Trafford's Charter to Support Sustainable
Development
In adopting this Charter, the Council recognizes
the links between global and local challenges and sets
out its commitment to support Sustainable Development,
to act wherever possible to be a sustainable
authority. It pledges to work in partnership across
the Trafford (Local Strategic) Partnership in order to
maximize the benefits and minimize harmful impacts
upon its residents when working as service provider,
regulator, enforcer or enabler. The Council will fully
support long-term delivery of the Community Strategy
objectives in all that it does.
The Council has a duty of care to play a leading
role in becoming a champion for Sustainable
Development and will influence improvements in a
number of key areas. Furthermore, it will work to
ensure that the community of Trafford has its say on
sustainability matters and will act as a catalyst for
communication with its diverse community. It will
develop a campaign for Sustainable Development to
ensure that communities and stakeholders have an
active role and a voice. It will support key projects,
such as the Eco and healthy Schools, Trafford In Bloom
and recycling initiatives. The Council will also
develop active monitoring systems to assess impacts on
Sustainable Development across its own services. This
is a complex agenda and involves a number of competing
elements, which need to be fair and balanced when
embarking on future decisions.
The Council adopts seven key environmental
priorities to build a Sustainable Future:
- Waste Reduction, Re-use and Recycling will be a
strong key point for the Council working with its
partners and local communities. It will work to
reduce the amount of waste disposed to landfill and
will continue to take steps to manage the amount of
the Councils own Waste in a more sustainable way. It
will encourage minimum usage of packaging materials,
working closely with the business sector in the
borough.
- The Public Realm is an important aspect
influencing the quality of life for local people.
The Council is committed to supporting the efforts
of Trafford In Bloom and wishes to encourage maximum
future involvement. It will continue to give
priority to street scene and green space management
and maintenance, helping to improve quality of life
in the borough.
- Energy and water conservation are important to
preserve our natural resources. The Council
positively encourages policies of preservation and
use of green or renewable energy and will work to
protect the waterways across the Borough.
- The Council will support Action for Nature and
make every effort to enhance opportunities to
protect and improve natural habitats, woodlands,
supporting bio-diversity and nature conservation for
a Borough living closer to Nature.
- Facilitating positive change to the built
environment to create and maintain a safe and
pleasant place to live and work with a vibrant
economy, rich heritage and protecting open spaces.
Good use of land and asset management will drive
growth in the local economy, provide good affordable
housing, transport, shopping and leisure
infrastructure developments to meet future needs.
- Preventing and reducing pollution of air land
and water, recognizing the issues of climate change
as a high priority. Taking forward strategies to
reduce Greenhouse gasses (C02) and those harmful
emissions closely linked to chronic health impacts.
Bring back into gainful use Brownfield land through
remediation, enforcement and assisting the
development process.
- Traffic and Transportation is essential to the
vibrancy and success of Trafford as a world-class
residential, economic and leisure/tourist location.
The Council will work to optimise the use of public
and multi modal transport and to make the roads a
safer place. It aims to strike the right balance to
allow the Borough to develop whilst reducing
negative environmental, economic and social impacts.
Six Sustainability Themes:
- To support local and regional economic growth
and prosperity that is sensitive to the needs of
Trafford and to support small business and local
employment opportunities.
- To secure improvements in health and well-being,
support preventative health strategies and to reduce
health inequalities for people and communities.
- To increase opportunities for sport, leisure and
healthier lifestyles in its communities.
- To reduce crime and the fear of crime across the
borough by working for a Safer Trafford.
- To manage resources and the procurement of goods
and services in a sustainable way, supporting the
principals of Fair Trade and 'Green Purchasing'.
- Trafford Council will raise awareness to
equality and diversity, recognizing the value this
brings to the borough when delivering sustainable
development for everyone.
These priorities form part of the Council's
commitment to the Local Strategic Partnership.
Charter adopted by the Councils Executive on 8th
March 2005
To obtain a language translation of this Charter,
please contact Environmental Partnerships on 0161 912
4645
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