Decision details

Background

KCC is the lead partner in delivering the Kent Environment Strategy and has had a publicly available Environment Policy since approximately 2005. Since April 2009, all KCC services have been certified to the International Standard for Environmental Management ISO14001, which requires the organisation to approve and publish its commitment to prevent pollution and continually improve its environmental performance in the form of an Environment Policy.  A decision is required to confirm that the commitment statements in the revised draft are appropriate and that resources will be directed to achieve it.

Options

a)    Retain existing policy, which was last revised and published in 2012

b)    Approve a revised policy, which reflects the current Kent Environment Strategy and organisational priorities.

How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’

The policy is directly linked to the Kent Environment Strategy and key strategy for KCC and its Kent partners. The policy commitments reflect the need to achieve resource efficiencies from utilities, waste and transport, which will deliver organisational cost savings. In addition, commitment to increasing resilience will ensure Kent communities benefit from reduced service disruption and be supported more effectively during severe weather events.

Financial implications

This directly supports Council budget savings. There are no additional financial implications beyond existing efficiency programmes and resources. Existing programmes being: LED street lighting strategy, Infrastructure targets to reduce the costs of energy, water and waste and use existing Mobilisation of Assets budget or utilise the 0% Salix invest-to-save-loan funds.  All services are expected to achieve costs savings from business travel/transport and existing transformation activity/fleet refresh is largely delivering this.

Legal implications

Meeting ISO14001 assures processes are in place to deliver compliance with environmental legislation, reducing the risk of fines and negative PR due to non-compliance.

Equalities implications

In committing to increased organisational resource efficiencies, KCC will be able to direct its funds to support vulnerable people, ie elderly/disabled/disadvantaged children. Resilience activity similarly benefits these groups.

As Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, I agree to:

1.    The revised policy wording being adopted and published on the KCC website to replace the existing policy

2.    The designated officer working with all services in KCC to ensure the policy is implemented in practice and can be achieved