Reason for the decision:
To ensure the Council’s Environment Policy is brought in line with the latest environmental priorities for clean growth, clean air and the natural environment as set out in new Strategies and Plans issued by UK Government and at county level (e.g. the Kent and Medway Energy & Low Emissions Strategy and net-zero target commitments).
Background:
KCC is the lead partner in delivering the Kent Environment Strategy and the Kent & Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy and has had a publicly available Environment Policy since circa 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 a Policy. There has been significant shift in the political and public focus on environmental matters since the last policy was published in 2017.
Options:
A. Retain existing policy which was last revised and published in March 2017.
B. Approve a revised policy, which reflects current priorities set out in new Strategies and Plans issued by UK Government and at county level.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: (All Division);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 30/07/2020
Decision due: Not before 28th Aug 2020 by Cabinet Member for Environment
Reason: In order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimum of 28 days in accordance with statutory requirements
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Environment
Lead director: Stephanie Holt-Castle
Department: Growth, Environment & Transport
Contact: Christine Wissink, Head of Sustainable Business and Communities 03000 413482 Email: christine.wissink@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
The proposed decision was considered and endorsed by the Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee on 15 September 2020.
Financial implications: This links directly to Council budget savings and is a key document which directs all services in delivering environmental improvement initiatives that achieve resource efficiencies and minimise environmental risks and financial losses
Legal implications: An Environment Policy is a key requirement of meeting the international Standard ISO14001 and gives assurance that processes are in place to deliver compliance with environmental legislation, reducing the risk of fines, losses and negative PR due to non-compliance.
Equalities implications: Equalities implications – There are no direct equalities implications. All projects or significant initiatives to deliver the policy commitments will have an Equalities Impact Assessment completed. Data Protection implications - A Data Protection Impact Assessment is not needed as this Policy does not require the processing of personal data.