Environment Policy

SOUTH CLIFTON PARISH COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES POLICY STATEMENT

South Clifton is located in an exceptionally appealing area of Nottinghamshire, adjacent to the River Trent. With many listed properties and surrounded by fields, South Clifton is designated as a conservation village. To the south is Clay Hill and pond (privately owned) with a trigonometry point. The village is on the Trent Valley Way and has access to the Boston to Fledborough cycle route 647, part of the national cycle network. This is maintained locally by the Sustrans charity.

In such a beautiful location, it is axiomatic that South Clifton Parish Council (SCPC), supports national environmental initiatives and specifically, Newark and Sherwood District Council’s objectives for a cleaner, safer and greener district. As the village is some 6 miles from the nearest major facilities, the community should do as much as possible to be self-supporting, sustainable and create as minimal an environmental impact as possible. The village already has several relevant and active environmental initiatives in alignment with the council’s aspirations.

Action Statement.

South Clifton Parish Council will, where possible, take active steps to minimise its environmental impact, and make itself cleaner, greener and safer, for the benefit of the village, Newark & Sherwood district, Nottinghamshire County and indeed beyond. The Parish Council will support through practical, active steps or financial support any projects which directly benefit the parish, its inhabitants and our environment.

Project Prioritisation.

Priority will be given to projects which are originated in, benefitting residents of the village and run within the boundaries of the parish itself. There is no separate budget allocated for this help within the parish finances. Cases will be discussed on an open basis at Parish Council which may be supported by a briefing paper or presentation at the Parish Council. These could be whether direct: e.g., financial support or donations, organisation or campaigns, purchase of resources, volunteer effort, collections, or indirect; such as grant application assistance.

Actions to be taken

In line with the district council’s cleaner, safer and greener aspirations, SCPC actions and aspirations are set out below.

Cleaner

Annually review the location and use of all communal rubbish bins. Obtain and maintain bins, salt and dog waste bins whether PC or county council owned. Encourage the use of all recyclable materials within the parish and at SC events e.g., glass, cardboard, metals, wood, usable plastics and paper Discourage illegal disposal of waste or rubbish by fly tipping, dumping or fires through an active reporting system and support in the prosecution of offenders. Support efforts to reuse other materials such as garden waste, clothing, shoes, batteries, books, CD and DVD recycling Organise at least an annual clean-up walk to include the banks of the Trent in the PC area Remove unsightly advertising posters, banners or other signs Provide support to future viable and legitimate initiatives to make or keep the area clean and attractive

Greener

Encourage the use of all forms of greener technology by village organisations, companies or individuals with due regard to planning laws, including solar panels, for electricity or water heating, heat pumps, boreholes, energy storage, wind turbines, and energy reduction measures e.g., insulation, double glazing. Encourage the adoption of BREAAM standards in the construction of all new village facilities. Installation of low voltage lighting and electric devices, timers, switches and power management systems where appropriate. Support green tourism and routes such as the Sustrans operated, Fledborough to Boston or similar national bicycle routes, or future paths. Support initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of living in the village through transport such as shared car journeys or volunteer car schemes and the installation of electric car charging points. Encourage the planting of trees and flowers in all possible, permissible locations. If applying for PC support, planting schemes should contain a brief management plan for maintenance. Support shared use of land to produce vegetables e.g., spare land in gardens or fields. When practicable, consider rural business initiatives such as a village shop and /or post office offering electric charging points and selling local produce. Attract a local flour mill and/or bakers using local cereals, or support creation of a microbrewery. Assess feasibility of the purchase of land for rental to local farmers or small holders or allotments. Consider a camping and caravan site available to the Sustrans route cyclists. Assess the case for environmentally relevant uses e.g., battery storage, a solar farm, an anaerobic digestion plant, water storage or wind turbines. Longer term projects could include growth of wood chip species, a plantation of willow for cricket bats, Christmas trees or Sherwood Oaks or even a parish heritage orchard of Nottinghamshire fruit tree varieties with visitor and educational facilities. Support the South Clifton Refill station initiative to reduce travel costs, pollution, one-off plastics and use ethical and other products with minimal impact. Where possible at all parish events whether run by the PC or other parish organisations encourage buying minimum impact foodstuffs, with emphasis on British produce, especially the use or sale of village produce, local beverages and similar items Encourage composting of suitable waste and discourage disposal by fires. Encourage water collection measures e.g., rainwater recycling

Safer

Inspect local roads for safety and encourage the prompt reporting of holes for repairs. Obtain prompt clearance of dumped items which may impact road safety. Assess the lighting of roads and report broken lamps. Keep speed limits under review and take action to curb excessive speeds especially in the village envelope. Keep the village’s salt and grit containers full and organise volunteers to place salt in inclement conditions. Maintain the parish and report on the county salt and grit boxes:

 

Ensure footpaths are kept safe and clear of obstructions with gates, fences and signage maintained and visible. In many parishes, the PC is responsible for facilities, which are either absent or are run by other bodies in South Clifton e.g., there is no public toilet nor allotments, the village hall’s run and owned by the Coronation Hall committee, the cemetery is the property of St George’s Church and the park is owned by the Sports Association. In support of this policy, the Parish Council should consider future purchase of land or rental if such opportunities arise. This in turn, necessitates having a policy