town council did not see fit to declare a Climate Emergency back in June, I am delighted that the town council has now produced this far reaching policy and look forward to its swift implementation. I should like to pay tribute to Cllr Helena Fickling who put in much of the work to produce an Environmental Policy that the whole committee could get behind. We all have the interests of the town at heart, and through working together, we have produced a policy that I hope, along with the Green Living Plan, show the town that the council is serious about tackling the challenges of climate change.

“I accept that asking for ‘a policy about a policy’ to include my amendment about ‘greener investments’ would be more appropriately dealt with separately, and I look forward to a robust discussion with fellow councillors and seeking professional advise on the benefits or otherwise for Thame council tax payers.”

The complete Environmental Policy reads:

1.Background/ Principles

1.1. This environmental policy applies to all aspects of the work of Thame Town Council.

1.2 .Thame Town Council will use its available powers and resources to protect and enhance the well-being of local people and all that comprises the natural and built world (our environment). Accordingly we will at all times seek maximum sustainability in all our dealings affecting the environment.

1.3. Environmental wellbeing will be considered with all other factors such as social wellbeing, public safety, prevention of crime and disorder, equality provision etc. in all that the Town Council does.

2. Commitments

Thame Town Council commits to:

2.1. Green Living Plan–Adopt a Green Living Plan for Thame (GLP)and implement it in a time frame appropriate to the challenges faced, including the review and continued development of the GLP on an ongoing basis, as required by the existing Thame Neighbourhood Plan

2.2. Decision-making –Ensure all Thame Town Council decisions take into account environmental impact and wellbeing.

2.3. Procurement–Ensure that all procurement decisions contain weightings for sustainability, consider embodied energy, eventual disposal by recycling and avoid (or, where impracticable, seek to reduce) use of any unsustainable materials.

2.4. Development / Planning–Take such action as is within our power and resources to support and encourage sustainability in all forms of development and in our planning recommendations, where appropriate seek environmental assurances beyond the requirements of relevant legislation.  Town Council will expect TNP2 to have higher building standards than the existing.

2.5. Council estate and facilities–Manage our land and activities using environmentally-friendly practices that promote biodiversity and enhance habitats, in line with already documented policies and procedures.

2.6. Energy generally –Minimise energy use in all activities and buildings. Maximise the use of renewable energy and minimise waste, pollution and use of fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources. Equally sub-contractors must comply.

2.7. Climate Change, Pollution and carbon neutrality: Work with other relevant Thame based organisations, and particularly Thame Green Living and the GLP to encourage ‘Carbon Neutrality’ and reduce pollution in the air, water, the ground and from other sources within the Thame/ Moreton area by no later than such date as may be determined by the government or otherwise be practicable locally.

2.8. Biodiversity  Gain is the aim!

2.9. Awareness and information–Work in conjunction with relevant partners to inform, encourage and promote environmental information across the Council and community. To train Officers and contractors to respond appropriately to feedback and utilise the process as an aid to progress and an evolving consensus.

2.10. Monitoring and reviewing–Establish and implement suitable practices and checks to monitor compliance with these objectives/ commitments and improve our environmental performance.

2.11. Resources–Make available reasonable budget and staffing resources to facilitate local environmental initiatives and support relevant volunteer community groups and local organisations furthering those initiatives.

2.12. Other authorities–Promote Thame’s environmental awareness and initiatives with the district and county councils, nearby parish councils and other official and unofficial bodies. Share best practice with (and learn from) other Town and Parish Councils and relevant national bodies. Plus follow any specific guidance issued by Central Government for Town and Parish Councils, following Central Government’s declaration of a Climate Emergency.