Action Plan (Part 2)

Abbreviations Used

ADAS Agricultural Development & Advisory Service BDB Bishop David Brown School Comm Groups Community Groups COTAC Chamber of Trade and Commerce DWI Drinking Water Inspectorate EA Environment Agency EASY Environmental Action in Surrey Schools GAP Global Action Plan Govt. Central Government HDRA Henry Doubleday Research Association HRA Horsell Residents Association ITF International Tree Federation KCS Kingfield Conservation Association LA21 Local Agenda 21 MAFF Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food MVS Mayford Village Society MWDHS Mayford & Woking Village Historical Society NGO Non-Government Organisation Prof Bodies Professional Bodies Res Assoc Residents Associations SCC Surrey County Council SCRAPP Surrey Community Recycling and Play Project SVSC Surrey Voluntary Services Council SWT Surrey Wildlife Trust TEC Training and Enterprise Council WBC Woking Borough Council WVFCA Wey Valley Fisheries Consultative Association WCUG Woking Cycle Users Group WMACC Woking Museum & Arts and Crafts Centre

Notation

Those detailed in the Who By column have been identified as having a role to play in achieving the relevant Action. Where the organisation/group/individual has been bolded, this indicates that they have pledged their commitment to achieve the action within the given timescale.

Timescale

now / short 1-3 years medium term 3-5 years long term 5-10 years

Woking Local Agenda 21 Action Plan

1: A strong sense of community with responsibility to each other and the environment at the local and global level

Action	Who By	Timescale	Comments
1. Develop a stronger sense of community in Woking e.g. Churches Together, Parish Magazines, Earth Sunday.	Churches, Groups, Organisations	now	Churches are already involved with community development.
2. Raise awareness of the interdependence of people and the environment and to link personal actions to community and global impact.	LA21	ongoing
3. Publicise the Woking LA21 Vision.	LA21	now
4. Co-ordinate actions by local groups under the LA21 umbrella and to always maintain a balanced and unbiased view.	LA21, WBC	now
5. Encourage local involvement.	MVS, HRS, MWDHS, KCS	now
6. Promote LA21 aims to businesses employees and encourage environment friendly practices	Business	Annual Targets	Good potential to spread involvement.
7. Include list of main Woking businesses who support this Action Plan to encourage others and provide basis for future actions to be agreed.	Businesses	now
8. Encourage businesses to support/sponsor quality of life activities/environment schemes etc..	Businesses	now	Does this quite a lot
9. Work in partnership to achieve LA21 aims and ensure aims reflected in other organisations.	Businesses	now	TEC suggestion.

2: A healthy environment with clean air, water and soil with no avoidable light and noise pollution

Action	Who By	Timescale	Comments
1. Extend air quality assessment particularly from traffic.	WBC	now
2. Establish and publicise reporting mechanisms for air and water pollution monitoring which are readily accessible and comprehensive to non-specialised people.	WBC, SCC, EA	now	Applies also to Vision 7.
3. Ensure that all Environmental Protection Act 1990 authorised premises fully comply with emission standards.	WBC	now	Link with adjacent Boroughs. Legislation is already being complied with.
4. Raise public awareness of sources of air pollution and hence individual's responsibilities e.g. road vehicles, energy source, bonfires.	LA21, Schools, SCC, WBC, Business, GAP, Res. Assoc.	now
5. Investigate the setting up of a reporting system for all GP surgeries and hospital admissions departments in Surrey to record cases of asthma and respiratory illnesses and publish annual figures.	Com. Health Council, LA21,Surgeries, SCC, Area Health Authority, Hospitals,	now	Applies also to Vision 7.
6. Set up and publicise Air and Water Quality Information telephone helplines to give advice on effects of pollution on health.	WBC, EA, Water Co's, DWI, SCC	now	Also applies to Vision 7. DETR helpline/Surrey Web.
7. Encourage review of licences to discharge harmful substances into water or onto land where drainage will contaminate water bodies.	WBC, EA, WVFCA, COTAC	now
8. Raise public awareness of potential pollution from domestic use and disposal of toxic chemicals, e.g. garden pesticides, DIY solvents, engine oil.	LA21, WBC, Garden Centres, DIY Stores, Garages, SCC	now	Applies also to Vision 10. Gardening for Life Campaign 1996.
9. Raise public awareness of responsibility for the use of toxic agents in agriculture, horticulture and other businesses.	LA21, Garden Centres, MAFF, ADAS, SCC	now
10. Promote "Bag It and Bin It" campaign for problem wastes like sanitary protection, nappies and fat.	Water Co's, GAP, LA21, WBC, Businesses	now	Applies also to Vision 10.
11. Promote the provision of adequate sewerage treatment plants in line with developments.	WBC, EA, LA21, Water Co's, SCC	now	Applies also to Vision 10.
12. Promote wise use of water by all members of the community.	LA21, Schools, GAP, WBC, Business, Water Companies	now
13. Encourage water economy strategies for schools and public buildings.	SCC, WBC, Water Co's, Schools	now
14. Promote the appreciation of aquatic ecosystems in the planning process e.g. effects on flood plains and possible toxic run off.	WBC, EA, Water Co's, LA21, WVFCA	now
15. Provide guidance for water economic design for developers and builders seeking planning permission.	WBC, Water Co's, SCC	medium	Encourage such designs for planning permission.
16. Promote the development and use of domestic and commercial appliances which recycle water or re-use "grey" water.	WBC, Water Co's	medium
17. Minimise leaks in water supply along mains and within customers properties.	Water Co's, Water Users	now
18. Raise public awareness of the short and long term impact of excess abstraction of water on rivers and other wetland habitats.	LA21, Schools, Business, GAP, WBC, SCC	now
19. Provide annual statistics of water pollution incidents in Woking Borough and consents in operation.	EA	now	Applies also to Vision 7.
20. Lobby for the introduction of compulsory sound insulation testing in new residential buildings.	WBC, Residents Groups	medium
21. Encourage the use of noise-reducing porous asphalt wherever possible.	WBC, Residents Groups, SCC	now
22.Minimise impact of noise through the planning process.	WBC	now
23. Set up fixed noise monitoring sites in Woking Borough and publish annual results.	WBC	long	Applies also to Vision 7. Currently financially unfeasible.
24. Raise awareness of employers and employees to the health problems of noise levels in the work environment and to reduction and protection measures.	WBC, COTAC, All employers	now	Applies also to Vision 7.
25. Raise awareness of intrusion of flood lights and security lights and seek methods to reduce impact.	DIY Stores, SCC, Manufacturers, Fitters, Residents	short
26. Breast-feeding friendly initiative.	LA21, Health Services, WBC		Applies to Vision 10.

3: A variety of local businesses, appropriate to the area, to provide local needs and high levels of employment. Provision for flexible working hours and use of communication technology to reduce the need to travel

Action	Who By	Timescale	Comments
1. Maintain employment in Town Centre by ensuring healthy range of facilities.	SCC, WBC, Businesses		Town Centre Management or Action Plan.
2. Provide high quality staff training.	Businesses, COTAC		Consider Investors in People promotion.
3. Encourage part-time working to spread peak hour travel and encourage staff to use cycles and public transport.	Businesses, COTAC		Include in company transport plan.
4. Encourage flexible hours working to reduce peak hour travel.	Businesses	now
5. Encourage use of new technology to reduce need to travel.	Businesses	now
6. Develop "lifestyle centres" to encourage teleworking.	TEC		Epsom doing this.
7. Develop IT initiatives in Maybury and Sheerwater.	TEC etc.
8.Investigate potential for flexi working/travel wise by firms to identify options	TEC	Survey out early 1998	Discuss with TEC.

4: Adequate, acceptable, well designed housing for all ages for both rented and privately owned accommodation

Action	Who By	Timescale	Comments
1. New housing should be located near to community facilities where possible	WBC, LA21	short	Applies also to Vision 5 and Vision 9
2. Woking Housing Strategy to address these issues.	WBC	medium

5: Community facilities for all ages - shops, schools, sports, leisure, welfare and health - available at the local level

Action	Who By	Timescale	Comments
1 Sports Hall at Bishop David Brown School.	BDB, WBC, Woking Athletic Club.	National Lottery Bid	Being delivered W/SCC.
2. IT Learning Centre at Bishop David Brown.	Sheerwater/Maybury Partnership.	October 1997
3. Promote implementation of safe routes to schools, to provide safe cycle routes to all applicable schools.	WCUG/WBC	now	Applies to Vision 9.
4. Facilities should be located near residential areas or be accessible by public transport.	WBC	short	Also applies to Vision 4 and Vision 9.
5. Oppose out of town development which threatens town/village centres.	LA21, Business	medium	Victoria Wine share this aim.
6. Provision of community centres throughout Borough.	WBC	medium
7. Engender community spirit and social cohesion through leisure: reducing anti-social behaviour, improving the quality of life for residents.	WBC	medium

6: Fair opportunities for education, jobs, culture, recreation, leisure for all sections of the community

Action	Who By	Timescale	Comments
1. Businesses to promote fair opportunities for jobs.	Businesses	medium
2. Sheerwater/Maybury partnerships.	WBC/Partnership	medium
3. Achieve greater equity of access to leisure facilities and programmes, targeting ethnic minorities, people with special needs, young people, active retired people and dependent elderly people.	WBC	medium	Woking Leisure Strategy.
4. Seek to raise the number of people participating in leisure and to encourage frequent and continuing participation throughout life.	WBC	medium	Woking Leisure Strategy.
5. Develop measures which alleviate the problems of the economically disadvantaged.	WBC/Partnership	medium	Woking Economic Development Strategy.
6. Provide help and support to small firms.	WBC, Business Link, Business Enterprise	medium	Woking Economic Development Strategy.

7: Access to information and involvement in decision making processes available to all members of the public

Action	Who By	Timescale	Comments
1. Allow public speaking at Council Committees.	WBC	short
2. Develop Village Liaison Groups.	WBC	short
3.Provide a register of environmental information for public access.	WBC	short
4. Incorporate where appropriate comments from the Local Agenda 21 group in Council Committee reports.	WBC	short
5. Allow residents to place petitions before Council Committees.	WBC	short
6. Ensure that local residents are consulted before implementing major project.	WBC	short

8: People feel secure from crime and persecution

Action	Who By	Timescale	Comments
1. Promote secure cycle parking facilities where appropriate.	WCUG	now
2. Promote planned cycle routes and facilities in attractive and well-lit areas, to discourage crime.	WCUG	now
3. Develop activities and community facilities for young people.	SCC, WBC, LA21, Youth Organisation	short	Applies to Vision 5.
4.Develop and extend CCTV to village centres.	WBC	medium/long
5. Encourage and develop the "Neighbourhood Watch" scheme.	WBC, Surrey Police	medium

9. A comprehensive choice of transport systems and access so road vehicles do not dominate and it is safe to walk and cycle

Action	Who By	Timescale	Comments
1. Promote events/campaigns.	LA21, Govt, SCC, WBC, WCUG	now	National Cycle Week, Green Transport Week etc.
2. Promote Global Action Plan in Woking.	LA21, WBC, Households	now	Already agreed.
3. Promote SCC Travelwise Campaign.	LA21, SCC, WBC	now
4. Promote Woking Rail Hub.	WBC, SCC, LA21	now	Project underway.
5. Review Woking Local Plan to ensure policies reduce the need to travel.	LA21	now	Comments made. Need to follow up and prepare for Public Inquiry.
6. Examine proposals which increase the need to travel and support developments which seek to reduce the use of the private car.	LA21	now	Limited resources.
7. Resist retail and other major developments outside of Town or Village Centres and secure the vitality of existing Village Centres.	WBC, Village Soc, Local Business Assoc, MVS, HRA	now
8. Work towards promoting reduced car parking provision for new developments.	SCC, WBC	long
9. Investigate road pricing and pricing structure for parking in Town Centre.	SCC, WBC, Other Districts, Govt.	medium
10. Promote initiatives to improve public transport (and identify).	Bus Operators, Railtrack, WBC, SWT Trains, SCC	now	SCC could co-ordinate range of projects. Consider funding ideas.
11.Lobby for tax changes to discourage use of large lorries/cars.	Govt, SCC, WBC	now
12. Promote improved cycle facilities in Woking, including a cycle network, cycle parking.	LA21, WBC, Individuals, WCUG, SCC	now	Cycle network being developed.
13. Lobby for increased spending on cycling, walking and public transport.	LA21, WBC, Individuals, SCC, Govt, WCUG	now	TPP is key. Need to set targets for spending.
14. Promote new bus services in Woking and introduction of more school buses, mini buses.	Bus Operators, WBC, SCC	now	Movement Study recommendation.
15. Introduce bus priority measures, such as bus lanes.	Govt, SCC, WBC	medium
16. Promote improved pedestrian facilities in Woking, e.g. traffic calming, road safety.	LA21, WBC, SCC, Private, MVS, HRS	medium
17. Promote Safe Routes to School campaign.	SCC, WBC, Schools, LA21, WCUG	now
18. Promote improved vehicle efficiency, clean fuel.	Govt, SCC	now
19. Promote introduction of gas powered vehicles and service station in Woking.	WBC, SCC, Business & Bus Operators	now
20. Lobby for roadside spot checks on all kinds of vehicles.	Police, WBC, Vehicle Inspectorate	now	Publicise DoT smoky vehicle hotline.
21. Promote Company Transport Plan for Woking Council and other businesses.	LA21, WBC, SCC, Business	medium	SCC have put draft proposal new guidance due out from Transport 2000.
22. Promote working from home.	All employers, employees, LA21, WBC, SCC	long
23. Publicise (information and marketing) public transport.	SCC, Public Transport Operators, WBC	medium
24. Raise public awareness of road vehicle pollution and how this can be minimised.	LA21, GAP, SCC, WBC, WCUG	now	Leaflets, Transport Week.
25. Publicise issues in press, newsletter etc.	LA21, WBC, SCC	now	A start has been made.
26. Lobby for improved provision for bikes on trains.	WCUG	now
27. Lobby for the safety of cyclists to be considered in road design.	WCUG	now	Sustainability Indicator would be a lower accident rate.
28. Promote reduced miles used for goods distribution.	Businesses	medium

10: Resources e.g. energy, water and all types of materials, are used efficiently, waste is minimised and materials

Action	Who By	Timescale	Comments
1. Review Waste and Borough Local Plans to promote waste minimisation.	WBC, LA21, SCC	now
2. Encourage community composting and promote the hierarchy - home composting, community composting, kerbside and civic amenity collection to avoid transporting green waste.	Comm Groups, Res Assoc, LA21, MVS, HRA, SCC	medium
3. Encourage provision of central composting facilities, where possible.	WBC, SCC, LA21	medium
4.Consider the purchase of a shredder for community composting.	WBC, LA21, SCC	medium	Investigate use of future recycling SCA's.
5.Promote composting of organic kitchen waste and provide composting bins at reduced charge.	WBC, LA21, MVS, GAP, Schools, HRA	now
6. Discourage bonfires to avoid air pollution and to re-use material by composting.	WBC, LA21, GAP, Local Groups	now
7. Provide public with information on composting particularly the benefits.	HDRA, WBC, GAP, Nurseries, SCC	short	Part of green gardening campaign.
8. Investigate introduction of anaerobic digestion of waste and/or sorting plant (MRF).	WBC, SCC	short	Discuss with neighbouring authorities and private sector.
9. Minimise export of waste from Woking.	SCC	medium	Waste Disposal Strategy.
10. Increase scope of kerbside collection e.g. green waste.	WBC, SCC	medium
11. Review recycling provisions e.g. extend to village halls.	WBC, Schools	now
12. Oil care campaign/oil banks.	EA, WBC, SCC	short	All sections below contribute to review of WBC Recycling Plan.
13.Aluminium foil banks.	WBC, SCRAPP, SCC	short
14. Increase range of recyclables to include steel cans.	WBC	medium
15. Assess old landfills and minimise waste movements.	SCC	short
16. Look at collecting recyclables from businesses.	LA21, SCC, WBC	short
17. Promote re-use of carrier bags - survey of retailers.	LA21, GAP, Business	now
18. Promote reduction in excess packaging.	LA21, GAP	now	Measured by "Waste for Need" in Woking.
19. Promote "Wasting Less in Woking".	WBC, LA21, GAP	short	Published in February 1997.
20. Promote purchase of recycled products by the public.	WBC, LA21, GAP, SCC	medium
21. Promote of good/best practice of waste minimisation by businesses including Surrey Waste minimisation.	LA21, Govt, WBC, SCC	now
22. Promote Waste Exchange - Individual companies or within business parks.	WBC, SCC	now
23. Target one Woking Business Park for waste reduction initiative.	WBC, SCC	short
24. Promote businesses that have produced their own Waste Plan.	WBC	medium
25. WBC to use more recycled materials for own operations.	WBC	short
26. Promote use of recycled materials for road and building construction.	SCC/WBC	short
27. Develop waste and recycling environmental action plans within schools.	WBC, SCC, Schools	now	SCC has already set up an Environmental Action in Surrey Schools Project where we can co-ordinate these efforts.
28. Encourage energy efficiency strategies for schools and public buildings.	WBC, SCC	now
29. Promote renewable energy sources where possible e.g. solar panels.	WBC, LA21, SCC	long
30. Promote energy saving in homes and businesses and promote Energy Advice Centre.	WBC, LA21, Business	now	Include information on grants.
31. Promote housing energy efficiency strategies in Council and other social housing.	WBC	now
32. Provide information on energy saving for householders and small businesses so that energy efficiency is considered when making key decisions.	WBC	now
33. Provide guidance on energy efficiency design for developers and builders seeking planning permission.	WBC	medium	Encourage such designs for planning permission.
34. Set up monitoring schemes to determine progress to reach specific targets in each usage area.	WBC, LA21	now
35. Publicise the results of monitoring both locally and nationally and press for adoption of energy efficiency nation-wide.	WBC, LA21, Govt	medium
36. Raise public awareness of litter picking.	LA21	short	Participation in Keep Britain Tidy Campaigns.
37. Raise public awareness of recycling opportunities for toner cartridges and equipment.	LA21, GAP, WBC, SCC, Business	short	Information Recycling Directory and information included in GAP packs.
38. Promote breast-feeding.	LA21, WBC, LHA's	medium	No packaging waste.
39. Encourage business to reduce waste and recycle more.	Business, LA21, WBC

11: A valued and protected natural environment with wide biodiversity and variety of landscape in the countryside with areas of public access. An appreciation of green spaces within built-up areas and features of heritage, culture and architectural importance

Action	Who By	Timescale	Comments
1. Encourage business and other "non-environmental" organisations to participate in environmental action.	LA21, WBC, SCC	medium
2. Increase numbers of individuals working for the local environment by practical action.	Voluntary Groups, LA21, WBC, Govt, SWT/MWDHS, SCC	medium
3. Set up/support increase of participation in partnership projects under LA21.	LA21, WBC, SCC, Individuals	short
4. Protect and enhance rights of way network whilst avoiding undue pressure on wildlife and habitats.	WBC, SCC, SWT, Rambs Assoc, Local Groups, LA21	now
5. Establish minimum river flows, restore flooding for wetland habitats and management of water levels in rivers and Wey Navigation.	EA	ongoing
6. Practice non-chemical management on road sides and municipal properties where possible.	WBC, SCC	medium
7. Adopt wildlife verge policies and wildlife and environmentally friendly management policies on other operational and service land where possible.	WBC/SCC	now
8. Encourage greater protection of existing open space in urban areas, where appropriate.	WBC, Res Assoc, SCC, LA21, MVS, HRA	short	Local Plan.
9. Create new open spaces and wildlife habitats on waste land, where appropriate	Local Groups, WBC, SWT, SCC, Developers	short	Local Plan.
10. Consider the adoption of overall tree strategies and encourage tree and woodland planting and maintenance.	WBC, Tree Wardens, ITF, Residents, Local Groups	medium
11. Maximise tree protection from damage/loss due to development, utilities, vandalism.	WBC, Tree Wardens, Local Residents, Amenity Groups, SCC	short
12. Ensure good practice on all public service contracts e.g. civil engineering.	WBC/SCC	short
13. Set up "Pond Guardianship" scheme for local groups.	WBC, SWT, Local Groups	short	e.g. report problems, monitor wildlife and pollution, practical management.
14. Encourage gardens for wildlife.	LA21	now	1998 Gardening for Life Campaign.
15. Provide resources for groups and individuals to participate in local environmental activities.	WBC, Govt, EA, SCC	short
16. Encourage and support community and wildlife projects.	WBC, SCC, LA21, Local Organisations, Residents	short
17. Provide information to public, individuals and local groups on environmental matters.	WBC, EA, Central Govt, SCC	short
18. Encourage schools to participate in Outside Classroom initiatives.	WBC, Schools, SCC, LA21	short
19. Encourage school projects for monitoring ponds and streams for biodiversity and pollution effects.	WBC, SWT, SCC	short	Follow on from Woking Pond Survey, use of School Pond Action Pack (published WBC).
20. Raise public awareness of the importance of the water cycle and wetland habitats.	WVFCA, SWT, SCC	short
21. Monitor wildlife and habitats and publish records at regular intervals.	WBC, SWT, SCC	now
22. Encourage quality of design by planning policy guidance and design competitions/awards.	WBC, Prof Bodies, Amenity Soc	short/medium	Town Centre Development Guide. Residential Development Guide.
23. Use grants, conservation area advisory committees to enhance and control inappropriate changes to conservation areas.	SCC	medium
24. Encourage the development of village/area appraisals and design statements by the community to promote quality of life and local distinctiveness.	SCC	medium
25. Ensure development of the built environment always has regard to natural elements both existing features and incorporates new tree planting, hedgerows, etc.	WBC, LA21, Local Groups, Amenity Soc., SCC	short
26. Use detailed design guidance and supplementary planning advice to encourage good design and environmental considerations.	SCC/WBC	short
27. Use of grants and other means to enhance and control inappropriate changes to conservation areas.	WBC, SCC	short
28. Encourage regular feedback from village communities on local built environment including where possible views into relevant policies.	WBC, Residents, SCC	medium
29. Identify under-utilised or derelict urban land and encourage development/use (including urban open space).	WBC, Local Groups, LA21, Developers	medium
30. Identify archaeological and historical, buildings, features, landscapes etc. and seek to retain and enhance. Publicise and promote maintenance and retention of such.	LA21, WMACC, WBC, SCC, Amenity Soc.	short/ medium
31. Identify and publish leisure routes for cycling.	WCUG	short/ medium	First route now published with WBC.