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 type: Key
Reason Key: Major new strategies or frameworks;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)
Division affected: (All Division);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 24/12/2024
Decision due: Not before 22nd Jan 2025 by Cabinet Member for Environment
Reason: To allow 28 day notice period required under Executive Decision regulations
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Environment
Lead director: Matthew Smyth
Department: Growth, Environment & Transport
Contact: Helen Shulver, Head of Environment Email: helen.shulver@kent.gov.uk Email: helen.shulver@kent.gov.uk.
Consultation process
Consultees
The proposed decision will be considered at the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 14th January 2025
Financial implications: The review and revision of the Environment policy has been carried out by base-funded staff and at no additional cost to the council. The policy refresh will not place any additional financial obligations on the council. Where match funding or in-kind funding may be required to further progress aims within the policy, this will be assessed on a project-by-project basis and taking into account the requirements of Securing Kent’s Future. Financing options underpinned by KCC’s emerging green finance strategy will provide an alternative route to funding for environmental outcomes.
Legal implications: Risk of receiving a major non-conformance in our external ISO14001 assessment and possible loss of certification. The Environment Policy assures 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: An Equality Impact Assessment was carried out in October 2024. It concluded that the publication of online resources on KCC’s website could adversely affect two groups of protected characteristics (age and disability). This will be mitigated by recommendations from KCC’s Digital Accessibility Team, to ensure that the Plan complies with the Equality Duty 2010. Positive impacts for protected groups from the impact of the actions undertaken due to the policy, for example cleaner air. Data Protection implications: None, as no personal information will be processed.