Safeguarding our Environment
Otley Town Council is committed to improving and protecting the environment of the Town.
As the initial step the Town Council has been the first council at this tier of government in England to sign the Aalborg Charter and Commitments.
The Commitments are very wide ranging and are summarised below to allow readers to understand the importance of the council's commitment. Within the first year, from 28th February, the Council has to produce a Base Line Review of where it stands currently on each of the commitments. Then after each second year the Council has to produce and update the review. This will enable all readers to check the progress of the Council against its commitments.
The Council is of the view that if the commitments are to be effective then the whole community must have the opportunity to be involved and understand the issues on a local and global basis. The Council subscribes to the approach that one must 'Think global and Act local.'
It is increasingly clear that the actions and choices which each of us make on a daily basis are having both local and global impacts. Accordingly, the Council will continue to lead the way in the Town on environmental issues, both within its own practices and by providing opportunities for the community to improve its knowledge of issues and how to access advice.
The newsletter of the Council, Otley Matters, which is issued quarterly to all residences in the Town and which is available to read on this website, will contain articles with advice and information as well as updates on Council environmental days.
Aalborg Commitments
Further to the endorsement of the Aalborg Charter Otley Town Council signed the charter on 28th February 2007 and has committed to the Aalborg Commitments, the principles of which are as follows:
We are committed to:
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energising our decision-making processes through increased participatory democracy
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implementing effective management cycles, from formulation through implementation to evaluation
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fully assuming our responsibilities to protect, to preserve and to ensure equitable access to natural common goods
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adopting and facilitating the prudent and efficient use of resources and to encouraging sustainable consumption and production
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a strategic role for urban planning and design in addressing environmental, social, economic, health and cultural issues for the benefit of all
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recognising the interdependence of transport, health and environment and are committed to strongly promoting sustainable mobility choices
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to protecting and promoting the health and wellbeing of our citizens
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creating and ensuring a vibrant local economy that gives access to employment without damaging the environment
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securing inclusive and supportive communities
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assuming our global responsibilities for peace, justice, equity, sustainable development and climate protection.
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Signed and sealed on behalf of Otley Town Council by the: |
Town Mayor (2006-2007), Councillor Norman Harrison, signing Aalborg Charter
Further information on Aalborg can be found at www.alborgplus10.dk
Why Bother Day 3rd March 2007
On Saturday 3rd March the Town Council ran the first of its environmental days at the Civic Centre.
It was a fun, informative and busy day that involved the community and provided excellent information on environmental issues.
The council was fortunate enough to have Dr. Sanjida O'Connell act as the main lecturer and presenter. Dr. O'Connell is a zoologist by training with a wide range of knowledge and experience in environmental matters. As a scientist she has presented and produced a number of TV science programmes as well as writing on a broad range of related scientific issues.
Dr Sanjida O'Connell
The Day began with a fun childrens' game run by the charity Groundwork. The game is called 'Sort It!' and teaches children in a light hearted way about recycling issues. As well as playing the game the children learned to make toys from recycled articles. Fresh from this fun the children happily listened to Dr O'Connell as she took them through recycling problems - their knowledge of the problems of disposable nappies was intriguing!
When the talk and games were over Dr O'Connell handed out the Council prizes to the children of Westgate Primary School whose essays on recycling had been chosen as the best from all the entries at the school. The books on natural history given as prizes will undoubtedly lead them into even more pleasure in learning about wildlife. Then the Council awarded to the Head Teacher, Rhona Bignal, a certificate and a cheque to go towards an environmental project at the school.
At lunch time the Leeds City Council officer, Kerry Fieldhouse, gave an entertaining talk on the lives of amphibians. Kerry is gaining a reputation for her skill in making amphibians interesting and delightful---undoubtedly ponds will be saved or created as a result of her talks.
After lunch Dr. O'Connell gave the first of her two lectures. To an audience in the Main Hall she explained the contents and the environmental impact of the average, high street, fast food, meat burger. It was a fascinating insight, with information which was both surprising and somewhat discomforting. Question time showed that she had struck a cord with her audience as they quizzed her on the details and what options were available.
To assist the audience consider the options the council laid on veggie burgers with organic relish, in rolls with organic flour and of course, in a Fairtrade town, they were washed down with Fairtrade tea and coffee. The supermarket which supplied all but the rolls prefers to remain anonymous and their wishes have to be respected, but the thanks of the council are expressed here. Nor must one forget the efforts of the Friends of Otley who with their usual humour and hard work managed to cook and serve a surpising number of burgers and drinks to the willing audience and hungry stall holders.
Throughout the day stalls in the lecture hall buzzed with interest as some 17 organisations provided information to visitors on a huge range of environmental issues. The networking between the groups was intense and will lead to active working partnerships to the benefit of the community and its environment. Outside the Centre, Metro showed off one of their modern buses and encouraged thoughts on the use of more public mass transport. The Council expresses here its thanks for the efforts and time of the Metro officers involved.
In early evening Dr. O'Connell returned to the Main Hall to deliver her key note speech.
Her topic was timely and thought provoking, as she addressed the carbon emmissions from the food on the average dinner plate.
At a time when many people are actively trying to reduce their carbon footprint it was most interesting to hear why one must not overlook the impact from food. Most of the time we focus upon transport and housing energy impacts. Yet, as Dr O'Connell demonstrated by her well researched lecture, the issue of food production cannot be ignored if our carbon footprints are to be reduced. Once again the questions revealed how she had caught her audience and encouraged them to think more deeply about this complex issue.
By the end of the Day it was clear to all who had attended that it is essential that we all do bother about our environment and that of the planet.
Watch out on this site and in the local media for information on the developing series of events by the council on environmental issues and natural history.
Kate Stanley of Leeds City Council encouraging composting and recycling
Friends of Otley Community prepare & serve Fairtrade & environmentally friendly burgers
Pupils and head teacher, Rhona Bignal from Westgate Primary School after receiving their prizes from Dr. O'Connell for their contribution to the Why Bother Day
