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The wardens, wearing distinctive uniforms, will work with local
residents, ward councillors and community groups, to penalise the
minority of people damaging the quality of life for the law-abiding
majority.
Council Leader Councillor John Peach
said: “Anti-social behaviour by a small number of people who are
responsible for litter, fly-tipping, graffiti and abandoned vehicles
has a serious impact on the lives of thousands of residents. It also
damages the reputation of Peterborough as a good place to live and
work.
“We want these environmental wardens
to convey a strong message that people who damage the environment in
this way are not welcome in Peterborough. In fact, we believe that
the income generated by issuing £75 penalty tickets to these
culprits will help cover the costs of employing the environmental
wardens.
“As a local authority we have
limited power to influence global environmental issues. However, the
biggest issues for most people are associated with their
neighbourhood and we are determined to take the necessary action to
protect their immediate environment.”
The proposal to set up a team of
environmental wardens was presented to the full meeting of the city
council at Peterborough Town Hall last night (Wednesday).
Meanwhile, a city council climate
change working group set up in September 2004, will present its
recommendations to a meeting of the environment policy overview
committee on 17 October. If approved, the report will be presented
to the city council’s Cabinet in November and come to full council
in December.
The strategy aims to promote
effective measures that will reduce Peterborough’s contribution to
global warming and climate changes such as rising sea levels, flash
floods, droughts, heat waves and gales. These weather changes could
result in further problems, such as heat-related deaths, increases
in skin cancer and cataracts, a rise in food poisoning and other
sicknesses, higher levels of air pollution and an increase in
invasive insects.
The city council has already made a
commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its own
activities by 20 per cent by 2011. It is also working with other
public, private and charitable organisations to reduce their
contributions to climate change, such as by using ‘green’ energy
suppliers and improving energy efficiency in residential and
business properties.
In 2004, the city council signed a
‘Nottingham Declaration’ making a commitment to take action to
reduce its contribution to climate change. The report suggests that
significant improvements can be achieved under existing policies and
by modifying future plans.
For example, an estimated 1.38
million tonnes of carbon dioxide is emitted in Peterborough
annually, with 38 per cent caused by industry and commerce, 31 per
cent from domestic properties and 28 per cent from road transport.
Within the transport segment, private cars are responsible for 79
per cent of carbon dioxide emissions, with most cars typically
travelling less than three miles.
The city council’s Travelchoice
initiative is already promoting alternatives to ‘single-occupant’
car journeys. Other measures include the use of street light dimming
capability on the city’s parkway network, installing water-saving
devices, reducing waste and increasing recycling.
October 2006
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