Sustainable development

Sustainable development is about integrating and balancing the often competing needs of economic, social and environmental issues. It involves thinking about the future, caring for the environment, improving quality of life and encouraging greater community participation.

Working towards sustainable development is part of the Woking Borough Council corporate commitment. The Council has developed a series of policies and procedures, including a sustainability checklist which aims to move this agenda forward.

The checklist aims to encompass the full range of sustainability themes and includes the following (updated as of 2006/07):

  1. Use of energy, water, minerals and materials.

  2. Waste generation / sustainable waste management.

  3. Pollution to air, land and water.

  4. Factors that contribute to Climate Change.

  5. Protection of and access to the natural environment.

  6. Travel choices that do not rely on the car.

  7. A strong, diverse and sustainable local economy.

  8. Meet local needs locally.

  9. Opportunities for education and information.

  10. Provision of appropriate and sustainable housing.

  11. Personal safety and reduced fear of crime.

  12. Equality in health and good health.

  13. Access to cultural and leisure facilities.

  14. Social inclusion / engage and consult communities.

  15. Equal opportunities for the whole community.

  16. Contribute to Woking's pride of place.

In order to monitor the Council's contribution to these themes, the Woking Borough Council Annual Sustainability Report was developed. This idenified a range of performance indicators which will be reported each year in the Annual Service and Performance Plan.

Sustainable development is a cross-cutting issue and as such, Council officers are expected to play their part in meeting the Council's corporate objectives.  The Borough Council can affect sustainability in two main ways. Firstly, by the services it provides and secondly by the practice of its staff whilst at work.  Processes have been put in place to enable the consideration of the sustainability themes in the development of projects, policies and strategies.

The Council is recognised for forward thinking approaches to local sustainability, and has been awarded Beacon Council status for 'Sustainable Energy' and for 'Promoting Sustainable Communities through the Planning Process'.  The Council is also working towards a long-term Climate Change Strategy, and promotes local action through Woking Local Agenda 21.

Further Information

For more information, please contact:

  • Woking Borough Council
    Civic Offices
    Gloucester Square
    Woking
    Surrey
    GU21 6YL

    Telephone: 01483 755 855
    email: wokbc@woking.gov.uk