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One of the Environmental Planning Service's objectives is to promote and improve public understanding and accessibility to all our services and encourage stakeholder participation in their design and delivery.
The aims here are to:
Encourage participation in and understanding of the service provided
The need to do this was highlighted in the service's Best Value Review, which is a scheme devised by the government to monitor local authority services and to promote best practice and high standards
This web site and information on it are just one of the stages in the process of increasing people's understanding of what we do.
Fact: The Environmental Planning Service consulted 325 organisations to get their views on the need and quality of all the services provided.
Improving access via the internet and e-mail
The service aims to make information available electronically via its web site. A plan will be developed to formalise these aims, including a three year plan to upgrade the web site to make it map-based and interactive in line with national requirements set by the Government.
Fact: The Service receives an average of 500 e-mails per day
Activities planned to promote the service
All areas of the Service are planning activities to promote what they do in order to increase understanding and involvement. Some specific examples are highlighted below:
Bringing local history to life
Revealing Cheshire's Past is a project managed by the Archaeology team to increase access to the County sites and Monuments Record. This is the database of all known archaeological sites and historic landscapes in Cheshire, dating from prehistoric through to the post-medieval period and including industrial sites and military remains
The archaeology team also produces an Archaeology Newsletter and organises the Cheshire Archaeology Day.
Fact: The Cheshire Archaeology Data has been held annually in Northwich for 12 years and each one has been a sell-out
Fact: The archaeology team's annual Cheshire Archaeology News is sent free of charge to all those on the mailing list.
Planning Development
This relates to the Service's involvement with a number of organisations, including planning applicants, consultants, agents, parish councils and district councils in relation to planning development.
The improvement plans involve a range of measures, including the production of a development service charter, an enforcement protocol and a complaints procedure.
Fact: In 2002 the Service issued around 4,000 neighbour notification letters, informing local residents of planning applications that are being determined.
Co-ordinating environmental work in Cheshire
The Service plays a central role in coordinating environmental work across the county, with representatives sitting on the Sustainable Cheshire Forum - a representative body of 65 organisations working to improve the environment.
This year (2003) the Service published an Environmental Strategy for Cheshire, which has formed the element of the Cheshire Community Strategy - a vision for the economic, social and environmental well-being of Cheshire produced in consultation with the community.
Fact: The Service was integral in setting up the Sustainable Cheshire Forum in 1995 and has provided representative officers to take part in the Forum's meetings since 1996
How you can help
Eco audit is a project based within the service that aims to encourage all organisations in Cheshire to improve their environmental performance
Trained community volunteers carry out the audits. A range of sites are set to be audited, including health centres, small businesses, light industry, village halls and schools. To find out more contact Michele Burrow on 01244 603125
Fact: The 500th Eco audit has been completed by trained volunteers in Cheshire.
Helping the community
The Service works with partners and the community and has a small grants and contributions fund to help environmental projects in Cheshire, with the grants awarded according to the Service's chosen priorities for the year. To find out more contact David Blackburn on 01244 603164
If you require further information please contact the Environmental Planning Service, 01244 603102
Contact or visit the following web sites:
www.cheshire.gov.uk/eco
www.cheshire.gov.uk/ecoschools
http://www.cheshirerenewables.org.uk/
www.sustainablecheshire.org.uk
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