1. Introduction

Perranzabuloe Parish Council (PPC) is committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment across the parish, including key areas such as Perranporth Beach, Bolenna Park, and Goonhavern Park. Recognising the risks and opportunities associated with the Climate Emergency, PPC will work collaboratively with partners, such as PACE (Perranporth Action for the Climate Emergency), to ensure sustainable practices and improve biodiversity for future generations.

PPC is committed to leading by example in addressing environmental challenges and building a sustainable, thriving community.

This policy outlines our commitment to sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and environmental stewardship in alignment with national guidelines, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), and local initiatives.

2. Key Commitments

2.1. Biodiversity and Habitat Restoration

  1. Protecting and Enhancing Open Spaces: Restore biodiversity by maintaining and enhancing wild places in Bolenna Park and Goonhavern Park. At Bolenna Park, “No Mow May” is in place. Support rewilding projects at Cligga (top end) to increase biodiversity and reintroduce natural habitats.
  2. Connecting Habitats: Work to establish wildlife corridors that connect habitats, ensuring the protection of key landscape elements and views.
  3. Tree Preservation and Planting: Preserve existing trees and promote the planting of native species. Community growing projects, such as the Wild Garden and planting initiatives near the skatepark, will enhance urban green spaces for both people and nature.
  4. Hedgehog-Friendly Practices: Create hedgehog holes in fences owned and maintained by PPC.
  5. Hedgerow Management: Ensure hedgerow management complies with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, protecting nesting birds.
  6. Chemical-Free Management: PPC is committed to not using pesticides/herbicides on assets it owns or manages (with the exception of use for the control of Schedule 9 plants under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, such as Japanese Knotweed, or where it is used to reduce material risks to asset integrity). It is looking into alternatives via Cormac and other contractors. PPC will ensure all contractors adhere to this policy.
  7. Nature and Wildlife: PPC is committed to increasing opportunities for nature to thrive on the assets it owns or manages. Environmental growth will be achieved by:
    1. Protecting and enhancing the quality and extent of the natural environment in the parish. PACE is currently working on the installation of community gardens at Ponsmere Valley.
    2. (Installation of bee bricks and bird boxes and nesting bricks will be added to any new buildings and renovation of buildings where possible.
    3. Ensuring that any planting in beds, borders and planters is pollinator friendly.
    4. Supporting the conservation of trees, hedgerows, ponds, streams and coastal habitats. PPC policy is to plant 3 for 1 if a tree is removed. Species planted are native broad leaf. Its intention is to increase tree cover on land that it owns.
    5. Have at least one councillor who fulfils the role of tree warden and attend regular training and conferences.
    6. Managing PPC assets (including public rights of way and verges) in a manner that protects and increases biodiversity.
    7. PPC has replaced its street lamps with LED bulbs and timers (off at 11pm and on at 6am) to lessen light pollution.
  8. Events: PPC has banned the release of balloon/sky lantern from PPC land and events.
  9. PPC has banned single use plastics at events on PPC land.

2.2. Addressing the Climate Emergency

In 2019, PPC declared a climate emergency and pledges to be fully carbon neutral by 2030. It has set out plans for immediate and long-term actions to reach this goal which include:

  • Encourage staff switch off electrical equipment and unnecessary lights when not in use.
  • Encourage staff to close windows and external doors when heating is on.
  • Encourage staff to minimise the use of electric heaters and fans.
  • Introduce phased replacement of LED bulbs in Council premises.
  • Introduce phased replacement of electrical equipment used on Council premises with products of maximum energy efficiency rating.
  • Switch to 100% renewable energy tariffs for electricity on Council premises.
  • No non-renewable heating sources (oil, gas fired systems).
  • Invest in electric car charging points.
  • Retrofit buildings with energy saving measures (glazing, roof insulation, solar panels, heat source pumps).
  • Introduce natural climate change solutions (such as tree planting and rewilding) on Council assets.
  • Undertake an audit in 2021 of current Council emissions.
  • Agree measures to track the Council’s carbon footprint over time following this audit.
  1. Green Energy: PPC has switched to a green electricity tariff. All new energy supplies will be 100% renewable.
  2. Energy Use: PPC will undertake an audit of its existing energy use and produce a plan on how PPC’s energy use can be reduced.
  3. Electric Vehicles: Transition grounds staff vehicles to electric and maintain the 2 EV charging points at Droskyn Car Park. Install additional charging points where feasible and if financially viable.
  4. Sustainable Transport: Support staff cycling to work by providing cycle racks at the Parish Offices and promoting the cycle-to-work scheme in any recruitment process. Advocate for the Perranporth to Newquay/St Agnes cycle paths with a commitment to tree conservation. PPC will promote lift sharing schemes (e.g. carsharecornwall.com) on its social media page(s) and website.
  5. Workplace Adaptations: Encourage remote working (where practical) and investigate virtual meetings to reduce the carbon footprint, participating in CALC consultations on virtual meetings.

2.3. Recycling, Waste Reduction, and Water Conservation

  1. Beach and Community Waste: Work with PACE to reduce beach waste, promote recycling, and discourage single-use beach kit.
  2. Waste and recycling: Encourage and promote community participation in clean-up initiatives.
  3. Keep waste to a minimum by preventing, reusing, recycling or recovering waste:
    • Ensure waste is sorted, stored and disposed of appropriately.
    • Promote and encourage recycling across the parish.
    • Reduce the production of non-recyclable resources such as laminated or plastic based publicity material. It uses rain-proof paper for noticeboard notices.
    • Minimise the amount of printing and minimise the amount of waste paper.
    • Observe our duty of care conscientiously within our waste contracts.
    • Utilise electronic communications; councillors to use links to paperwork instead of printing out.
    • Minimise pollution and prevent where possible (including light, noise, solids, liquids and chemicals).
    • Use composting facilities at relevant operated amenities including at any future allotment site.
    • Recycle all recyclable waste generated at PPC premises. PPC will install recycling bins at the Skatepark for plastic bottles and cans and is looking at initiatives for recycling across the Parish including the installation of recycling art features.
    • PPC will install a free refill water point at the Skatepark, Bolenna, Droskyn, and Goonhavern Toilets.
    • PPC offers a battery recycling point in the library.
    • Use recyclable, compostable and/or recycled products on PPC premises.
  4. Water Conservation: Promote efficient water use in PPC properties (such as replacing toilet cisterns to a low-rise flush). Encouraging staff to use water efficiently on PPC premises. Promote community water-saving initiatives. Water butts have been installed at the PPC offices for use at the Wild Child Garden. PPC will install water butts at Bolenna and Goonhavern Parks to use for watering young trees/other planting.

2.4. Compliance and Stewardship

  1. Management of Property Portfolio and Disposal of Council Land: Ensure that all council-managed properties and landholdings comply with biodiversity and environmental stewardship principles. Where feasible and financially viable, the implementation of sustainable features such as solar panels, ground source heat pumps, and LED lighting will be prioritised.
  2. Support for Biodiversity Net Gain: Actively support planning applications where applicants demonstrate measurable biodiversity net gain, as outlined in the Perranzabuloe Parish Neighbourhood Plan, which was made in 2024.

2.5. Circular Economy

  1. Sustainable Procurement: Prioritise responsible procurement by sourcing sustainable, locally produced goods and services. Avoid single-use products and prefer suppliers committed to environmental sustainability. PPC will:
    • Source materials and services locally so long as the requirements for value for money and quality are met.
    • Ensure that catering produce, including tea/coffee in the Parish Office and Library, is sourced from either local or organic, or fair trade (or other recognised certification schemes) where possible.
    • Ensure that timber, or similar products, used by PPC will be from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified sources.
    • Ensure that consumables used on PPC premises (such as cleaning products and inks) are eco-friendly, biodegradable and non-toxic.
  2. Community Initiatives: Encourage local recycling and upcycling programs. The library currently participates in battery recycling and small electrical goods. It will continue to support any further programs developed by Cornwall Council.
  3. Promoting Local Business: Support local businesses adopting circular economy practices to reduce waste and conserve resources.

2.6. Awareness, Lobbying, and Partnerships

  1. Community Awareness: Raise awareness of environmental issues and initiatives, such as Making Space for Sand and Carbon Action Network, through social media and community engagement.
  2. Lobbying: Advocate for stronger environmental protections and climate action at local, regional, and national levels.
  3. Partnerships: Collaborate with local organisations, community groups, and government bodies to deliver effective environmental programs.

2.7. Allotments and Urban Green Spaces

    1. Community Growing Projects: Actively seek land for community allotments and support existing initiatives, such as the Wild Garden.
    2. Urban Green Spaces: Enhance urban public green spaces for the benefit of both people and nature, promoting the planting of native species, planting herbs for community use, and ensuring accessibility.

3. Implementation and Monitoring

      1. Contractor Compliance: Ensure all contractors working for PPC are made aware of this policy and adhere to its principles.
      2. Regular Reviews: This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure continued alignment with environmental goals and national policies.
      3. Community Involvement: Engage the community in monitoring and implementing environmental practices, encouraging feedback and participation.

4. Policies

As PPC policies and procedures come up for review, it will take an environmentally positive stance towards wording, intentions and enforcement. It will update its investment strategy to note that its reserves will be invested wisely in sustainable activities.

5. Review

This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis.