Brent Council’sEnvironmentReport 2011-12

ForewordWeareconstantlyinteractingwiththeenvironment.Thenaturalandbuiltworldwehavearounduscanaffectourphysicalhealth,senseofwellbeing,andhowwefeelaboutwherewelive,workorstudy.That’swhyBrentCounciliscommittedtocaringforandimprovingthelocalenvironment,settingenvironmentalsustainabilityasoneofitsmainpriorities.Weareconstantlyworkingtoreduceournegativeimpactsontheenvironmentandincreasethepositiveworkthatwedo.Creatingaclean,moreattractive,safeenvironment,withgoodqualityareasofgreenandopenspacewillhelptoimprovethequalityoflifeforallofBrent’sresidentsandthosewhoworkhere‐nowandforthefuture.BrentCouncilincludessustainabilityintheday‐to‐dayworkofallserviceareasand2011‐12hasbeenasuccessfulyear.Keysuccessesincludetheintroductionofanewrecyclingandwastecollection,whichhasledtoimprovedrecyclingrates;hugestepsforwardinprovidinggreeninformationtechnology;awardsformanyofourparksandopenspaces;thelaunchoftheBrentGreenCharterandthedevelopmentofenvironmentallysustainablecouncilbuildings.However,thisreportalsoindicatesotherareassuchasquantitiesofpollutantsandreducingthelocalauthority’scarbonemissionswheremoreprogressisstillneeded.Brent’sEnvironmentReportsupportsthehardworkbeingdonetoimprovetheborough’senvironmentbyprovidingannuallyupdatedinformationcoveringarangeofenvironmentalissues.TheEnvironmentReportfor2011‐12updatesthepreviousyear’sreport,givingnewinformationrelatingtoBrent’sbuiltandnaturalenvironment,andtheworkthecouncilanditspartnershavebeendoing.Improvingandprotectingourlocalenvironmentbenefitseveryone,bothinBrentandacrosstheworld‐andeveryonewholives,works,studiesortravelsthroughBrentcancontributeinsomeway,nomatterhowbigorsmall,tohelpmaketheboroughamoresustainableplace.TheseannualreportswillraiseawarenessofenvironmentalissuesinBrent,andencouragepositiveactivity–bythecouncilanditspartnersandalsobybusinesses,communitygroupsandindividuals,inordertodeliveramoresustainable,positivefuturefortheborough.OnlybyworkingtogethercanweachieveabetterfutureforBrentanditspopulation,andabetterqualityoflifeforall.CouncillorJamesPowneyLeadMember,EnvironmentandNeighbourhoodServicesBrentCouncil

WhatisSustainability?

TheUnitedNation’sWorldSummitin2005setoutthethreepillarsofsustainability–theyarethebalancingofenvironmental,socialandeconomicdemands.Thesummitstressedthatitisimportantthatwedoallthatwecantoprotectourenvironment,societyandtheeconomy,whilstwearestrivingforprogress.In1987theBrundtlandCommissiondefinedsustainabledevelopmentas‘developmentthatmeetstheneedsofthepresentwithoutcompromisingtheabilityoffuturegenerationstomeettheirownneeds’.

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Contents PageBrentCouncil’sValuesandVision 2CouncilEnvironmentalPolicyandManagement 3

‐ EnvironmentalPolicy‐ EnvironmentalManagementSystem‐ GreenChampions

ClimateChange 4‐ ClimateChangeStrategy‐ AdaptingtoClimateChange

Flooding 6‐ RiverFlooding‐ SurfaceWaterFlooding

BrentHouseholdWaterUse 6CarbonEmissions 7

‐ CarbonReductionCommitmentEnergyEfficiencyScheme‐ NI185–CO2ReductionfromLocalAuthorityOperations‐ EnergyUse‐ Streetlighting‐ InformationTechnology‐ BrentCivicCentre‐ Schools

SustainableTransport 13‐ Walking‐ Cycling‐ TravelPlans‐ ElectricVehicles‐ PublicTransport

WasteandRecycling 16‐ BrentCouncil’sResidentialWasteCollectionStrategy‐ Borough’sRecyclingRate‐ CouncilOfficeWasteandRecycling

EnvironmentalImprovement 18‐ CleanupDaysandCampaigns‐ Streetwatchers‐ Fly‐tipping‐ RubbishDumping‐ FilthyandVerminousPremises‐ PestControlandInfestations‐ AnimalWelfare‐ EnvironmentalNoiseandNuisance‐ Drainage‐ ContaminatedLand‐ AirQuality‐ IndustrialProcesses

BuiltEnvironment 22‐ Planning‐ BrentHousingPartnership

NaturalEnvironment,ParksandOpenSpaces 23‐ GreenFlagAwards‐ BrentinBloom‐ Butterflies‐ SitesofImportanceforNatureConservation‐ BrentReservoir‐ FryentCountryPark:Amphibians,HayMeadows‐ SEWADay‐ DraftFoodGrowingandAllotmentsStrategy

ResidentsandSustainability 25‐ BrentSustainabilityForum‐ BrentFairtradeNetwork‐ BrentGreenCharter

FuturePriorities 26

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BrentCouncil’sValuesThecounciltakesitsresponsibilitiestoitsresidentsextremelyseriously.AkeyvalueofthecouncilistodoallthatitcantoimprovethequalityoflifeofallBrentcommunities.Thecouncilwilldeliverefficient,accessibleandsustainableservicestoexcellentstandards.Itwilldeveloptailoredsolutionstomeettheneedsofindividuals,familiesandcommunities.Atthecoreisadesiretopromotethesocial,economicandenvironmentalwellbeingofallourcommunities,whichunderpinsthecouncil’sapproachtoeffectivepolicydevelopmentandserviceplanning.

BrentCouncil’sVision OurvisionforBrent,outlinedintheCorporateStrategy2010‐2014Brent‐OurFuture,isthatitwillbeathriving,vibrantplace,whereourdiversecommunitylivesinanenvironmentthatissafe,sustainableandwell‐maintained.Environmentally,weaimtoleadbyexample.Thisincludesatargettoreduceourcarbondioxideemissionsbyasmuchas25percentby2014.Already,reductionshavebeenachievedbutgreaterimprovementisstillneeded.Thiswillbeachievedbyinitiativessuchasfurtherimprovingenergyefficiencyincouncilbuildings;encouraginggreateruseofpublictransportbystaff;minimisingbusinesstravel;promotingcarsharingandprovidingcyclingfacilities.ThecouncilwillcontinuetoworkwithpartnerstoimplementBrent’sClimateChangeStrategy,tohelpeveryoneintheboroughtodotheirbittoreducetheextentoffutureclimatechangeandtopreparefortheearliereffectsofclimatechange.AsmuchaspossibleBrentCouncilwillmakesustainablechoicesinthepurchasingofgoodsandservicesandpromotetheworkoftheBrentFairtradeNetwork.Wewanttomakeiteasierforlocalpeopletomakegreenchoices,somethingwhichisveryimportanttomany.TheBrentGreenCharterwillinfluencealldepartmentsacrossthecouncilandwillhelpthecouncilandresidentstoworktogethertoreducetheborough’snegativeimpactontheenvironment.BrentCouncilwillcontinuetoworktofurtherimprovetherecyclingcollectionserviceavailabletoresidentsacrosstheborough.Wewillreducetheamountofwastethatissenttolandfill.Everyonedeservestoliveinaclean,well‐keptneighbourhood.Ourvisionisthatcleanstreets,freeofnuisancecars,graffitianddumpedrubbishwillbethenorm.Thoseindividualswhodonotrespectoursharedenvironmentandspoilourstreetsriskbeingprosecuted.Brentresidentsvaluetheirparksandopenspaces.Wewillprotectourparksbyimprovingtheirbiodiversityandtheiraccessibility.Overall,ourdevelopmentplansaimtoincreasetheamountofmaintainedopenspacewithintheborough.Ourregenerationplanswillbedeliveredwiththeaimofcreatingasustainableeconomicandsocialenvironment,providingresidentswiththeservicesandopportunitiestheyneed,whilstprotectingthequalityofourenvironmentforthefuture.Wecontinuetoenhancethepublicrealm,improvingthestateofourroadsandpavements,andincreasingroadsafety.Inaddition,thecouncilwilllobbytheMayorofLondononstrategictransportissueswhichmattertoBrent.

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EnvironmentalPolicyBrentCouncilhasitsownenvironmentalpolicytohelpguidethewaythatitoperates.Thepolicycommitsthecounciltooperateinasenvironmentallyresponsiblewayaspossibleandhasplayedamajorpartinensuringthatenvironmentalimprovementsareembeddedintheheartofthecouncil’sactionsanddecision‐making.

EnvironmentalManagementSystem ThecouncilhascontinuedtoretainexternalcertificationofitsenvironmentalmanagementsystemtotheISO14001standard.Thestandard,whichhasbeeninplacesinceSeptember2005,nowcoversPropertyandAssetManagement,theInformationTechnologyUnit,BACESandtheRegistrationandNationalityService,inadditiontoallserviceswithintheEnvironmentandNeighbourhoodsDepartment.ToachieveISO14001certification,unitsmustensurethattheirenvironmentalmanagementandimprovementworkmeetstherequirementsoftheinternationalbestpracticestandard.FollowingISO14001helpsstafftoidentifywhereenvironmentalimprovementscouldbemade,toreducethecouncil’snegativeimpactontheenvironmentandincreasethepositiveimpactthatithas.Thishelpsthecounciltoundertakeitsresponsibilitiesinamoresustainableandefficientmanner.Brent’sISO14001standardisauditedeverysixmonths,toensurethatenvironmentalmeasuresarebeingproperlyimplementedwithinthecouncil.

GreenChampionsThecouncil’sinternalGreenChampionsNetworkfocusesonfivekeyareas:wasteandrecycling,energyefficiency,waterefficiency,sustainabletransportandsustainablepurchasing.Thenetworkcontinuestomeeteverythreemonths,providingmemberswithadiscussionforumandtheknowledgeandinformationrequiredtohelpthemworkinamoresustainablemanner.Activitiesatthemeetingshavebeenengaging,fun,andinteresting,withtheoutputbeingusefulinpromotingsustainabilityacrossthecouncil.Thecomingyear(2012‐13)will,amongstotheractivities,seetheGreenChampionsproducingtheirownshortfilmwithanenvironmentalmessage,tobemadeavailableforallmembersofstafftoviewviathecouncil’sintranetsite.

WhatisISO14001?

ISO14001isaninternationallyrecognisedstandardforenvironmentalmanagement.Itprovidesmanagementcontrolsandtools,whichhelpensurethatthecorporateenvironmentalpolicyisadheredtoandthatthereiscontinualenvironmentalimprovement.Itisaninvaluabletoolforhelpingtoidentifyandavoidenvironmentalrisks,suchasensuringstaffadheretowastelegislation,forwhichfailuretodosocouldresultinsignificantfinesanddamagetothecouncil’sreputation.

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ClimateChange

Climatechangeisoneofthegreatestthreatsfacinghumanitytoday.Asaveragetemperaturesandweatherpatternsalter,thiswillaffecthealth,foodproduction,thenaturalenvironment,infrastructureandthebuiltenvironment,andtheeconomyasawhole.Homes,officesandtransportwillbecomeuncomfortableduringhottersummersandpeoplemaystruggletosleepandworkintheheat.Thechangeinclimatewillputgreenspacesunderpressure,particularlyduringhot,dryperiods;whilstwetterwintersarelikelytohaveanegativeimpactontheeconomy.Therewillalsobegreaterrisksofextremeweathereventssuchasflooding.TheGovernment’slatestUKClimateChangeProjections(2009)suggestthatbythe2050s(undermediumcarbonemissions–sothesituationcouldbeevenworse,ifwedon’treduceourenergyuse),wearegoingtohaveasignificantchangeinclimate.Londoncouldseeanincreaseinaveragesummertemperatureof2.7degreesCelsius,anincreaseinmeanwinterrainfallof14percentandadecreaseinaveragesummerrainfallofnearlyonefifthovera1961–1990baseline.Itisprojectedthat,undermediumlevelsofcarbonemissions,takingthecentralestimate,wearetoexpectthefollowingchangestotheclimateby2050:Figure1:ClimaticconditionstobeexpectedinLondonby2050undermediumemissions

Season What Quantity Significance

Increaseinmeantemperature 2.2ºC MilderwintersWinter

Increaseinmeanprecipitation 14percent

Wetterwinters–increasedriskofflooding

Increaseinmeantemperature 2.7ºC Hottersummers

Increaseinmeandailymaximumtemperature

3.7ºC Moreperiodsofextremeheat

Increaseinmeandailyminimumtemperature

2.9ºC Fewerperiodsduringwhichthesummertemperaturedropssufficientlytoenablepeopleandthelocalenvironstocooldown

Summer

Decreaseinmeanprecipitation ‐19percent

Driersummers–increasedriskofwatershortagesanddrought

Allyear Increasednumberofextremeweatherevents

Unknown Greaterfrequencyofstorms,higheraveragewindspeedsandmoreunpredictableweather

Source:www.ukclimateprojections.defra.gov.ukBrentconsequentlyhastobereadytodealwithawarmerclimate,andonethatislikelytobesignificantlydrierduringthesummerandwetterinthewinter.Immediateactionneedstobetakentobothreducecurrentcarbonemissions,toattempttolimittheextentoffutureclimatechange;andtobegintoadapttotheclimatechangethatitisnowtoolatetopreventfromhappening.Weallhavetoplayourpartinmakingsuretheextentandimpactsoffutureclimatechangearelimited.BrentClimateChangeStrategy www.brent.gov.uk/climatechangeBrentCouncilisawareitneedstostarttakingactionnow,todoallthatitcantoreducefutureclimatechangeandtobegintoadaptinpreparationforclimatechangethatitisnowtoolatetopreventfromhappening.ThisisactionthatneedstobetakenbyeveryoneinBrent,whethertheylive,workorstudyhere.Asaconsequence,astrategywaswrittenfortheboroughasawhole.ItisbelievedthatthiswasthefirststrategyofitskindinLondon,tohavebeendevelopedwithsharedownershipandtoincludeactionsforeveryone,betheythecouncil,anotherpublicsectororganisation,aprivatebusiness,aschool,acommunitygroup,oraresident.

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AClimateChangeStrategySteeringGroupwassetuptoleadtheprogressofthestrategy.ThegrouphasbeenmeetingeverythreemonthssinceitwasestablishedinNovember2010.Thegroupconsistsofrepresentativesfromanumberofpublic,private,charityandcommunityorganisationslocatedacrossBrent.Theyarealsoformedintosmalleractiongroupswhichmeetmoreofteninbetweensteeringgroupmeetings.Groupsprogressingactionsforbusinessandresidentsandcommunitygroupshaveexistedsincethestartofthesteeringgroup,whilstaseparategroupspecificallyforpublicsectororganisationsandanotherforschoolsistobesetupduring2012‐13.Afterthesuccessoflastyear’ssustainablebusinesseventafurthereventwasheldon19October2011.Over50individualsregisteredforthebreakfastmeeting,atwhichtheylearntaboutenergymanagementandweregivencarbonsavingideas.Feedbackwasverypositive,highlightingthevalueofthesemeetingsandhowusefulindividualshadfoundit.Furthereventswillbeplannedduring2012‐13.ResidentsarebeingencouragedtosigntheClimateChangePledge,committingthemselvestoafewsimpleactionsthatwillhelptoreducecarbonemissions.PledgescanbepickedupfromBrent’slibraries,downloadedviathecouncilwebsiteorcompletedonline(seewww.brent.gov.uk/climatechangepledge).Businesspledgesarealsoavailablefordownloadortocompleteonline.AdaptingtoClimateChangeDespitethewithdrawalofreportingrequirements(andassociatedrewardgrants)forNationalIndicator188(PlanningtoAdapttoClimateChange),thecouncilsawtheimportanceofbeginningtopreparetoadapttoclimatechangeandsocontinuedtoundertakeworkonthisandreportonitinternally.Thisdemonstratesthecouncil’scommitmenttoensuringtheboroughispreparedfortheclimatechangethatitisalreadytoolatetoprevent.Thisforward‐lookingstrategywillensuretheimpactsarelesssevereandthefinancialimplicationssmalleroverthelong‐term.Withevidencethatwhatiscurrentlythoughtofasbeingaheatwaveinthiscountry(likethatexperiencedinthesummerof2003)maywell,by2050,bethenorm,itisclearthatadaptationsneedtobeundertaken.Astheevidenceaboveshows,notonlydoestheboroughneedtobeabletobettercopewithhottemperatures,butalsoashortageofrainfallduringthesummerandgreaterquantitiesofrainfallingovershortperiodsduringwinter.Ifadaptationsarenotmade,then,peoplewillexperiencehealthproblemsasaresultofover‐heatinginthesummer,therewillbewatershortages,andpropertieswillbeatgreaterriskoffloodinginthewinterasaresultofhigh‐intensityrainfall.

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FloodingRiverFloodingApproximately3,800properties(threepercentofallpropertiesinBrent)areinareasatriskoffloodingfromrivers,with19percentofthesebeinginareaswherelikelihoodoffloodingissignificant.Thirty‐ninepercentoftheat‐riskpropertieshave,asaresultofflooddefences,onlyalowriskofflooding.SurfaceWaterFloodingAbouttentimesthisnumber(39,000properties)areatriskoffloodingfromsurfacewateratpotentialdepthsofmorethan0.1m;14,200homesareinareasatriskoffloodingtopotentialdepthsofgreaterthan0.3m.TheEnvironmentAgencyoffersafreefloodwarningservice,whichgivesadvancewarningoffloodingviaphone,text,email,pagerorfax.Residentscansignuponlineatwww.environment‐agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/58417.aspxorbycalling08459881188.

BrentHouseholdWaterUseWhilsttherehadbeenasteadyincreaseinwateruseoverrecentyears,residentsaretobecongratulated,asaverageconsumptionreducedslightlybetween2009/10and2010/11,bringingitmoreinlinewithaveragewateruseinLondon(seeFigure2,below).However,theaveragewaterconsumptionperpersoninBrentin2010‐11wasstill166.4litresperday.ThisisalsosignificantlyhigherthanacrosstherestofEnglandandWales.Thereisclearlymuchimprovementthatcouldstillbedonetoreducewateruseintheborough.

Figure2:Householdwateruseperpersonperdayinlitres.

Source:WaterCompanyreturnstoOfwatandcalculatedatboroughlevel.Somewaysinwhichyoucouldreduceyourwateruseinclude:

• turnoffthetapwhilstbrushingyourteeth• showerratherthantakingabath• turnofftheshowerwhilstyoulatherup• ifyoudohaveabath,sharethewaterwithsomeoneelseinthehouse• putabottleofwaterinthefridge,sothatyoudon’thavetorunthewatercoldwhengettinga

glassofwater• putacontainerunderthetaptocollectthewaterthatwouldotherwisebewastedasyouruna

taptillhotorcoldwatercomesthrough–thiscanthenbeusedtowatertheplants• waterthegardenattheendoftheday,sothatlesswaterwillbelostthroughevaporation• Onlywashfullloadsofclothesinthewashingmachineandcrockeryinthedishwasher(oruse

thehalfloadoption).Twenty‐ninepercentofhouseholdsinBrentnowhaveawatermeter;anincreasefrom15percentin2000‐01.Installingawatermetercouldwellsaveyoumoney,asyouthenonlypayforthewateryouuse.

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WhatistheCRC?

TheCarbonReductionCommitmentEnergyEfficiencyScheme(CRC)isamandatorynationalemissionstradingschemethataimstoreducetheamountofcarbondioxide(CO2)emittedintheUK.ItwasimplementedtohelpachievetheUK'soveralltargetsofreducinggreenhousegasemissionsby2050byatleast80percentcomparedtothe1990baseline.

CarbonEmissionsClimatechangeisoccurringasaresultofanincreaseinquantitiesofgreenhousegasesintheatmosphere.Greenhousegasesactlikeaglassroofaroundtheearth(hencegreenhouse),preventingheatfromescaping.Whilstsomeofthesegasesexistnaturallyintheatmosphere,sincetheIndustrialRevolution200yearsago,humankindhasbeenreleasingever‐increasingquantitiesofthem.Theincreasedgasestrapmoreheat,amplifyingthenaturalgreenhouseeffect,andcausingtheearthtoheatup.Carbondioxide(CO2)isthemostsignificantgreenhousegasreleasedbyhumanactions.Itislargelyemittedfromtheburningoffossilfuelslikecoal,oilandnaturalgas.Thisoccurswhen,forexample,electricityismadeincoalandgaspowerstations(themajorityofelectricityprovisionintheUK)andwhenwedriveourvehicles.Bytakingactionssuchasreducingouruseofelectricityanddrivingourcarsless,theamountofcarbonthatweemitwilldecrease.Thiswillenableustohelptomitigatetheextentofclimatechangeovertime.

CRCEnergyEfficiencySchemeTheaimoftheCRCEnergyEfficiencySchemeistoreducecarbonemissionsfromlargepublicandprivatesectororganisations,inordertoreducethenation’scarbonemissions.BrentCouncil,asaparticipatingorganisation,hastocollateandreportonemissionsfromitsoperations.Asfromtheendof2011‐12thecouncilhastomakepaymentstothegovernmentforeachtonneofCO2itemits.Thereis,therefore,nowadoubleincentivefor

thecounciltoreduceitsenergyuse.Firstly,toprotecttheenvironmentandsecondlytosavemoney,asthemorethecouncilcanreduceitsenergyuse,thelessitwillpayattheendoftheyear.Ithasbeenasuccessfulstart.Sofar:

• councilbuildingsemissionsreducedby18percentfrom2010/11to2011/12• schools’emissionsalsoreducedby4percent.Schoolsaccountfor52percentofemissionsso

thisisanimportantareatofocuson• streetlightemissionshavegoneupby1percentbutarestillslightlylessthanin2009‐10.

Thetotalamountsofcarbon(tonnesofCO2)emittedacrossthecounciloverthepastthreeyearsareshowninthetablebelow.Figure3:TonnesofCO2emittedeachyearacrossthecouncilforthepastthreeyears.

TotalSumof09‐10ANNUALCMPDatatCO2

TotalSumof10‐11ANNUALCMPDatatCO2

TotalSumof11‐12ANNUALCMPDatatCO2

Councilbuildings 9255 8556 6988Schools(doesnotincludeAcademies)

17215 16816 16070

Streetlights 6776 6694 6736Poolvehicles 1015 898 761

Mileageclaims 163 153 141

Total 34424 33117 30697

Source:BrentCouncil

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Thegraphbelowclearlyshowshowthecouncil’stotalemissionshavebeenreducing.Figure4:TonnesofCO2emittedeachyearacrossthecouncilforthepastthreeyears

Source:BrentCouncilIntotaloverthetwoyears,fromtheendof2009/10totheendof2011/12,emissions(excludingfromschools)havereducedby15percent.Thisisgoodprogresstowardsthecouncil’s25percentreductiontargetbetween2010and2014forcouncilemissionsexcludingschools.ThefutureoftheCRCnationallyisuncertain.However,withthefocusonfurther‐reducingcarbonemissionsacrossBrentinthecomingyearsthefollowingprojectswillcontinuein2012‐13:

• RE:FITandSalixFinanceprojects• workingwithschoolsviatheLowCarbonSchoolsproject,whichishavingfurtherresourcegiven

toit.NationalIndicator(NI)185–CO2ReductionfromLocalAuthorityOperationsThiswastheoneclimate‐relatednationalindicatorthatwasnotendedbythegovernmentalthoughitsformatwasamended.ThemeasureissimilartoCRC,butwiththeaddedmonitoringofemissionsfromtransport.TheaimofNI185isspecificallytoreducecarbonemissionsfromlocalauthorities.EnergyUseUsingenergymoreefficientlyhelpstoreducecarbondioxideemissions.BrentCouncilistakingactiontoimproveenergymanagementinitsbuildingsandtopromoteenergyefficiencyamongststaffandacrosstheborough.Work undertaken follows Brent Council’s hierarchy of energy principles: be lean, be clean, be green.Firstly,energyusedineachbuildingisminimisedbyusingsimplecontrolsandpassivefeatures(belean).This includes straightforward actions by staff and site managers and the use of energy‐efficientequipment. Simple actions such as cleaning and maintaining systems will ensure equipment runseffectively for the length of its anticipated life (be clean). When demand has been reduced to theminimum the use of renewable technologies (be green) will be considered building‐by‐building. Thisensuresthatenergygeneratedbytherenewabletechnologiesisnotwasted.Workistakingplaceatanumberofcouncilbuildings,botholdandnew,tomakethemmoreenergyefficient.AttheWestIndianSelfEffortEducation(WISE)CentreandAsianPeople’sDisabledAssociation(APDA)Centre,energyefficientT5lightingwasinstalled,togetherwithadjustmentsmadetotheboileroperationandadditionalroomthermostats,tobettercontrolheatingtothespace.Onelargecircular

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windowwhichhadbrokensealswasreplaced.Theseimprovementshaveledtoareductioninenergyuseatthissite.AnLED(lightemittingdiode)energyefficiencylightingupgradeisplannedforKingsburyResourceCentre.StreetLightingThecouncil’sstreetlightingcontractorhasbeencontinuingtoremoveoldfluorescentbulbsfromstreetsignsandministryposts,whicharelit24hoursaday,replacingthemwithenergy‐savingphoto‐cellsthatonlycomeonwhenneeded.Thisgivesa50percentenergysavingandwillalsoreducecosts.Theupgradeistobefullyrolledoutby2018,whenthecontractends,bywhichtimethelightingwillhavebeenchangedon2751streetsignsandapproximately520ministrypostsandBeleashabeacons.Bollardsarealsobeingremovedfromstrategicsitesborough‐wideandbeingreplacedwithreflectivebollards,whichdonotrequireanyelectricity.Intotal,375bollardswillbereplacedoverthedurationofthecontract.Otherenergysavingoptionsarebeingassessed,includingLED,dimmableandpart‐nightlighting;andde‐illuminationofstreetfurniture.InformationTechnologyThewidespreadandincreasinguseofIThassignificantenvironmentalimplications.Officeequipmentisthefastestgrowingenergyuserinthebusinessworld.TheCarbonTrustestimatesthatitconsumes15percentofthetotalelectricityusedinoffices,expectedtoriseto30percentby2020,witharoundtwo‐thirdsoftheenergyconsumedbyofficeequipmentbeingattributedtocomputers.Globally,ITisresponsibleforatleasttwopercentofemissions;asimilarproportiontotheaviationindustry.Greaterdemandforsoftwareandservices,however,meansITisgrowingatafasterratethanaviation.Theuseanddisposalofcomputers,serversandprintershastohappeninasustainablewayandthecouncilmustsetanexampletoitsresidentsandlocalbusinesses.Thecouncilisdoingitsbesttoensurethattheverysystemsthatimprovethelivesofitsresidentsdonotalsohaveanegativeimpactontheenvironment.Thesustainabilityagendaisnotjustaboutenergyefficiency.ITcanalsobeusedtogenerateotherenvironmentalbenefits,forexample,throughenablingremoteandhomeworking.Thestrategicobjectivesareto:

• reducetheamountofenergyconsumedbyourITequipment• reducepaperconsumption• supportenvironmentallyresponsiblehardwaremanufactureanddisposal• reducetransportrelatedemissions• workwithchangeprogrammestoidentifyandaddresstheimpactofthechangestheypropose.

TheITUnithasintroducedOneprint,amanagedprintserviceforthecouncil.Theserviceusesmultifunctionaldevices(MFDs)toprint,scanandphotocopy.Oneofthefeaturesintroducedbythenewserviceischargingforprinting,toencouragepeopletothinkmorebeforetheyprint,toleadtoreducedprinting.Itisanticipatedthattheefficiencyofthedeviceswillenablethecounciltocutitscarbonemissionsby31percentandreduceenergyusageby46percent.Theamountofprintingpaperusedbythecouncilwasreducedby4.5percentduringquartertwoof2012.ByensuringthatprintingdefaultstoduplexandgreyscaleandtheMFDsareenergyefficient,thereisareducedamountofmaintenanceandtransportrequiredandlesselectricity,paperandtonerused.ThinclienttechnologyisreplacingthetraditionaldesktopPCsacrossthecouncil.Over30percentofcomputershavebeenreplacedbypaperbackbook‐sizeddevicesthathaveamuchlowerpowerconsumptionandalongershelflife.Thedevicesalsorequirefarfewerresourcesintheirmanufacture.Whilstthinclientsolutionsrequireextensiveinvestmentsindatacentreandnetworkupgrades,thee‐wastereductions,energysavings(threetosixtimesreductiononpowerconsumption)andtheextensiononthelifeofthedevicewillgiveasignificantreturnoninvestment.

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AnewremoteworkingfacilityhasbeenlaunchedbyIT.AspartoftheflexibleworkingofferallBrentstaffcannowremotelyaccesstheirBrentdesktopwhentheyareworkingfromhomeorotherremotelocations.Thisprovidesstaffwithexactlythesamedesktopexperienceasiftheywereworkingintheoffice.Thisservicewillcontributetosignificantenvironmentalsavingslinkedtotravel.Thebulkscanningprojectiscontributingtotherecyclingofpaperbyidentifyingarchivedpaperfilesthatcouldbedestroyed.VoiceoverInternetProtocol(VoIP)isatechnologythatenablesvoicetransmissionovertheinternetasopposedtovoicetransmissionovertraditionalphonelines.IThasintroducedVoIPinconjunctionwiththecollaborationtoolsmadepossiblebyIPtechnology.Thisissignificantbecauseineithercase,tele‐workandworkfromhomeinitiatives(designedtoavoidcarbondioxideemissionsthatresultfromcommutingtoandfromwork)aremoreeffectivelyenabledandadministered,increasingstaff’sabilitytoworkfromhome.Brent’sITUnitisworkingonenablingmorepaperlessprocessessuchastheuseofelectronicsignatures,whicheliminatestheneedtoprintformssimplytosignandscanthem.Wherepossible,processesarebeingenhancedtomovefrompaperbasedformstoelectronic.BrentCivicCentreBrent’sCivicCentre,duetobeusedfromspring2013,remainsoncoursetomeetthestandardofBREEAM(BuildingResearchEstablishmentEnvironmentalAssessmentMethod)Outstanding.Tenders(forallaspectsofthebuildingandfittings)arebeingassessedthroughouttheprocesstoensurethatenvironmentalaspectsareconsideredandtheseinfluencecontractsselected.ItishopedthatoncompletionitwillbethemostenvironmentallysustainablepublicbuildingintheUK.Thenine‐storeybuildingwillbebothacommunityhubandBrentCouncil’sheadquarters,providingofficeaccommodationforover2,000membersofstaff,localdemocracy,andplacesforstaffandthepublictoeat,shopandrelax.Energyefficiencymeasuresthathavebeendesignedintothebuildinginclude:

• 250cyclingspaces,andchargingpointsforelectriccars• lowenergyzonedandsensoredlighting• lowflowaeratedtapsforwashbasinsandlowwaterconsumingtoilets• rainwaterharvestingforuseinflushingtoilets• naturalventilationmeasuresthroughoutthebuilding• sustainablysourcedbuildingmaterialsduringconstructionphase(e.g.theconcretemixusedin

thebuilding(toinclude50percentgroundgranulatedblastfurnaceslagwiththePortlandcement)willgivea33percentreductionofembodiedCO2,to4873tonnes.Thesavingof2392tonnesofembodiedCO2iscalculatedtobetheequivalenttonearlysevenyears’operationofthebuilding)

• airsourceheatpump• connectionpointstoENVACwastedisposalsystemforefficient

collectionandtransferofwaste• 180m2ofgreenroofsprovidedabovethebuildingcores• speciallysourcedplantsforgardenareas• bio‐fuelpoweredplantmachinery• treeplantersthroughoutthebuilding.

Thesemeasuresandmorewillhelptocontributetoanoverallreductionincarbonemissionsacrosscouncilbuildingsby33percent.AsthecouncilpreparesfortheimminentmovetoBrent’sCivicCentre,whereparkingwillbelimited,staff’sawarenessisbeingraisedofmeasuresavailabletogetintowork.Whilsthomeworkingandremotewaysofworkingwillfeaturestronglyinthedeliveryofcouncilservicespost‐2013,staffarealsobeingsupportedtotraveldifferently–withpromotionofinitiativessuchasseasonticketdiscounts;acycle‐purchasescheme;wideruseoflift‐sharing;carandbikepools;theprovisionofreal‐timeinformationforrail,tubeandbusdepartures;andadedicatedbusinesstravelbookingcentre.Twobus

WhatisENVAC?

Envacisanautomatedvacuumsystemforwasteandrecyclingcollections.Usingavacuumsysteminsteadofarefuseroomorwastecontainerremovesissuessuchasunpleasantodours,unsightlybins,andreducesthenumberofvehiclemovementsneededforcollection,andtheirproximitytoresidentialareas.

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routeshavealreadybeenamended,oneprovidingadirectlinktothesouthoftheborough;moreareenvisaged.InFebruary2012acouncil‐widetravelsurveywasundertaken,whichreportedsingle‐occupancyvehicletravelisstilltoohigh(53percent).Thiswillbeabehaviouralchangechallengeforthecomingyear.SchoolsIn May 2011, Brent participated in the Collaborative Low Carbon Schools service programme pilot,supportedbytheCarbonTrust.Theaimoftheprogrammewastodelivercarbonreductionandresourceefficiency in schools across England. The council was one of 43 local authorities participating in theprogramme. Between September and its conclusion in March 2012, ten schools participated in theprogramme.Theseschoolsreceivedbespokesupport toassistthemintheireffortstodrivedowntheirenergyconsumptionandtheirresultantCO2emissions.Overthecourseofthisprogrammemostschoolswereengagedsuccessfullyandonaverageachieveda14percentreductionintheirpowerconsumptionas a result of the support they received and thehardwork the schools contributed themselves. Thescheme has been so successful that the project is now being continued until March 2013, with anadditional13schools.Following investment in significant environmental improvements at St Joseph’s RomanCatholic JuniorSchool,itisnowbelievedtobeoneofthemostenergyefficientschoolsintheborough.Thisisquiteanachievementforanexistingschool,notconstructedtocurrentbuildingregulations.Theschoolhasundertakenthefollowing:

• installedsolarreflectivefilmonsouthandsouth‐westfacingfacades,whichprovedsoeffectivethattheinfantschoolnextdooroptedtodothesame

• upgradedtheirlightingtoT5tubeswithadaptorsandnewfittingswhererequired• installedsensorstocontrollightingintransientareas• solarPVpanelsfundedthrougha£40,000LowCarbonBuildingsProgrammegrantfromthe

BuildingResearchEstablishment.The bursar, teachers and pupils have been very engaged with Brent Council’s Low Carbon Schoolsproject.Forty‐five Brent schools are registered with Eco Schools. Twenty‐seven of these have achieved thebronzeaward,nineofwhichhavealsobeenawardedsilver.Thisisanimprovementonlastyear,whichsaw 39 schools registered, 21 of which achieved the bronze award and sevenwhich had silver. EcoSchoolsisaninternationalawardprogrammethatguidesschoolsontheirsustainablejourney,providingaframeworktohelpembedtheseprinciplesintotheheartofschoollife.Onceregistered,schoolsfollowa simple seven‐stepprocesswhichhelps them to address a variety of environmental themes, rangingfromlitterandwastetohealthylivingandbiodiversity.BikeItisanestablishedschemeruninprimary,secondaryandspecialschools,involvingengagementandawarenessactivities,assemblies,andlinkstootherprogrammesinBrent(suchastheschooltravelplan,cycletraining)tobringaboutastep‐changeintheattitudestocyclingtoschool.BikeItisdeliveredthroughpartnersSustrans,whohaveadedicatedBikeItOfficer.During2011‐12twelveschoolswereintensivelyengaged.Theprogrammeisdeliberatelydesignedtoselectarollingprogrammeofschoolsoverthethreeyearsoftheproject,withengagementtaperingoffastheidentifiedin‐schoolcyclingchampionsupportstheongoingsustainabilityoftheproject.Thusin2012‐13,someschoolswillmovefromthestatusof‘intensivelyengaged’to‘supported’,andinto2013‐14,tothe‘atadistance’stage.Manyeventsandactivitieshavehappenedoverautumnterm2011andspringterm2012butsomehighlightsinclude:

• acycle‐shedlaunchevent,attendedbyamemberoftheGreaterLondonAssembly,atMaloreesSchoolinNovember2011

• StJoseph’sCatholicSchoolwasthefirstinBrenttosamplethebicycle‐poweredcinemaDifferentyeargroupstookitinturnstopowerthecinemaelectricswhilstotherswatchedTintin

• StMaryMagdaleneCEPrimaryhostedaBlingyourBikeevent,wherechildrenwereencouragedtousewhatevertheycouldfindtodressuptheirbicycleinthethemeofspring.

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• inSouthKilburn,CarltonValeInfantsandKilburnParkgotinvolvedinaBikeDayorganisedthroughBrent’sBikingBoroughprogramme.Awholeraftofcycle‐relatedserviceswereonoffer,suchasCycletastic;DrBike;cycletraining;policesecuritymarkingofbikes;andthehighlightbeinganappearancefromrenownedbikestuntman,KeelanPhilips.

AnadditionalfundhasbeenmadeavailabletotheBikeItprojectfromtheNHStopurchasecycleparkingforschoolswherelackoffacilitiesisaprovenbarriertochildren’saswellasparents’andstaffuptakeofcycling.

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SustainableTransport2011to2012hasbeenaveryexcitingyearfortheSustainableTransportteaminHighwaysandTransportDelivery,withtwonewcyclingprojects(BikeItandBikingBorough)addingvaluetothealreadywell‐establishedprogrammeofcycletraininggoingonintheborough.Theseprojectshaveenabledamuchfullerandmorevariedprogrammeofactivitiestosupportcycling.Infrastructureimprovements,suchascoherentway‐findingsignage,havehelpedpromotewalking,whilstcontinuedimprovementsinthestreetscape‐makinguseoftheprinciplesinBrent’sPlacemakingGuide‐willseefutureurbanrealmenhancementsthatwillencouragemorepeopletowalk,cycleandusepublictransportastheirpreferredmodesoftransport,andwillalsoencouragerevitalisationoflocaltowncentres.ThesustainabletransportteaminTransportationengagescloselywithdesignengineerstoensurethatfurtherengineeringworkintheboroughsupportssustainabletransportmodes,andinputsintotheLIPdeliveryprogrammeonaregularbasis.KeyprojectsthisyearincludetheHarlesdenMajorScheme,andworkonthecross‐boroughproposalforacyclegreenwayfromStanmoretotheRiverThames,withneighbouringwestLondonboroughsHarrowandEaling.WalkingTheHindutempleinNeasdenhasbeengivenspecialstatusasaLondon2012touristattraction,butway‐findinghadbeenparticularlydifficultforpeoplearrivingbytube,fromNeasden,StonebridgeParkandHarlesdenstations.Anauditwascarriedoutandbespokesignageinstalledatregularintervalsonthethreeroutestoandfromthetemple.Atotalof36extrasignswereerected,withnoadditionalpostsorstreetfurnitureinstalled,inordertopreservetheurbanrealm.Thetemplealsohasatravelplanandhasinstalledastate‐of‐the‐artreal‐timetraintubeandbusdepartureinformationscreentopromotethesepublictransportoptionstoitsvisitors.CyclingCycleTrainingUK(CTUK)continuestobethemainproviderofcycletrainingwithinBrent.During2011‐12,atotalof159individualtraineesattainedBikeability,thenationalstandardforcycling.CTUKalsodeliveredtoschoolsandothergroups,with35schoolsessionsbeingdeliveredoverthethreetermsofsummer2011tospring2012.Thisenabledanadditional382childrentoreceivetrainingwhichsupportsBrentCouncil’sSchoolTravelPlanprogramme,andencouragesanearlystartinchoosingactivetravel.CTUKalsoprovidesDrBikefreebicyclerepairandmaintenancesessions.BrentwasawardedOuterLondonBikingBoroughstatus,alongwithTfLfundinginexcessof£300,000,tosupportathreeyear(2011‐14)packageofmeasuresaimedatincreasingcyclinglevelsinBrent.TheparticularfocusisontheKensalRisearea(thecyclehub).Themeasuresbeingprogressedareamixofbothinfrastructureandsmartertravelmeasures,suchascyclepromotionandawareness‐raisingevents,andcyclesafetyandsecurityinitiatives.Theprogrammeisaimedatbothsupportingexistingcyclistsaswellasencouragingnewcyclists,withaparticularfocusonimprovingthesafetyofcyclists.ProgrammedeliverystartedinAugust2011.Thefollowinghadalreadybeenachievedbytheendofthe2011‐12year:

• newcycleroutesthroughouttheKensalRisecyclehubthathavenewsignageandroadmarkings• forty‐sevencycleparkingstands(94spaces)installedintheKensalRisecyclehub• detaileddesignscompletedforanadditional53cycleparkingstands(106spaces)tobeinstalled

intheKensalRisecyclehubaspartof2012/13programme.WitharoundhalfofallcycledeathsinLondoninvolvingaheavygoodsvehicle(HGV),thesafetyofcyclistsaroundHGVsisaparticularconcern.TwocomplementaryprojectsaimedatbothcyclistsandHGVdrivershavebeenimplementedinBrentthisfinancialyear,tohelptacklethisissue:

• SafeUrbanDriving:ThroughTfL’strainingproviders,BrentCouncilprovidesthisfreeone‐day

CertificateofProfessionalCompetence(CPC)accreditedtrainingcoursetoHGVdrivers.Thecoursehasaparticularfocusonsharingtheroadsafelywithmorevulnerableroadusers,includingcyclistsandpedestrians.Thecourseincludesapracticalelementofridingabikeonthe

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road,toprovideHGVdriverswiththeopportunitytoexperienceacyclist’sview.Thetrainingcoursewaspromotedto15organisationsacrossBrentthisfinancialyear.Threeorganisationstookupthisofferandeacharrangedforbetween15and20oftheirstafftoattendthetraining.

• ExchangingPlaces:TheseeventsareaimedatcyclistsandinvolveanHGVparkedinalocation

wherecyclistscanclimbintothecabandwatchanothercyclistrideuptheleftsideofthevehicletoexperienceadriver’sblindspot.AnExchangingPlaceseventinpartnershipwithLBCamdenandsupportedbytheMetropolitanPolicewasheldjustoffKilburnHighRoadon22March2011.Travelinformationwasalsoprovided,andaDrBikeserviceandbikesecuritymarkingoffered.

Toassistinaddressingtheissueofcycletheft,BrentCouncilprovidedfreesecuritymarkingofcyclesatsixeventsin2011‐12,withthesupportoftheMetropolitanPolice.TheBikeRegistersecuritymarkingsystemisused,whichislinkedtothenationalpolice‐approveddatabase.BrentCouncilunderstandsthatthelackofcycleparkingandstoragefacilitiescanbeabarriertocycling,particularlyforthosewantingtocyclewhodon’thaveasuitablespacetostoreabikeathome.Aresidentialcycleparkingprogrammehasbeendesignedtoovercomethisbarrier.ThefirstcycleparkingtobeinstalledisasecurecycleparkingfacilityforresidentsofDebhamCourtinCricklewood.Therearecurrentlynocyclestoragefacilitiesintheareaandaneedhasbeenidentifiedthroughconsultationwithlocalresidents.ThiswillbelaunchedinAugust2012.Thecouncilworkswithlocalcommunitygroups,schoolsandworkplacestoorganiseeventsthatpromotecycling.OrganisationsareencouragedtolinkintotheBikingBoroughprogrammeofevents,andorganisebespokepromotionstopromotesustainabletravel.Fivecyclingeventswereheldintheboroughinthe2011‐12financialyear:

• aledridetotheBikeShowatExcelforyouthfromtheCricklewoodareaon15January• NorthwickParkHospitalCycleeventon13March,offeringDrBike(aqualifiedbikemechanic

givesbikesacheck‐upandundertakesminorrepairs)andcyclesecuritymarking• WembleyStadiumCycleeventon15March,involvingDrBike,acyclists’breakfast,abike

maintenanceclass,cyclesecuritymarking,andacycleinformationstall• KilburnParkSchoolCycleeventon20March,includingDrBike,aBMXshowandcycleskills

training• CentralMiddlesexHospitalCycleeventon21March,involvingDrBikeandcyclesecurity

marking.Toensurethatcyclingiswidelypromoted,anumberofotheractivitieshavebeenundertakenthisfinancialyear,including:

• BrentCouncil’swebsiteandintranetarebeingupdatedwithmorecyclinginformationincludingdetailsoftheBikingBoroughprogramme

• aleafletthathighlightsthelocationofthenewcycleroutesintheKensalRisecyclehubaswellaspromotingcyclingingeneralhasbeenproducedandthesehavebeendeliveredtoallhouseholdsandbusinessesintheHub(approximately5,000)andwillalsobegivenouttopeopleattendinglocalevents.

AspartoftheBikingBoroughprogramme,supportisgiventoCycletastic,alocalgroupofvolunteerswhohaveabikeshedoffWillesdenLaneinKilburnwheretheyundertakebikemaintenanceandrecyclebikesthatarethensold.Cycletasticalsoorganiselocalcycleevents,trainingandactivities.Plansfor2012–2013includesupportforarangeoflocalandcommunityfestivalsinBrent,includingBrentCelebratesaGoldenSummeratGladstonePark,theCricklewoodSilkRoadFestivalsupportedbytheOuterLondonFund,andaneventtocelebrateBradleyWiggins’Olympicvictories.Overthelastfewyears,thehealthsectorhasbeenpromotingthevalueofphysicalactivityasawayofmaintainingpublichealth,andaddressingtheincreasingratesofobesityandotherdiseasesinBrent.Thecouncilwillbeworkinginpartnershipwithhealthprofessionalstopromotecyclingandwalkingasahealthmeasure.AfterdiscussionwiththeHealthPromotionteamatBrentNHS,aBikeItprogrammehasbeendeveloped,co‐fundedfromBrentCouncil’sTransportationLIPfundandtheNHS,for2011‐14.

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TravelPlansOrganisationslookingtoimprovetheirenvironmentalcredentialsareencouragedtoadopttravelplans.Thesearemanagementprogrammestomakeiteasierforemployees,customersandvisitorstochoosesustainabletravelmodesforcommutingorbusiness.Thisincludeswalking,cycling,publictransportmodes,lift‐matchingschemes,vehiclepools,orevenreducingtheneedtotravelatall.TravelplansarealsoanobligationthroughtheplanningprocessforlargerdevelopmentsinBrent.InpartnershipwithourSubRegionalTravelPlanteamWestTrans,fiveofthewestLondonboroughshaveagreedtoco‐fundthepostofWestTransTravelPlanMonitoringOfficer,withtheofficerspendingonedayaweekinBrent.Theworkinvolvesupdatingthetravelplandatabase,andensuringtravelplansandtravelsurveysarereturnedpromptlytothecouncil.Anagreedsixmonthlyrollingprogrammeofmonitoring,inthespringandintheautumn,willseeapproximately50ofour200‐plusboroughtravelplansmonitoredeachperiod.Aparallelstreamofwork,spanningboththeplanningandtransportationteams,isbeingprogressedin‐housetoensureourprocessesforsecuringandloggingdevelopmentcontrol‐obligatedtravelplansarestreamlinedandeffective.

ElectricVehiclesElectricvehicleswillverymuchformthefutureofautomotivetravel.ItiscriticalthatacharginginfrastructureisputinplaceatpublicallyavailablelocationsacrossLondonandtheUK.Twofurtherelectricvehiclechargingpoints(EVCPs)wereintroducedinBrentduring2011‐12,oneinthepubliccarparkinKingsbury,theotheratTenterdenpubliccarpark,PrestonRoad.TherearenowfourEVCPsinBrent'spubliccarparks,operatingundertheSourceLondonbrand‐viaTransportforLondon.ThecouncilishopingtointroduceanadditionaltwoEVCPsduring2012‐13,inAlpertonandKenton.PublicTransportThecouncilcontinuestoseekotherbusroutechangesandextensionsinorderto:

• servetheCivicCentreandthenewcommercialandresidentialdevelopmentthatwillsurroundit;andtheotherregenerationareasintheboroughsuchasAlperton

• reachsomeoftheseveralplacesintheboroughthatarestillover400metres(aboutfiveminuteswalk)fromtheirnearestbusroute(TransportforLondon’sguideline);despitebenefittingfromthe40%increaseinbusmileageandpatronageacrossLondonsince2000

• improveaccessibilitytojobs,educationandtraining,tofurtherthegoalsofhigherandbetter‐paidemployment;andtohealthcareprovision,particularlyinviewofimpendingchanges.

AfterthecompletionoftheJubileelineupgradeattheendof2011,thelinecannowrunupto30trainsperhour.Meanwhile,theintroductionofnewair‐conditionedtrainsontheMetropolitanlinebytheendof2012willbefollowedbysimilarnewtrainsontheothersub‐surfacelines(District,CircleandHammersmith&City).Acontracthasbeenawardedforanewsignallingsystemforthewholesub‐surfacesystem,whichwillallowmoretrainstorunthanatpresent.Newtrains,stationrefurbishmentsandhigherstaffinglevels,coupledwiththeintroductionofTfLfaresandticketing(includingOyster),haveresultedinamarkedincreasesinusageofLondonOvergroundsinceitsinceptionin2007.ReliabilityisnearthetopofthenationalleagueanditsnorthandwestLondonlinesthroughWillesdenJunctionformpartoftheouterorbitalOrbiRailroute,whichwillbecompletedbytheendof2012withanextensionoftheEastLondonlinetoClaphamJunction.WembleyCentralstationbecamestep‐freewithaccesstoallplatformsintimefortheOlympicGames;andtheseventhBrentstationoutoftwenty‐nine(sevenofwhichareontheboroughboundary)tobecomestep‐freefromstreettoplatformlevel.

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Waste and RecyclingWasteisavaluableresourcethatislargelyunderutilised.Asasociety,wearelivingbeyondourenvironmentalmeansandconsumingnaturalresourcesatanunsustainablerate.Whatwedoaboutwasteisasignificantpartofhowwetreatourenvironment.Changinghowwedealwithourwasterequiresactionbyallofus.Climatechangehasrecentlybecomeakeydriverforthedevelopmentofwastemanagementpolicy.Biodegradablematerials(suchasfoodandgardenwaste)senttolandfilldegradeslowlyandproducemethane,agreenhousegasmuchmorepotentthancarbondioxide.Emissionsfromlandfillcontributeto40percentoftheUK’smethaneemissionsandthreepercentofalloftheUK’sgreenhousegasemissions.Itisthereforevitalthatwealldoingsomethingaboutthequantitiesofwastethatweproduce.BrentCouncil’sWasteCollectionStrategyThecouncilproducedandadopteditsHouseholdWasteCollectionStrategy(2010–14)(www.brent.gov.uk/stratp.nsf/pages/lbb‐152)inDecember2010.TheWasteStrategysetsboldandambitiousplanstoimprovethecollectionandtreatmentofwasteinBrent.Ourvisionisthatresidentsworkwiththecounciltoreducetheamountofwasteproduced,thenreuseandrecycleagreatervarietyofmaterials.Thekeydriversforthedevelopmentofthewastestrategyare:

• increasediversionofunsortedwastefromlandfillandreducedisposalcosts• introduceanewfocusontheimportanceofcreatinglesswaste• improvetherecyclingandcompostingperformancetodeliverbettercoordinatedservicesonthe

ground• encouragegreaterconsiderationbyresidentsofwasteasaresourcethroughemphasison

reduction,reuse,recyclingandcomposting.Thewastestrategyintroducedthefollowingtargets:

• householdwaste–therewillbenooverallincreaseintotalhouseholdwastegeneratedinBrentbetween2009/10and2014/15,despiteincreasesinoverallhouseholdnumbers

• householdwastereuse,recyclingandcompostingtarget–toreuse,recycleandcompost40percentofhouseholdwasteby2011/12,risingto50percentby2014/15andaspiringto60percentby2019/20

• diversionfromlandfill–toworkwiththeWestLondonWasteAuthorityandtheconstituentwastecollectionauthoritiestoprocureadditionaltreatmentfacilitiestodealwiththeresidualwastewhichisnotcollectedforrecyclingandcompostingandaimtodivert60percentofhouseholdwastegeneratedbyBrentresidentsfromlandfillby2014/15.

Borough’sRecyclingRateInOctober2011thecouncilintroducedawastecollectionserviceforstreetlevelpropertiesandblocksofflats.Thecomparisonoftheperformanceofthefirstsixmonthsofthenewwastecollectionservice(October2011toMarch2012)comparedwiththesameperiodofthepreviousyear(October2010toMarch2011)showsthat:

• landfillwastecollecteddecreasedby20.24percent• recyclingtonnagecollectedincreasedby68.23percent• organicsmaterialscollectedincreasedby14.86percent• overall,wastedecreasedby5.91percent.

Sowelldoneandthankyoutoyouall.However,wedostillhavesomewaytogo.Despiteareductioninthequantityofwasteproduced,Brentresidentsstillthrewout98,607tonnesofunwanteditemsandmaterialbetweenApril2011andMarch

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2012.Thatistheequivalentinweightto13,095Routemasterbuses!Thereisimprovementthough:duringthefirstsixmonthsof2011‐12,33,546tonnesofhouseholdwastewerecollected,whilst,withtheintroductionofthenewwasteandrecyclingcollectioninOctober,25,919tonneswerecollectedduringthelatterhalfoftheyear(October2011toMarch2012).Itisimportantthatwealltrytoreducetheamountofrubbishthatweproduce,byonlybuyingwhatweneed,reusingmore,andrepairingitemsratherthanthrowingthemaway.Overathird(36.86percent)ofBrent’shouseholdwastewasrecycled(20.83percent)orcomposted(16.03percent)during2011‐12,anotherincreaseonlastyear’srecyclingrate.WelldonetoallofBrent’sresidents,andthankyouforthepartyouareplayinginensuringlesswasteissenttolandfill.Figure5:Boroughrecyclingratesfor2004‐5to2011‐12.

Source:BrentCouncilDespitethiscontinuedprogress,wewerestillshortofourtargetofrecycling40percentofhouseholdwasteby2011/12.Withtheintroductionofthenewwasteandrecyclingcollectionscheme,however,therecyclingratefortheperiodfromOctober2011toMarch2012wasanaverageof40.69percent.Byworkingtogether,withallofusbuyinglessandrecyclingmore,wewillbeabletoreachour60percenttargetby2014!Visitwww.brent.gov.uk/recyclemoretofindoutmore.CouncilOfficeWasteandRecyclingThecouncil’sinternalrecyclingschemecontinues,enablingstafftorecyclepaper,cardboard,glassbottlesandjars,cansandtins,cartonsandplasticsoftypes1,2and3fromwork.WEEE(wasteelectricalandelectronicequipment)recyclingisalsoprovided,ensuringthatthecouncilisabletoadheretoWEEElegislation,byrecyclingallwasteelectricalandelectronicequipment.Batteryrecyclingpointsarealsoprovidedforbothstaffandthepublicatanumberoflocations.

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EnvironmentalImprovementBrent Council, its partners andmany Brent residents all work very hard throughout the year to helpimprovethelocalenvironment.Thereismuchtobeproudof,ascanbeenseenbelow–but,ofcourse,theworkneedstocontinueandthereis,asalways,morestilltobedone.During2011‐12618fixedpenaltynoticeswereissuedforenvironmentaloffences,28convictionsweremadeand44cautionswereissuedbytheSaferStreets’PublicHealthTradeWasteEnforcementteam.Clean‐upDaysandCampaignsThis year, fromApril 2011 toMarch2012, Brent Council, inpartnershipwith Community Payback (theLondon Probation Service) and other partners, such as the police, residents’ groups and volunteers,participatedin33projectstoimprovelocalenvironmentalquality.Theseincludedgraffitiremoval,litterpicking, painting rooms in communal parts of buildings, land restoration and cutting back overgrownvegetation. Throughtheseprojects, localareaswereimprovedandmademorepleasantforpeople touse.StreetwatchersTheprogrammeofeventsforandofficialrunningoftheStreetwatchersschemecametoanendin2011/12.However,residentsarestillabletocallintoreportissuesonthestreetsoftheborough.Fly‐tippingAnincreaseinthenumberofflytipswasseenbetween2010‐11and2011‐12inBrent.Thisis,however,stilladecreaseonthenumberclearedin2007‐08and2008‐09,ascanbeseeninthegraphbelow:Figure6:Thenumberofflytipsclearedeachyearfrom2007‐8to2011‐12.

Source:BrentCouncilFlytippingwastessubstantialamountsofpublicmoney,astheyareexpensivetoclear,takingfinanceawayfromprovidingotherservicestoresidents.PublicHealthDuring2011‐12SaferStreetsdealtwith1,800casesofdumpedoraccumulatedrubbishandotherpublichealthproblems(suchasdrainageissues,infestationsandfilthyorverminousproperties)onprivateland,whichposedarisktopublichealthoranenvironmentalnuisance.Landownersaremadetotakeactiontoremoverubbishorremedyotherproblemsinordertoprotectthecommunity.FilthyandVerminousPremisesDuring2011‐12thecouncilhadtodealwithoneoftheworstfilthyandverminouspropertieseverseen.Afour‐bedroomhouseinKingsburywaspiledhighfromfloortoceilingwithdecomposingrubbish,cat

Num

berofflytipscleared

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faeces,dozensofferalcats,andevendeadones–causingstatutorynuisancetotheneighboursandgivingoffanunbearablesmell.Aclosingorderwasissuedonthepropertyforthreemonthssothatitcouldbecleanedup.Intotal,about70feralcatsweretakenaway,15deadonesremovedand36tonnesofwastewerecleared.Itisbelievedthatthismaybethefirsttimealocalauthorityhasobtainedaclosingorderforthistypeofnuisance.PestControlandInfestationsAproactiverateradicationprogramme,targetingrathot‐spotsaroundtheborough,continuedduring2011‐12.Thecouncil’sprovisionofanon‐lineratreportingfacilityenablingresidentstoreportsightingsofratsalsocontinued.Inaddition,BrentCouncilispartoftheLondonSewersRatBaitingPartnershipofLondonLocalAuthoritiesandThamesWater,whichmonitorsandcontrolstheratpopulationwithinLondon’ssewagesystem.During2011‐12thecouncilhadtodealwith1,547infestations.AnimalWelfareMuchhasbeenachievedbytheAnimalWelfareteambetweenApril2011andMarch2012,including:

• 28dogsweremicrochipped• sixpatrolswereundertakenbyBARK(BrentActionforResponsibleK9s),London'sfirstmulti

agencyapproachtotackledangerousdogsandirresponsibledogowners• LEADS(LocalEducationandAdvisoryDogScheme),inpartnershipwithHillsideHousingTrust,

heldadoor‐to‐doorsurveyontheStonebridgeEstateNW10,on27April,2011.Thishelpedtoascertainthenumberandtypeofdogsontheestate.Freemicrochipping,advisoryinformationandbehaviouraladvicewasalsoprovidedtodogownersontheestate

• 11Mayand1June2011BBCtelevisionprogramme‘Don’tBlameTheDog’(aseriesonresponsibledogownership)interviewedBrentAnimalWelfareOfficerAngelaMoruzzi,andfeaturedBrentresidentMishakGuichard‐Foster

• responsibledogownershipwaspromotedtoresidentsthroughpartnershipdayswithBHPandMayhewAnimalHomeatNeasdenShoppingCentreon27MayandatPeelPrecinctinSouthKilburnon14July2011

• furtherpromotionregardingresponsibledogownershipwasgivenatNeasdenCommunitydayon4August2011

• afterconsultation,thecouncilintroducedDogControlOrders(undertheCleanNeighbourhoodsandEnvironmentAct2005)inearly2012.Thisorder limits the maximum number of dogs that may be taken into open spaces by one person to six;excludesdogsfromcertainsensitiveareassuchasplaygroundsandtenniscourts;andsetsoutareasoftheborough’sopenspaceswheredogsmustbekeptonalead

• inOctober2011BrentCouncilwasawardedRSPCAGoldfootprintawardforproceduresfordealingwithstraydogs.

NoiseandNeighbourhoodNuisanceThecouncilhasadutytoinvestigateallcomplaintsofnuisanceandinvestigatedover2,400complaintsbetweenApril2011andMarch2012.Nuisancecomplaintsreceivedarevariedbutthecouncilmainlyrespondedtocomplaintsregardingsmokeandodour,noisefromloudmusic–parties,pubs,clubsandcarstereos,constructionworkandDIY,poorsoundinsulationandordinarydomesticnoise.Inthisyearweresolved94percentofcomplaintsreceived.Ourpowerstoresolveissuesrangefrominformaldiscussionstoprosecutingand/orseizingnoise‐makingequipmentfromtheworstoffenders.Themajorityofcomplaintsreceivedrelatetonoisenuisancefromdomesticdwellingsandthecounciltriestoaddresscomplaintsinformallyinthefirstinstance.Onlyfourpercentofcomplaintsreceivedlastyearresultedintheserviceofanabatementnotice.

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DrainageSaferStreetsdealtwith396blockedorbrokenprivatelyowneddrainsduring2011‐12,ensuringthattheydidnotcausearisktopublichealthorenvironmentaldamage.Thiswasadramaticdropfromthe600dealtwithin2010‐11,demonstratingthesuccessofearlierworkwiththewatercompanies.ContaminatedLandBrentCouncilhasbeenimplementingitsContaminatedLandInspectionStrategysince2001.Mostcontaminatedlandisinvestigatedandremediatedbydevelopers,whomustensurethatnewdevelopmentswillnotposeahealthrisktoinhabitants.13siteswereinvestigatedforcontaminationandeightsiteswereremediatedundertheplanningprocess.Inaddition,thisyearBrentsuccessfullycompletedafour‐yearprojecttoremediate61residentialgardens‐over10,700squaremetres(1.07hectares)oflanddeterminedascontaminatedundertheEnvironmentalProtectionAct1990.Significantearthworkswereinvolved,withcontaminatedsoilbeingreplacedwithcleanmaterial.Thisphasetookfivemonthstocomplete.TheworkswerefundedbyaDEFRAgrant.Nomajor(category1)pollutionincidentstowaterorlandhavebeenrecordedsince2005.AirQualityThelinkbetweenpoorhealthandairpollutioniswellestablishedandforthelast13yearsthecouncilhassoughttoimproveairqualityintheborough.AirqualityinBrenthasgenerallyimprovedoverthistimebuttheairqualitymanagementarearemainsunchangedsinceitwasamendedin2006andthereareareasintheboroughwhereairqualitydoesnotmeetthegovernmentobjectives.Formoreinformationseewww.brent.gov.uk/eh.nsf/Air%20quality/LBB‐8.ThecouncilhasrecentlyreviewedtheAirQualityActionPlan(2012‐2015).Thefocusoftheplanremainsthesame–thereductionofnitrogendioxideandparticulatematteremissionsbelownationaltargets.AscanbeseenfromFigures4and5,below,theseareemissionsthatarestillexceedingtheAirQualityObjective(AQO)eachyear.Particulatematteremissionshaveactuallyincreasedoverthepasttwoyears.Thekeysourcesofthesepollutantsarefromtrafficandtransport,themainfocusofmanyofthemeasuresintheplan.Continuousmeasuringstationsarelocatedatthreekeylocations,wherepollutionisaparticularissue.ThesearetheNorthCircularRoad(BT4*),Neasden(BT5*)andHarlesden(BT6*).AsFigure7shows,below,in2011,NorthCircularRoad(BT4*)andHarlesden(BT6*)sitesagainexceededtheAirQualityObjective(AQO)fornitrogendioxide,althoughtherewasadecreasefromthepreviousannualmeansatallthreesites.Forthethirdyearrunning,BT5(Neasden)hadanitrogendioxideconcentrationthatcameundertheAirQualityObjective.Figure7:TrendsinAnnualMeanNitrogenDioxideConcentrationsmeasuredatAutomaticMonitoringSites

NO2(NitrogenDioxide)annualmeanexceedances

Source:BrentCouncil

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In2011,NorthCircularRoad(BT4*)andNeasden(BT5*)sitesexceededtheAirQualityObjective(AQO)forparticulatematter,asshowninFigure8,below.TheHarlesdensite(BT6)camewellundertheAirQualityObjectiveforparticulatematter.Figure8:TrendsinConcentrationsofPM10AutomaticMonitoring

PM10(ParticulateMatter)dailymeanconcentrationfromtheairqualitymonitoringstationsinBrent

Source:BrentCouncilThecouncilhasalsoincorporatedcarbonreductionmeasuresinresponsetoclimatechangeobjectives.Integrationofairqualityintotheemergingpublichealthagendaisalsoafeatureofthenewplan.

• NinefundamentalmeasureshavebeencarriedoverfromthepreviousplanincludingcontinuousairqualitymonitoringinHarlesden,NeasdenandbesidetheNorthCircularRoad,raisingawarenessofairqualityissuesandreducingemissionsfromindustrialinstallations

• Fifteenactionmeasuresdesignedtobuildontheemissionreductionssecuredbythepreviousplanandincludemeasuressuchasincreasingthenumberofsuitabletreespeciesinnewdevelopments,workingwithbusinessestoachieve10percentreductioninenergyuseandreducingtheuseoffossilfuelsincouncilbuildings.

ProgressindeliveringtheplanobjectiveswillbereportedannuallyinaccordancewiththeNationalReviewandAssessmentprocess.IndustrialProcessesThecouncilhasadutytoinspectsmall‐scaleindustrialprocessestolimittheirairpollutantemissions.Thecouncilcurrentlyregulates89processesincludingpetrolstations,drycleaners,cementbatchersandvehiclere‐sprayers.Allprocessesaresubjecttoannualinspectionsand,betweenApril2011andMarch2012,thecouncilachieveda100percentinspectionrate.Thecouncilisalsorequiredtosurveytheboroughtoidentifynewprocessesandviathisprocessidentifiedanadditionalprocessforregulationin2012‐13.

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BuiltEnvironment

Thebuiltenvironmentcanhaveahugeimpactonthenaturalenvironment.Thebuildingsector,forexample,accountsforaboutathirdofglobalenergyuse,andtheheatislandeffectiscausedbyurbanisation.ThecouncilthereforetakesitsresponsibilityveryseriouslytoensureareductioninthenegativeimpactbuildingsinBrenthaveontheenvironment.PlanningInJuly2011therevisedLondonPlanwasadoptedwhichrequiredresidentialbuildingstoachievea25percentreductionincarbonemissionsfromthe2010BuildingRegulationstarget(CSHlevel4).Oneyearpriortothis,theCoreStrategywasadoptedwithnewpolicyrequirementstoincreasethestandardofsustainabledesignandconstructionintheborough.Thisexpectsnon‐residentialbuildingstoachievearatingofBREEAMExcellent.Intheyear2011/1239majorproposalswereapprovedbythecouncil,whichcomprised:• 13residentialschemesatCSH4• sixresidentialschemesatCSH3• sevennon‐residentialschemesatBREEAMExcellent• threenon‐residentialschemesatBREEAMVeryGood• eightschemesincludedproposalforCombinedHeatandPower(CHP)• twoschoolswereextendedatBREEAMExcellentlevel.

BrentHousingPartnership(BHP)MorethanaquarteroftheUK'sgreenhouseemissionscomefromheating,lightingandpoweringelectricalappliancesinhomes.BHPishelpingBrentCounciltolowercarbonemissionsandachieveitsgovernmenttargets.BHPcontinuedtoimprovetheenergyefficiencyofthecouncil’shousingstockduring2011/12,throughthefollowingactions:

• 54homeswithsingleglazedwindowsreceivednewdoubleglazedwindows,whichwillbetterretaintheheatwithinthehouse

• 45homesbenefittedfromadditionalloftorflatroofinsulation• 116homeshadcavitywallinsulationputin• 232homeswerefittedwithanew,efficientcondensingboiler.

Theseimprovementshaveenabledthehomestobeheatedmoreefficientlyandretainheatbetter,thusreducingcarbonemissionsandsavingresidentsmoneyontheirenergybills.

Whatistheurbanheatislandeffect?

Highertemperaturesareexperiencedinurbanareasthaninmoreruralenvironments.Thisisbecausethematerialsusedinbuilt‐upareasabsorbmoreheatthanvegetation;theactivitiesinurbanareasproduceheat;andtherearefewerareasofgreenspaceandopenwaterintheseareas,whichnaturallycoolthesurroundingarea.Asaresultofthesefactors,thetemperatureincentralLondonisoften10°Chotterthaninsurroundingareas.

WhatistheCodeforSustainableHomes?www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/codesustainhomesstandard.pdfTheCodeforSustainableHomes(CSH)wasintroducedinEnglandin2007asanationalstandardandratingsystemtoimprovethesustainabilityofnewhousinginninekeyareas,includingenergyandCO2emissions;water;materials;wasteandpollution.In2010codelevel3compliancebecamemandatoryforallpublicandprivatesectornew‐buildresidences,includingflatsandhouses.TheGovernmenthasreaffirmeditscommitmenttoachievingcodelevel6–azerocarbonrating–forallnewhomesandfurtherchangestothebuildingregulationsareanticipatedtoachievethisovertheperiodto2016.

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NaturalEnvironment,ParksandOpenSpacesBrentisasubstantiallydevelopedurbanarea.ThechallengeforthecouncilistoensurethateveryoneintheboroughhasaccesstoBrent’spublicspaces,wheretheycanenjoysafe,clean,greenareaswhicharerichinwildlifeandofferavarietyofactivities.Brent’sParksServicehasbeenreducingitsenvironmentalimpactbymovingawayfrommoreconventionalannualbeddingandreplacingthisunsustainableschemewithherbaceousperennialplanting.Thisisreducingtheamountofirrigationneeded,thequantitiesoforganicwasteproduced,andthenumberofjourneysrequiredtotendtothebeddingdisplays.Aswelookfurtheraheadtothefutureandplanaccordingly,soourparksandopenspacesarebeginningtobeplantedwithdroughtresistantplants,aswestarttoadaptforclimatechange.Theenvironmentalimpactoftheborough’sbeddingdisplayswillthereforebemuchless,whilststillgivingagloriousdisplayall‐yearround.GreenFlagAwardsThenumberofGreenFlagsawardedtoBrent’sparksandopenspacesincreasedfromtwoin2008toeightin2011.TheeightareasthatheldthenationalstandardforparksandopenspacesuptoMarch2012wereBarhamPark,GladstonePark,MapesburyDell,PrestonPark,RoundwoodPark,WelshHarpOpenSpace,FryentCountryParkandKingEdwardVIIParkinWembley.Inaddition,communityvolunteersatRoeGreenWalledGardenwereawardedtheGreenFlagCommunityaccolade.www.greenflag.keepbritaintidy.org/BrentinBloomBrentinBloomisanannualcompetitionthatgiveslocalpeopletheopportunitytoshowofftheirgardeningskillsandaimstomaketheboroughmoreattractive.Residents’workplantinguptheirgardens,windowboxes,neighbourhoodsandschoolsgroundsthisyearresultedinBrentreceivingaSilverGiltforanotheryearandsecondplaceoverallintheLargeCitycategory.Thisawardgivesanassessmentofhighwaysandenvironmentalandregenerationprojectsaswellasjudgingparksandopenspaces.Inaddition,Brentwasplacedsecondinthebiodiversityandthirdinthebestfloraldisplaydiscretionarycategories.Theentrywasheraldedforpromotingtothewidercommunitythebenefitsofgardeningasahealthypastimeforpeopleofallagesandexperience.TheBarnhillConservationGroupandSalusburyPrimarySchoolwerecitedasbestpracticeexamplesofcommunitiesandschoolsimprovingtheirlocalenvironment.Seewww.londoninbloom.co.ukformoreinformation.ButterfliesPopulationsofmanyspeciesofbutterflieshavereducedinBrentandLondonduringrecentyears.However,effortstoencouragetheBrimstonebutterflytoestablishpopulationsintheboroughcontinuedatFryentCountryParkandatStonebridge.TheRingletandMarbledWhitehaveestablishedpopulationsattheWelshHarp.Forthesecondyear,asingleRingletwasobservedatFryentCountryPark.SitesofImportanceforNatureConservationThereare62SitesofImportanceforNatureConservationintheborough(SINCs).Thesearenon‐statutorysitesthataredesignatedatalocallevelbecauseoftheirimportancefornatureconservation.TheyreceivesomeprotectionfromdevelopmentthroughLocalPlanningpolicy.SomeofBrent’sSINCsareinparks,whilstothersarelocatedonotherpublicsectorandonprivatesites.Forty‐one(66percent)ofthesewereassessedasbeinginanimprovingconditionunderthecriteriaforSingleDataList160‐00(formerlyNationalIndicator197)..BrentReservoirTheBrentReservoir,whichspansacrosstheBrent‐BarnetboundaryistheonlydesignatedSSSI(SiteofSpecialScientificInterest)intheborough.TheconditionofthissitewasassessedbyNaturalEnglandin

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July2011andclassifiedasbeinginagoodcondition,duetotherebeingagoodnumberofbreedingbirdsonboththeopenwaterandthelowlandfens.FryentCountryParkAmphibians:AtthetimeofspawninginMarch2012,monitoringrevealed1,151clumpsofCommonFrogspawn;anincreaseontherelativelylownumbersof2011.Whilstthisisbelowtheaverageofrecentyears,itisconsiderablyhigherthanbeforethepondrestorationprogrammecommenced.Surveysduringthespringandearlysummerof2011recordedthepresenceoftheCommonToadatmostpondsandlargenumbersatsomeponds.TheCommonToadisaspeciesthatappearedtohavebeenabsentbeforetherestorationofthepondscommenced.TheSmoothNewtwasalsoobservedinpondsduring2011.Haymeadows:Theaveragenumberofplantspeciespersquaremetrein2011was10.8.Thisshowedasustainedimprovementoverthepastcoupleofyears(theaveragewas10.7in2010,aconsiderableincreasefromtheaverageof7.4in2009)andthehighestsincemonitoringcommenced.GrassyVetchling(Lathryrusnissolia)wasobservedinthemeadowsforthefirsttime.SEWADaySixty‐onevolunteersparticipatedinthejointSEWA/BarnHillConservationGroupeventatFryentCountryParkworkingtoimprovetheacidgrasslandandfootpathsonBarnHill.Sewaisauniversalconcept,whichinvolvesperforminganactofkindnesswithoutexpectationofreward.Itisperformedselflesslyandwithoutulteriormotive.Asaconcept,SewaisembeddedinIndiantraditions,andisactivelypromotedbydifferentculturesandfaiths‐asthecorebeliefisthesame‐tosacrificeyourtimeandresourcesforthebenefitofotherswithoutwantinganythinginreturn.DraftFoodGrowingandAllotmentsStrategyBrentCouncilundertookapublicconsultationonitsdraftFoodGrowingandAllotmentsStrategyfrom12Marchto31May2012.ThedraftstrategyunitesfoodgrowingandallotmentprovisioninBrentunderasinglevision,setofobjectivesandactionplan.Thevisionofthestrategyistoprovidearangeoffoodgrowingopportunitiesaccessibletoallpartsofthecommunityandtopromotethebenefitsofahealthylifestylewithinagreenerborough.Theaimsofthestrategyareto:

• provideefficientlymanagedallotmentsitesthatprovidegoodvalueformoneyandareaccessibletoall

• developandbroadentherangeoffoodgrowingopportunitiesavailablethroughincreasedpartnershipworking

• promotethebenefitsoffoodgrowingaspartofahealthylifestylewithinagreenerborough.AfinalversionofthestrategywillbelaunchedinSeptember2012.

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ResidentsandSustainability ResidentsplayanimportantroleinimprovingBrent’senvironmentandensuringthatpeopleintheboroughliveandworkinamoreenvironmentallyresponsibleway,treatingtheenvironment,peopleandtheeconomymoresustainably.Thecounciliskeentoinvolveandempowerindividuals,householdsandgroupsinthisagenda.Asaresult,anumberofcommunitygroupshavebeensetupandsupported,andnewinitiativesarebeingdeveloped.BrentSustainabilityForumBrentSustainabilityForum(BSF)waslaunchedon14November,2008.Sincethen,theforumhasgrowninsizeandmembershaveworkedonanumberofprojects,helpingtoraisetheprofileofsustainabilityacrosstheborough.Regularmeetingsareheld,coveringtopicsrangingfromwastetousingsocialmediatofoodgrowing.Theforum’sownsocialmediasite,www.sustainablebrent.org.uk,iscontinuingtobewellusedbypeopleacrosstheborough,enablingresidentstostayintouchwithenvironmentalissuesinBrentandsurroundingboroughs.FairtradeinBrentFollowingeightyearsofcampaigningbytheBrentFairtradeNetwork,theboroughachievedFairtradestatusinMarch2012.ThiswasalsoanaimsetoutintheCouncil’sCorporateStrategy.AllstaffarerequiredtoserveFairtradeproductsforallinternalandexternalmeetings.FairlytradedproductshavealsobeenintroducedintheservicespecificationsfortheCivicCentreandininformationrequestedfrompotentialsuppliersonstandardPQQs(pre‐qualificationquestionnaires).

Fairlytradedproductsgivepoorpeopleindevelopingcountriesachancetoworktheirwayoutofpoverty,bybeinggivenfairpricesforwhattheyproduceanddecentworkingconditions.TheactiveFairtradecampaigngroup,theBrentFairtradeNetwork,issupportedbythecouncil;tojoincontactfairtrade@brent.org.uk.

Seewww.brent.gov.uk/fairtradeformoreinformation.GreenCharterBrent’sGreenCharterwaslaunchedon6February,2012.Itoutlineshowthecounciltakestheenvironmentintoaccountinallofitsworkandsetsoutavisionofhowresidentsandthecouncilcanworktogether.TheGreenCharter(www.brent.gov.uk/greencharter)arisesfromthecorporatestrategy.ItisanexcitingnewpieceofworkthatwillmeanastepchangeinstaffbehaviourasthepolicywillbeembeddedintheBrentPerformanceManagementFramework.

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FuturePrioritiesOverthenextfewyearsBrentCouncil’skeyenvironmentalprioritiesareto:

• leadbyexample• continuetoworktowardsreducingitspersonalcarbonemissionsby25percentby2014• continuetoworkinpartnershipwithotherpublicsectororganisationsinBrent;localbusinesses;

residents;faith,voluntaryandcommunitygroupstoimplementtheborough’sClimateChangeStrategyandpreparetheboroughfortheimpactsofclimatechange

• implementthecouncil’sGreenCharter• continuetoretainBrent’sFairtradeboroughstatus• makesustainablechoicesinthepurchasingofgoodsandservices• increasethecouncil’sownrecyclingrateandreduceitsquantitiesofwaste• increasetheborough’srecyclingrateto60percent• continuetokeepstreetsclean,freeofgraffitianddumpedrubbish• continuetoimprovethebiodiversityoftheborough’sparksandopenspaces• increasetheamountofopenspaceinBrent• adoptanAllotmentandFoodGrowingStrategy• adoptaCemeteriesStrategy• consultonadraftWembleyAreaActionPlanandoptions.