Local Authority
Somerset County Council
Background of Organisation
Somerset County Council provides a diverse range of services to the public of Somerset. The County Council has been in existence for over 100 years.
Organisational Objectives
Somerset County Council's mission is to provide good quality services that are accessible, responsive and sustainable. The council general aims is to deliver and sustain economic vitality, a healthy environment, and thriving communities leading to an improved quality of life for all in Somerset.More specifically the central objectives of the Council are:
- Building a Sustainable Environment:
By promoting sustainable elements in buildings delivering 1 bio fuel led building in 4 years;encouraging renewable energy production in Somerset as well as broad-leaved aforestation leading to 10% more broad-leaf trees by 2005; strengthening an integrated flood prevention policy and using the Council's purchasing power to encourage sustainability - particularly within County Hall.
-
Waste recycling, reuse and reduction :
Through implementation of joint Best Value Waste Review outcomes and particularly by:
*Increasing household waste recycling countywide by 5% per annum.
*Increasing the provision of Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs)
*Introduce garden waste community, on-farm and central composting schemes
*Promoting corporate waste reduction, reuse and recycling including use of the County Council's purchasing power to reduce packaging.
*Exceeding Government's recycling/composting targets
- Economic Vitality
By encouraging working communities to develop participation & inclusiveness; targeting resources to 20 disadvantaged communities per year to help create 25 jobs per year; increasing community ownership of problems, measured by public participation; promoting business activity in Somerset which contributes to a sustainable economy through:-establishing Food Links countywide, and introducing an award scheme for green business. Moreover, towards this objective the Council shall encourage regeneration of the market towns in Somerset - 6 market towns targeted in 4 years; promote the diversification of economic activity in rural Somerset and development of rural business by re-establishing the Agricultural Round Table.
- Services to Young People and Vulnerable Citizens
- Schools/Education
- Increasing Community Safety
- Cultural Services
Relevant Policies, Projects & Activities
In general Somerset CC encourages better planning for sustainable development to safeguard and enhance the landscape and biodiversity of Somerset.
The Economy, Transport and Environment Department works as required with the local district and borough councils to prevent erosion of coast by action of the sea. Major activities include Parrett Catchment Project & Levels & Moors Partnership.
The Sustainable Somerset Group is a small corporate team set up by the County Council to prepare, with our community, a Local Agenda 21 - an action plan that addresses the environmental, economic and social concerns of people in Somerset. We also are working to minimise the environmental impact of the County Council's own activities, and examining ways of acting locally to help alleviate global problems.