www.brent.gov.uk/greencharter

ForewordThis is Brent Council’s ‘GreenCharter’, written in consultation withlocal residents and other stakehold-ers, with the aim of reducing thecouncil’s impact on the environmentand helping residents reduce theirs.

Making Brent a greener borough needs to bedone collectively with our partners, people wholive, work and study here, public and privatesectors and voluntary groups and I would like toacknowledge the contribution already beingmade by schools, voluntary and faith groups aswell as individuals.

Everything we do, whether at work, at home ortravelling has an environmental impact. As acouncil, we need to have policies in place toreduce that impact as much as we can and tocreate a better vision for the future. This GreenCharter brings together all the work the councilis doing to improve, enhance and protect theenvironment and asks those who live, work orstudy in Brent, to be more sustainable in theirway of life. It also makes suggestions how thiscan be achieved.

This charter sets out how the council takes theenvironment into account in all of its work andsets out a vision of how residents and the councilcan work together. In this way we can bestrespond fully to the challenge of climate changeand reduce our carbon footprint.

Cllr James Powney

Introduction

Brent Council has made some ground-breakingcommitments. It was an early signatory to theNottingham Declaration on Climate Change andproduced London’s first ever borough-wideclimate change strategy and Action Plan.

2010 saw the introduction of the newHousehold Waste Strategy, with its aim toincrease household waste recycling andcomposting to 60 per cent by 2014.

In April 2011, we introduced an emission-basedresident parking permit charging regime and theelectric vehicle infrastructure is beginning to takeshape with the first two “PodPoint” electricvehicle charging points installed in Wembley andHarlesden.

In 2013 Brent Council will have completed itsnew civic centre, which will be the greenestpublic building in Britain. On its own, this willmake Brent Council an exemplar local authorityand a flagship borough. The combined heat andpower (CHP) facility the civic centre will use couldpotentially be used as a district heating systemfor Wembley in the future.

The council’s Carbon Management Strategy andAction Plan is on target to deliver a saving of 25per cent in council emissions by 2014.

As a contributor to the Carbon ReductionCommitment Energy Efficiency Scheme, thecouncil continues to calculate its carbon baselineand to provide energy data on all council officesand schools, helping us to be more aware ofwhere we need to cut our energy costs.

As well as these obvious areas of work, we arecommitted to reducing our carbon footprint in allour activities. All service plans reflect ourenvironmental aims. The number of departmentsbecoming ISO14001 certified is growing and thishelps ensure that our work is carried out in asenvironmentally friendly ways as possible. Whilstwe are setting our policies, aims and initiativeshigh, we are asking the community to do theirbit in their personal and work life.

We can assist and provide resources,information and to give practical tips on how tosave energy and be more self sufficient. Youcould grow your own vegetables, set up solarpanels on your roof, volunteer, decide to usepublic transport twice a week or some otherpersonal action. Whatever it is, we hope that youfind this information useful and that it inspiresyou to continue the good work that is alreadytaking place in this part of North West London.

The Green Charter sets out what the council does to improve the environ-ment when delivering its services. The charter also provides suggestions onwhat people can do who live, work or study in the borough.

Behaviour change is encouragedand monitored. This includessimple actions by staff and sitemanagers and the use of efficientheating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment(Be Clean) and by complying withthe Be Lean/Be Clean checklists.

The council uses internalcommunication channels toencourage all staff to turn offlights, computer screens and ITequipment when not in use. Useenergy monitoring technology andcarry out regular energy audits

These type of actions enabledGwenneth Rickus building‘sDisplay Energy Certificate (DEC)rating to be reduced from an E to B.

The council uses alternativesources of renewable energy suchas solar panels and continuouslyanalyses the council’s use ofenergy and the new civic centrewill be the greenest publicbuilding in the UK.

The council implements theborough’s climate change strategyand action plan which waslaunched in December 2009 andits environmental policy, whichwas updated in October 2009

Some schools are investigatingtaking advantage of thegovernment’s Feed In Tariff and thecouncil is also making enquiries.

The council created sustainableBusiness and Resident ClimateChange pledges for residents andbusinesses to pledge to.

What the council will do

Reduce carbon dioxide emissions

As part of its contractmaintenance programme, thecouncil’s street lighting contractorhas begun to remove the oldfluorescent bulbs from street signsand ministry posts, which tend tobe lit 24 hours a day, replacingthem with photo-cells that onlycome on as and when arenecessary, thus reducing carbonemissions.

Since the publication of the firstair quality action plan in 2005 thecouncil has effectively controlledpollution using measures such asthe control of dust fromconstruction, placing stringentcontrols on industrial operationsto ensure they do not pollute theair, and limiting exposure to poorair quality by planning andnuisance controls.

However, the concentrations oftwo key pollutants – nitrogendioxide and particulate matter-remain above national standardsin certain areas. We refer to these

areas as Air Quality ManagementAreas. Pollution here is moredifficult to tackle because theyare associated with trafficemissions, often on roads outsidethe council’s direct control.

Maintain its internal GreenChampions network withupdates/awareness raisingschemes for staff

The councils IT department isworking on the introduction of‘Oneprint’. This is a managedprint service which uses multi-functional devices (MFDs) toprint, scan and photocopy toensure that printing across the organisation becomes more efficient.

In the coming years, councilofficer will no longer havedesktop PCs but somethingcalled thin clienttechnology.These paperbackbook-sized devices have a muchlower power consumption and alonger shelf life.

The council funds and supportsEnergy Solutions (North WestLondon) Ltd to provide advice onenergy saving, renewable energy,insulation advice and obtainingfunds from the Feed in Tariff.

A Scrutiny Committee Task Groupon Fuel Poverty was set up andrecommends that Brent Council,with partners,

develop an affordable warmthstrategy for Brent to enable theborough to develop a

coherent and focussed plan totackle fuel poverty within existingresources.

Provide energy monitoring devicesfor people to borrow fromlibraries.

Publish information on thecouncil’s website about savingenergy and combating the effectsof climate change.

Work with schools to assist themto reduce energy.

Work with businesses to be moreenergy efficient. This includesinvitations to free carbonreduction events and offers of freeenergy checks.

Turn off lights and applianceswhen not in use. When buyingnew appliances, buy the mostenergy efficient. Find out aboutthe energy efficiency of your ownhome.

Fit energy saving light bulbs.

Reduce heating by at least onedegree to save energy costs.

Use energy efficient fittings andappliances.

Install insulation in lofts and cavitywalls.

Take advantage of thegovernment’s Feed In Tariff. Thismeans you will be paid for any

electricity you create that can goto the National Grid.

Plant trees and other large plantsto naturally cool the air andprovide shade.

Refurbish your home to the bestpractice standards - draughtproofing; double-glazing.

Join the Brent Green ChampionsNetwork for residents.

Complete the Sustainable Businessand Resident Climate Changepledges.

Set up your own GreenChampions Network at your placeof work.

How we help the public What we ask you to do

Reduce carbon dioxide emissions

Implement sustainable householdwaste management. Thisincorporates:

Reducing the amount ofhousehold waste generated byresidents by using the nationalwaste hierarchy of

Reduce – Reuse – Recycle -Dispose

Implementing the new wastestrategy will mean the council willreuse, recycle and compost 40 percent of household waste by2011/12, rising to 50 per cent by2014/15 and aiming to divert 60per cent of waste from landfill by2014 /15.

Recycle 95 per cent of greenwaste from parks.

Prosecute those who litter and fly-tip

The council has phased out papertowels and is replacing clothtowels with hand dryers.

Our internal recycling scheme iscompulsory and waste bins arecentrally located and nobody hasa bin under their desk.

Send unwanted and out-of-date ITequipment to a local re-usescheme.

Toner cartridges are recycledinternally via the council’s facilitiesmanagement service.

Have in place an internalcommunication plan to increasethe council’s own recycling levels.

What the council will do

Lower waste

Introduce a new and improvedwaste collection service for allresidents in Brent from autumn2011 designed to:

• increase the range of materialsaccepted for recycling

• expand and improve the foodwaste collection service

• expand the recycling service to include all suitable blocks of flats

Communicate effectively to ensureresidents understand the purposeand operation of the new wastecollection service.

Continue to provide a Christmastree recycling service.

Increase the amount of itemsreused in Brent, whether throughcharity shops, re-use schemes orrecycling.

Provide a Streetwatcher schemeincluding events, training, daysout

Make home compost binsavailable to residents.

Increase residents’ awareness ofthe amount of food waste that isthrown away.

Promote the Mailing PreferenceService and encourage people toreturn unwanted junk mail to thesender.

The council offers to collect up tofive bulky items of householdwaste free of charge up to threetimes a year.

Increase awareness and use of theReuse and Recycling Centre atAbbey Road.

Provide an effective network ofrecycling bins in public placeslocated across the borough.

How we help the public

Take full advantage of the newwaste collection service fromautumn 2011. There will be a highprofile campaign explaining thechanges.

Use the new waste binseffectively.

Get a subsidised home compostbin and use it for uncookedcompostable food and gardenwaste and buy and cook onlyfood that you need.

Recycling more and press shops toaccept back excess packaging thatis recyclable.

There was an increase in numbersof Streetwatchers in Brent, to 229.The work of these residents is vitalto maintaining the cleanliness ofthe borough, as they act as theeyes and ears of the council asthey go about their daily lives.Consider joining them.

Report fly tippers

Take part in clean up days andcampaigns.

Brent Council, in partnership withCommunity Payback (the LondonProbation Service) and otherpartners, such as the police,residents groups and volunteers,participated in 41 projectsassociated with improving localenvironmental quality. Theseranged from rubbish clearing,graffiti removal, painting rooms incommunal parts of buildings,

overgrown vegetation removal,garden clearances and tidying upchildren playground areas. To getinvolved check our website fordifferent initiatives.

Sign up to the Mailing PreferenceService and return junk mail to thesender where possible with arequest to be removed from themailing list.

Call 0845 703 4599 to register forthe Mailing Preference Service

Choose products with lesspackaging.

Avoid disposable products such aplastic or paper cups/cutlery, papertowels etc

What we ask you to do

Lower waste

Consider using ‘real’ nappiesrather than disposable ones.

Take items suitable for reuse tothe Reuse and Recycling Centre.

Use internet exchange forums.

Donate to a charity shop.

Recycle and compost more.

Use the Reuse and RecyclingCentre to reuse and recycle evenmore materials.

Recycle during your dailycommute or other activities thatyou carry out away from home.

The council uses the newplacemaking guide aims toachieve a safe, attractive,accessible and inclusiveenvironment by setting out publicrealm policy and design guidelinesand specifications for materials,street furniture and the layout ofstreets and spaces that fall withinthe control of the council.

Sustainable development ispromoted by planning for mixeduse development in growth areaswhere there is good publictransport provision. We willensure new development isaccompanied by supportingfacilities such as school places,open space and communityfacilities.

The council reduces the carbonfootprint of new development by

requiring high levels of energyefficiency and renewables beyondcurrent building regulationstandards, particularly in growthareas.

Achieve exemplar low carbonschemes, such as promotingcombined heat and power districtheat networks in Wembley andSouth Kilburn.

Reduce waste from demolitionand construction by requiring alldevelopment to comply with theICE demolition protocol and settargets for reuse and recycling.

Reduce the risk of flooding bysteering development away fromareas at risk and ensure newdevelopment includes measures tominimise rainwater runoff such asgreen roofs and permeablepaving.

Sustainable development and regenerationWhat the council will do

The council’s Planning Serviceprovides planning advice toresidents and the private sector. Itsaim is to reduce the carbonfootprint of any development buthas particularly stringentrequirements for newdevelopments in growth areas.

Provide guidance on sustainabledesign and construction in ourhouseholders’ guide.

Publish our sustainability appraisalon new plans and policies so youcan see how we have considereda project’s environmental, socialand economic impacts.

Sustainable development and regenerationHow we help the public

Consider the wider environmentwhen making changes to yourproperty.

Ensure your home is wellinsulated.

Install heating controls that allowyou to control the temperature indifferent parts of your home.

Install low energy lighting.

Take steps to save water andcollect rainwater where possible.

Use environmentally friendlymaterials.

Try not to pave over your frontgarden, but if you do rememberthat at least 1/2 of your frontgarden must be retained with softlandscaping and you shouldconsider using a permeablesurface and encouragingbiodiversity.

What we ask you to do

The council encourages lowcarbon modes of transport toreduce emissions, reducing theneed to travel.

The council has recognised thatfor more people to walk and cyclearound the borough, they need tofeel confident doing so, for whichit is necessary to design saferstreets. To improve the walkingand public realm, Brent has setabout making areas look, feel andactually be safe. Work has beenundertaken in areas such asWembley, Kilburn Streets forPeople and Queensbury Parade.In the Kilburn Streets for Peopleinitiative, for example, in additionto wholesale improvements to theurban realm, wider benefits haveincluded:

• 10 new car club bays;

• 166 trees planted;

• 26 cycle stands installed;

• 27 ‘white light’ emitting lampcolumns installed;

• 5% of parking spaces in thearea removed.

Deliver car parking permits on apolluter pays principle.

The council provides an AnimalWelfare Service that will educate,encourage and enforceresponsible animal/dog ownership.

What the council will do

Sustainable Transport and Streets

The council will pay £200 toresidents who surrender theirparking permit and get rid of theircar.

Provide electric car infrastructureby providing electric vehiclecharging points such as the twoPodPoint electric vehicle chargingpoints installed in the council’spublic car parks at WembleyCentral (Elm Rd/St.John’s Rd andHarlesden (Wendover Rd).

Assist and support school travelplans.

Assist with business travel plans.

Make it easy to travel in a waythat is sustainable, safe andefficient, whatever this entails.

Improve air quality and healthoutcomes by emissions basedpermit parking, where high-emission cars pay more.

Encourage organisations to workwith the council to create theirown travel plan.

Provide new facilities such as cycleparking.

Consult residents and businesseson improving the Grand UnionCanal environment aroundAlperton.

Plan to continue to deliver freecycle training for Brent’s residentsfor three years.

Promote car clubs.

Publish travel advice on thecouncil’s website.

Improve the public realm to makewalking a more attractive option.

In partnership with The MayhewAnimal Home provide freeneutering for bull breeds and lowcost neutering for all other breeds,to prevent over population ofdogs.

.Provide free poop scoops toencourage dog owners to cleanup after their dogs.

To undertake regular patrols ofknown hot spot dog fouling areasand educate dog owners andwhere necessary enforce fixedpenalty notices.

To provide free “reward” packs tothose owners “caught” clearingup after their dogs.

Work in partnership with theNeighbourhood Services (Parks) toprovide educational events inParks throughout Brent onresponsible animal/dog ownership.

How we help the public

Walk children to school or sharecars on the school-run.

Walk to the shops instead ofdriving.

Take advantage of the cycletraining and try out cycling in theborough.

Use the Grand Union Canal Walkand the Capital Ring.

Take advantage of Brent’sextensive public transport networkto get around.

Try out car clubs and consider notusing a car.

Consider an electric car or onewith lower emissions.

Report fly-tipping and illegaldisposal of industrial / commercialwaste to the council.

Please do not drop litter in thestreet – use bins provided or takerubbish home

Sustainable Transport and StreetsWhat we ask you to do

The council explores the issue offood growing in Brent as part ofthe allotment strategydevelopment process. Publicconsultation on the draft strategyis expected to take place in thespring of 2012.

The council implemented theWellbeing and Healthy Livingstrategy.

The council supports the BrentFairtrade Network by providingpremises for meetings.

It has set up a Scrutiny CommitteeTask Group to assist the BrentFairtrade Network in its work.

The council has produced a foodsustainability checklist and onlybuys Fairtrade tea, coffee, milk,sugar, fruit for council meetingsand events.

Commit to provide and improveallotments or other food growingprojects, including a survey on theuse of allotments.

The council only purchases peatfree products.

Sustainable food and purchasing

The council offers evening cookinglessons classes via BACES in orderto enable residents to learn basicskills in this area.

The council provides allotments toresidents and local groups.

Promote the farmers’ marketevents.

Promote Fairtrade eventsthroughout the borough.

Provide information on healthyliving via the council’s website.

Provide information sessions ongrowing your own food in anurban setting through the BrentSustainability Forum.

Eat freshly prepared fruit andvegetables that are local andseasonal and where possibleorganic. Reduce food waste.

Buy Fairtrade goods such as tea,coffee, sugar, wine, bananas andcotton.

Try to avoid highly processed,heavily packaged ready meals.

Consider growing your own food.

Think about shopping at afarmers’ market now and again.

Consider sustainability whenbuying food (food miles, how wasit reared etc).

Buy peat-free products. Peat actsas a carbon sink and is a nonrenewable resource.

What the council will do How we help the public What we ask you to do

What the council will do How we help the public What we ask you to do

Sustainable water

The Council considers flood risksfor any infrastructure, building ortransportation work.

Consider water conservation andwater management in all areas ofthe council’s services.

When planning new buildings,incorporate SUDS (sustainableurban drainage systems) wheneverpossible.

Use tap water in meetings insteadof bottles.

Using water more efficiently inbuildings and in the products webuy, tackling local flooding andwatercourse pollution.

Reduce flood risk by whenplanning new buildings.

Reduce flood risk by keepingurban areas green and by usingplants in parks that are droughtresistant.

Reduce flood risks which will havedirect and indirect economicbenefits.

The council replaced bottled waterdispensers with mains water inpublic areas of council offices.

If covered, consider turning yourfront garden into a garden withplants.

Use tap water instead of bottles.

Fit water saving fittings for taps,showers and toilets.

Consider taking showers insteadof baths.

Collect rainwater by installing awater butt.

Grow drought resistant plants inyour garden.

Consider fitting a water meter togain control over water usage.

The council preserves andenhances Brent’s existing parksand open spaces and aims toincrease these as opportunitiesbecome available.

Support and fund the work of theWelsh Harp environmentaleducation centre.

Make sure the planning systemprotects and enhances openspaces and biodiversity and doesall it can to protect and promotetrees and woodland andpromoting wildlife.

The council conserves andenhances biodiversity.

Protect our SSSI sites (Sites ofSpecial Scientific Interest) at WelshHarp, and our local naturereserves such as Fryent Park.

Create wildlife corridors wherepossible (e.g. Fryent Park to RoeGreen Park and along railwaylines).

Brent Council is a member of thePesticide Action Network and hasreduced its own pesticide use to abare minimum.

Sustainable land use and wildlifeWhat the council will do How we help the public What we ask you to do

Greater biodiversity and openspaces contribute to improvedenvironmental quality andwellbeing.

The council’s parks add toimproved air quality for residentsboth locally and globally.

Parks provide walking routes forlocal journeys.

Brent in Bloom is an annualcompetition that gives localpeople the opportunity to showoff their gardening skills and aimsto make the borough moreattractive.

Erect bird, bat and bumblebeeboxes to increase biodiversity.

Keep grass long and sow wildflower seeds to increasebiodiversity.

Grow plants that attract wildlifeinto your garden or on yourbalcony to increase biodiversity.

Return land use from hard-standing such as slabs andconcrete to natural vegetation,lawns or bark chips to encouragea balanced eco-system.

Consider creating ponds and wetareas in gardens and the creationof wild flower chains forpollination and insect habitat. Seewww.riverofflowers.org .

Reduce the use of pesticides,preferably stop using themaltogether.

Take part in Brent in Bloom

Brent Council links

The following council strategies and action plans have been usedto compile the Green Charter

• Air Quality Action Plan 2005-2010

• Brent - Our Future 2010-2014 corporate strategy , One Borough,One Community, One Council

• Brent Biodiversity Action Plan 2007 and Biodiversity ActionReporting System

• Brent’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2008 - 2018

• Brent Regeneration Strategy 2010-2030 draft

• Carbon Management Strategy 2010-1014

• Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2009

• Corporate Environmental Policy Statement 2009

• Consultation and Engagement Strategy 2006

• Council Travel Plan 2009

• Cultural Strategy 2010 - 2015

• Household Waste Policy Strategy 2010 – 2014

• Joint Commissioning Strategy - Short Breaks and PreventativeServices for Disabled Children and Young People 2009 - 2011

• IT Strategy 2010-13

• Inspiring Brent - Brent Council’s Action Plan for the London2012 Games (2010)

• Local Development Framework Core Strategy 2010-2026

• Library Strategy 2008-2012

• Parks Strategy 2010-2015

• Shaping the Future of Housing in Brent, Housing Strategy 2009 -2014

• Strategy for Sport & Physical Activity in Brent 2010-2015

• Transport Local Implementation Plan 2011-2014

www.brent.gov.uk/greencharter