Annual Report 2010-11

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Environment

 

 

Delivering on the Environment in 2010/11….

  • The Council was declared a ‘4 STAR’ authority by the British Cleaning Council for our clean streets.
  • Our Trade Waste Service won an Environmental Best Practice Green Apple ‘Gold award’ for its recycling service to local businesses.
  • We recycled 35% of household waste in the borough and 93% of residents are satisfied with our recycling services.
  • In June 2010 we held a Recycling Rally where over 1000 pupils from 30 local schools marched through Accrington with banners promoting recycling.
  • For the second consecutive year the Council’s achieved the highest standard for successfully tackling fly-tipping
  • Cutwood Park joined Oakhill, Mercer and Gatty Parks by being awarded the prestigious national Green Flag recognising the high quality of these parks.
  • We were the first Council in England to win the ‘Gold Award’ by the Energy Saving Trust for reducing vehicle emissions. Not only did we achieve this once but for two years in a row and we are currently going for the hat-trick!
  • We reduced the amount of business miles we travel by 27% reducing our Carbon Footprint by 5 tonnes.
  • 14 employees have joined the Cycle to Work scheme aimed at promoting healthier journeys to work and reducing environmental pollution.
  • We offered free bags of grit to every household in the Borough to help our residents get through the worst of the winter weather.
  • An exciting new play area opened in Lowerfold Park, Great Harwood. Other playgrounds refurbished include Huncoat, Highams and Lyndon House.
  • In conjunction with our partners two new Multi-Use Games Areas were provided at Rhyddings and Oakhill Parks providing all-weather areas for football, cricket and basketball.
  • We are continually looking for ways to reduce energy consumption in our buildings to help us save money and reduce our carbon footprint. In 2010/11 we introduced a variety of measures that helped us save over £24K in one year and reduce our Carbon Footprint by 12% from our gas and electricity consumption.
  • We prosecuted 22 individuals or businesses for environmental crimes totalling over £26,000 in fines.