Wedmore GREEN CHARTER
(Last updated March 2021)
STATEMENT OF INTENT
Wedmore Parish Council in 2019 declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency and
publicly supported Green Wedmore in its Zero Carbon Wedmore aim for the parish to
be Carbon Net-Zero by 2030.
This Green Charter will be rigorously applied to the work of the Parish Council towards
the above aim.
VALUES
Wedmore Parish Council believes in:
1. Protecting our precious local natural capital such as fresh air, clean water,
biodiversity and more, so Wedmore remains a beautiful and healthy place to
live, work and play.
2. Generating more local renewable energy and reducing energy use.
3. Avoiding all waste – refuse, reuse, repair and lastly recycle.
4. Buying locally and ethically.
5. Reducing water use.
6. Eliminating the use of harmful chemicals in cleaning and gardening .
7. Restoring nature.
8. Supporting low carbon transport initiatives.
9. Encouraging and supporting local people and businesses to be involved in our
drive to Net Zero by 2030.
10. Working with other localgroups and individuals to
achieve ‘green’ objectives with the aim to be carbon neutral by 2030.
11. Preparing the community by adapting to the changing climate, most notably
greater storms, drought and heat
Green Charter Details
Introduction:
We owe it to our current community and future generations to act now to deal with the climate and
ecological emergency and prepare ourselves for the climate changes already locked into the system.
Threats such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, increased pressures on food production and
natural resources, population growth and the constant need for more housing, roads are all adding
serious threats and problems to our community.
Wedmore Parish Council will do all it can to reduce its own impact and encourage the community of
Wedmore to support environmental initiatives and/or to ‘think green’ for the sake of future generations
and this planet.
Together we should aim to do as much as we can, within our limitations, to bring about improvements
and efficiencies as well as to highlight what we do well and what can be done to further support the
environment – on which we all depend.
Wedmore Parish Council will endeavour to address the following areas where environmental impact
occurs and ensure it acts in ways that minimise any harmful effect on the environment.
1. Taking Action to Improve the Local Environment
Taking care of our village environment is vital to us. Many benefits can be gained through
opportunities for community environmental volunteering; learning and sharing skills, enhancing the
visual amenity and providing benefits for wildlife are just some. Wedmore Parish Council supports
such initiatives and will encourage more in the future.
2. Renewable Energy Generation and Energy Saving Measures
Generating as much renewable energy as possible and also focusing on energy saving is important to
reduce carbon emissions and achieve net-zero whilst also saving money. Wedmore Parish Council is
supporting local renewable energy initiatives and will regularly audit its energy use to achieve
improved savings and identify where new energy efficient and renewable energy technology
installations would help. In the meantime, Wedmore Parish Council will choose green renewable
energy tariffs for electricity. The audit will also look for heating and lighting improvements and make
recommendations for action.
3. Waste Reduction & Recycling
Avoiding unnecessary purchases, reducing waste, reusing and recycling helps save on energy, raw
materials and the use of resources. Easy to recycle materials are Paper, Cardboard, Glass, Plastic
bottles, Metal cans, Foil, Food and green garden waste. Recycling of other plastics and Tetrapak
cartons will be added to collection in Sedgemoor in 2022
Wedmore Parish Council is a ‘single-use plastic free’ organisation by phasing out the use of ‘single use
plastic’ (SUP) products such as bottles, cups, cutlery, trays and drinking straws in Council activities,
where it is reasonable to do so and requests our facilities’ users, local businesses and other local public
agencies to do the same, by championing alternatives, such as reusable water bottles.
4. Greening Buildings & Administration – Being Ethical & Responsible in What We Do
This is fundamentally good practice andWedmore Parish Council can influence others and build
consensus around the issues that matter most, either locally or even on an international level through
its engagement of people, products, services and other local authorities regionally and nationally.
The Council purchasing decisions will try to ensure that, where possible and economic, goods and
service provisions procured have positive ethical, green/eco, attributes e.g. Fair Trade, local, organic,
FSC Certified, recycled, A+++ rated Energy Efficient, water saving, think: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse,
Repair and Recycle
5. Water Conservation Measures
Wise use of our water resource is necessary to prevent waste, reduce carbon and to help support the
water supply industry during periods of drought. (www.waterwise.org.uk) The Council will look at all
water use and seek to reduce water use where practicable e.g. Low flush toilets, rain water harvesting
for garden watering.
6. Avoiding Using or Releasing Harmful Chemicals into the Environment
Wedmore Parish Council aim to eliminate the use of environmentally harmful chemicals in all work
done by or for the Council. The Council will attempt to introduce and use environmentally friendly
alternatives, such as steam cleaning or eco-friendly cleaning products for sanitation, and will carefully
control the use and disposal of all chemical cleaning and decorating products, in line with the Control
of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations. Where possible materials which contain
harsh toxic components will be phased out and replaced by ecologically friendly alternatives e.g. use of
Glyphosate herbicide should be avoided, instead use a clove or geranium based weed repellent, or
allow the weeds to grow helping provide food for our local pollinators.
7. Allotments, Gardens & Cemetery
These are particular sources of pleasure, recreation, and a provision of local food to the local
community, which Wedmore Parish Council considers to be of particular importance to the community.
They provide habitats that support biodiversity which is essential to survival. The Council highly values
the trees, flora and fauna in these areas and will continue to actively encourage new planting and
wildlife protection in appropriate areas. The Council will also look into composting green waste from
the management of its green spaces.
8. Transport & Travel
The Council recognises that alternative forms of transport must be encouraged. Provision for cyclists
and walkers will be encouraged as well as support for more local community transport solutions.
9. Supporting Community & Volunteering
Wedmore has a number of self-help, housing, environmental and community focused charities,
voluntary groups, not-for-profit enterprises and associated individuals who are supporting people, their
households and lifestyles in a variety of environmentally-friendly ways. Wedmore Parish Council
compliments this work and celebrates those organisations and will continue to encourage them to
further Wedmore’s community green-awareness as an example to others.
10. Local Authority & Government Initiative
Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset County Council and the Department of Business, Energy &
Industrial Strategy are working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, engage with local communities,
produce annual Climate Change Action Plans and encourage participation. Wedmore Parish Council is
playing its part by providing opportunities for Wedmore community involvement, and in supporting
initiatives which reduce carbon and other pollutive emissions in Wedmore to become carbon neutral by
2030.
11. Climate Adaptation
The effects of climate change are with us now and in the coming years we can only expect more
periods of intense rainfall, droughts and heatwaves. This makes it more essential than ever that we
prepare our community against floods, drought and heat. Any new housing must be renewably
powered, excellently insulated, water-saving devices throughout and heat-ready with appropriate
shading built into the design. Clearly a parish has very limited authority over planning decisions but
nevertheless these measures and retrofitting existing housing must be a priority. Our green spaces can
also be improved to be more climate ready and nature friendly with tree and hedgerow planting,
retention ponds and other nature-based solutions.