Decision details

24/00114 - Adoption of the revision of the Kent County Council Environment Policy

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Environment

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

Proposed decision:

Adoption of the revised Kent County Council Environment Policy

 

Reason for the decision

 

Kent County Council is certified to the international standard for environmental management (ISO14001:2015). To meet the requirements of the ISO14001:2015 Environmental Management standard, the Council must regularly update and publish their Environment Policy to ensure it is aligned to any new Strategies and Plans issued by the UK Government and current environmental objectives and targets, strategic direction and context of the organisation, including aligning with county wide plans such as the Environment Plan.

 

Background

 

The Environment Policy revision has been prepared by the Environment and Circular Economy team to ensure current information is included and it meets the requirements of the ISO14001:2015 environmental management standard.

 

The Environment Policy is reviewed annually by the Corporate Management Team to confirm the policy remains valid. The policy has a full review/revision approximately every 3 years, unless there are any significant changes which will lead to the policy being updated sooner.

 

Options (other options considered but discarded)

 

1: Do nothing - Retain existing policy which was last revised and published in September 2020.

2: Approve a revised policy - Approve a revised policy, which reflects current priorities set out in new Strategies and Plans issued by UK Government and at County level.

 

Preferred Option 

Option 2 is the preferred option as to meet the requirements of the ISO14001:2015 Environmental Management standard, we need to update the Environment Policy to align it with current strategies and plans, UK and county wide. Option 1 is not an option if we wish to continue meeting the requirements of the ISO 14001 standard.

 

How the proposed decision supports the Framing Kent's Future - Our Council Strategy 2022-2026

The decision supports Framing Kent’s Future 2022-2026 priority 3 – Environmental Step Change, which makes specific reference to our environmental targets and objects, compliance with legislation, protection of the environment, reducing our impact to the environment, protection and enhancement of biodiversity and ecosystems, sustainable resource use and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

 

How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022 -2026: Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery Strategy.pdf 

The decision supports Securing Kent’s Future as the updated policy will be there to significantly reduce the risk of non-compliance with environmental legislation. Not updating the policy will mean there is outdated information and a greater risk of KCC being fined due to non-compliance.

 

Secondly, having the ISO 14001 certification opens up more funding opportunities, as some funders may require this standard. Not updating the policy will put KCC at risk of losing the certification and reducing external funding opportunities, meaning to achieve our environmental targets we will have to rely more on internal funds.

 

 

Decision:

As Cabinet Member for Environment, I agree to:

 

(i)    APPROVE the revised Policy for adoption and implementation through the ISO14001 Environmental Management Standard framework; and

 

(ii)   To DELEGATE authority to the Director of Environment and Circular Economy to take necessary actions including but not limited to entering into relevant contracts, or other legal agreements to implement this decision

Publication date: 24/01/2025

Date of decision: 24/01/2025

Effective from: 01/02/2025

Accompanying Documents: