Issue - items at meetings - Environmental Management System

Report of the Strategic Director, Place (copy attached)

That the Environment & Sustainability Committee agrees to amend the Environmental Management System to achieve compliance with the ISO 20121 sustainable events standard by end of 2012, to coincide with the withdrawal BS 8901.

37.1         The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place that provided an update on the Council’s ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) specifically, the acquisition of the new ISO 20121 standard.

37.2         Councillor West stated that at a penalty cost of 250,000 per year, the Carbon Reduction Commitment rightly placed a heavy financial incentive on the Council to ensure it was using energy efficiently and supporting low and zero carbon sources, like wind and solar.

Councillor West added that as a part of the drive to be a One Planet Council, there had been a recent agreement to invest in automatic metering, so the Council could establish wastage and fix it.

Councillor West supplemented that the huge financial, carbon and water savings realised at the Brighton Centre through environmental management demonstrated the real practical value and importance of these initiatives.

Councillor West stated that this was not a Green pet project, these initiatives were saving the city money and the improving future prospects.

37.3         Councillor Janio praised the tremendous work of Officers which would be of significant benefit as an increasing number of organisers sought to book sustainable venues.

37.4         Councillor Cox stated his support for the acquisition of the new standard. However, he noted his concern that this could increase bureaucracy thereby excluding small businesses who could might not be compliant because of the expense in doing so.

37.5         The Sustainability Consultant stated that it was relatively inexpensive to acquire the qualification. In addition, the council had put on several workshops to assist small businesses.

37.6         Councillor Sykes stated that he hoped the standard could be expanded across the council’s operations.

37.7         Councillor Deane stated her support for the initiative which had realised superb savings. She hoped that Brighton and Hove would be synonymous with the rising eco-technology sector.

37.8         RESOLVED-  That the Environment & Sustainability Committee agrees to amend the Environmental Management System to achieve compliance with the ISO 20121 sustainable events standard by end of 2012, to coincide with the withdrawal BS 8901.