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This article looks at the actions local councils are taking in response to climate change, (as of July - September 2005) and in particular what information they provide for the ordinary concerned citizen. The scope of this enquiry has been limited to council websites. This article is one of a series - one article for each region of England.
An initial survey was carried out during July - September 2005, with the results included in the initial versions of this article. Please note that contributors are welcome to add information at any time. This means that different parts of the article may be up-to-date to a greater or lesser extent, but all will be at least as recent as the initial survey.
Websites for all councils in the region have been looked at during the initial survey (with the exception of any - no more than one or two - unavailable at the times of searches - see Notes on method below), though in most cases only 'postive' results (some information found) have been recorded.
Monitoring change
Results of the initial survey could be compared with results from a similar comprehensive (England-wide) and systematic survey in about a year's time to give a broad indication of how the overall picture is changing.
The overall picture[]
Of the websites for the 45 local councils in this region, 11 (24%) are listed as having some information which ordinary concerned citizens might easily find, (with a further 3 containing small related items of information). The best examples include several webpages, reflect an inclusive and partnership approach and provide links to further sources of information. Although councils may have a webpage on climate change, it can sometimes be difficult to tell how up to date is the information provided.
Derbyshire[]
- Derby City Council - Climate Change Conference 2004, also mentioned on 'Environment City and Community Strategy' and 'enviroNews Summer 2005' webpages.
- High Peak Borough Council - Sustainable Energy - Beacon Council for sustainable energy. Climate change also mentioned in several press releases.
- North East Derbyshire District Council - (Climate change mentioned on Renewable Sources webpage within Green living Guide section)
Leicestershire[]
- Charnwood Borough Council - Climate Change Strategy, Charnwood Borough Council Responds to Climate Change, Press Release: 08/03/05, Signatory to Nottingham Climate Change Declaration
- Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council - Sustainable Development - section on climate change, Virtual Eco-House - section on climate change, Signatory to Nottingham Climate Change Declaration
- Leicester City Council - City Of Leicester Climate Change Strategy includes links to more webpages and details of the "Keep Leicester Cool" campaign via the Environment City website.
- Leicestershire County Council - ENABLE webpage links to Climate Change Strategy, mentions also in ENABLE newsletter and press release
Lincolnshire[]
- East Lindsey District Council - Climate change webpages
- Lincoln City Council - City of Lincoln Council Climate Change Strategy
- Lincolnshire County Council - (global warming mentioned within an Environmental Report, date unclear)
Northamptonshire[]
- Corby Borough Council - Climate change webpage, (date of imformation unclear)
Nottinghamshire[]
- Ashfield District Council - no dedicated page (mentioned under energy efficiency).
- Bassetlaw District Council - no dedicated page.
- Broxtowe Borough Council - no results.
- Gedling Borough Council - no dedicated page (just a list of contacts for energy efficiency).
- Mansfield District Council - no dedicated page.
- Newark and Sherwood District Council - no dedicated page, though climate change is mentioned in the Newark and Sherwood Energy Agency pages.
- Nottingham City Council - no results.
- Nottinghamshire County Council - page about a conference in Oct 2004, with links to strategy consultation documents; also referenced in pages about specific "green issues".
- Rushcliffe Borough Council - no dedicated page; (a brief mention on the Community Strategy page).
Rutland[]
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Notes on method[]
(Initial survey) A simple search for 'climate change' was carried out on each local council website. Links identified were restricted to web pages specifically about climate change or evidence of climate change strategies, that could reasonably easily be found by ordinary concerned citizens. PDF and word processor documents have not been included unless these can be accessed from a dedicated climate change page, or another easily found page. Information that appears to be more than 6 months old may not be recorded unless it suggests some current or ongoing activity. One or two websites may have been temporarily unavailable at the time of a search, in which case no information has been recorded. If no search facility could be found, or did not appear to be working properly at the times of searches, no information was recorded.
Reference
Local councils in the East Midlands, Directgov
Links checked Philralph 07:48, 30 Sep 2005 (UTC)