NARBOROUGH & LITTLETHORPE LEISURE GARDENERS ASSOCIATION

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

1.      INTRODUCTION

In accordance with its Constitution and Mission Statement the N&LLGA exists to bring about sustainable improvements to the Narborough Allotment site through a partnership with the Parish Council and to contribute to its regeneration with other sections of the local community in order to achieve the true potential of the villages of Narborough & Littlethorpe as a desirable place to live and work in.

2.      AIMS OF THE ASSOCIATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Through its work as part of the National Allotments Movement and its own Local Learning Centre, help to bring about to the wider community the benefits of Allotmenteering and its effects upon the environment, especially the benefits of organic cultivation.

To promote the highest standards in plot management amongst its members.

To manage the allotment site in accordance with the highest environmental principles as set out in HM Governments Guidelines entitled "Growing in the Community a Good Practice Guide for the Management of Allotments" (DETR -LGA 2000).

To ensure that produce grown on the site is of the highest standard possible.

3.      OBJECTIVES

The N&LLGA will as far as is practical have respect for natural resources by ensuring the use of the most efficient materials, using renewable, recycled and recyclable products wherever possible.

Minimise wherever possible, the creation of waste and use recyclable materials, compost all organic waste either individually by plotholders themselves or communally on site.

Through the Leicester Renewable Energy Project try to establish the generation of electricity on site for the benefit of the allotment community through either solar and photovoltaic panels, wind or combined heat/power generation using bio-technical systems.

4.      ACTIVITIES TO ACHIEVE OBJECTIVES

The N&LLGA will operate this policy through its elected Management Committee who will co-ordinate and monitor its environmental performance programme.

The Management Committee will communicate this Environmental Policy to its members and provide appropriate training and support through its Learning Centre and appropriate courses in association with BCTV and any other providers.

Conduct periodic reviews and self evaluation of the effectiveness of its Environmental Policy.

Prepare, implement and monitor any action plans if found necessary to improve its performance.

Report these findings to the allotment community via its own in-house Newsletter and website.

Concerning the purchase of goods and services the N&LLGA will as far as is possible

Support and encourage any contractors, suppliers or other relevant partners to minimise their impact upon the environment through the communication of the associations Environmental and Purchasing Policies.

Actively seek to influence others within the Allotment Movement at County; Regional and Nationally to adopt Environmental and Good Management Practice Policies associated with allotment gardening.

To use and specify local contractors to use re-usable or recyclable materials whenever possible or practical.

All Members of N&LLGA

Will encourage each other to adopt and take responsibility for implementing this Environmental Policy.

Encourage volunteers and members of other organisations involved in Allotmenteering to also adopt good practices in order to improve their environmental performance and improve its impact upon the environment.