Falkirk Council is in the process of revising its sustainability strategy and action plan.
The revised documents will still cover the wide subject of sustainable development but will focus on climate change issues in particular.
This reflects the emphasis on addressing climate change issues at European, UK and Scottish Government level, and we plan to address it at a local level.
A revised and updated draft strategy has been prepared which sets out Falkirk Council’s approach to sustainable development and climate change for the next five years. We would like to invite you to comment on this and contribute to the development of the final document. We would be pleased to receive any comments you may have about the strategy by
01 February 2012.
Environmental Report
The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires local authorities to assess whether or not a plan or strategy is likely to have a significant environmental effect. We have decided that this new strategy is likely to, which means that we need to carry out a Strategic Environmental Assessment. As part of this process, we have prepared an environmental report which identifies, describes and evaluates the likely environmental effects that the strategy might have. It also identifies any reasonable alternatives. This document will help you to understand the environmental issues that we have considered in drafting the strategy and the decisions that we have made.
Sustainable Development and Climate Change Action Plan 2012
As a follow up to the strategy we shall also be producing an action plan. This will comprise a detailed list of sustainable development related actions that are planned to take place within the Falkirk Council area over the next few years.
The action plan will be a simple summary of work being carried out, what it aims to achieve and target dates for completion. It will be updated annually with progress publicised by reports to Council committee.
Many people and organisations are carrying out their own projects so we are keen to include these too, whether by community groups, businesses or public bodies. If you would like to contribute to the action plan, please let us know and we shall arrange to meet with you to discuss your ideas.
(If you commented on the Draft Strategy during Oct-Nov 2011 your comments will automatically be added to this extended consultation process. If, in light of the newly released Environmental Report, you wish to amend or add to your previous comments please do so.)