<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1689763664/projects/watfordsustainabilitystrategy/9d813274-839d-4ad6-88af-e1690126bc9d.jpg" /> The &#39;Big Watford Conversation&#39;, a survey to give local people the chance to share their views and experiences of the town, as well as their thoughts and ideas about Watford’s future has been launched. Whether it&#39;s the town’s 17 green flag parks and other green spaces, local jobs and employment opportunities, or the availability of good quality housing, the council is keen to understand what matters most to residents. By taking part in the &#39;Big Watford Conversation,&#39; people can actively contribute to shaping the future of their town. To say ‘thank you’ for taking part, the council is offering five £30 Watford Gift Vouchers as part of a prize draw. Residents who wish to be entered into the draw just need to give their contact details at the end of the survey, with winners selected randomly. The survey deadline is 25 August. Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “As Mayor, I am committed to making our town a vibrant and successful place to live, work, visit, and run a business. This can only be done by listening to residents and working together to make changes. That is why we are launching the ‘Big Watford Conversation’.” “To be a successful town in the decades to come, we need to make decisions now so that we can create a town that future generations of residents and business are proud to call home. Your voice matters, and I encourage you to complete this questionnaire and share your thoughts before 25 August.” Deputy Mayor of Watford and Portfolio Holder for Community, Councillor Aga Dychton, said: “Your voice, your town, your future! Engage in the &#39;Big Watford Conversation&#39; and feedback your experiences, opinions, and suggestions on topics like green spaces, thriving job opportunities, or quality housing, to support the council&#39;s efforts to enhance Watford. Your perspective matters and every piece of insight is important for the future of our town.” The survey can be accessed online through the council’s consultation platform at watfordcommunitysurvey.commonplace.is. Residents are encouraged to participate and share the survey link with their friends, neighbours, and community members to ensure a diverse range of perspectives are captured.

Council launches 'Big Watford Conversation' Community Survey

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1667829870/projects/watfordsustainabilitystrategy/1d9f24ea-3ee8-4e9c-85b7-23042174e969.png" /> Sustainability Forum Come along to our Sustainability Forum on 14 March at 6:30pm. The Forum will be an excellent opportunity for residents to discuss what Watford Borough Council is doing to address the climate and ecological emergencies. Councillor Ian Stotesbury, Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Transport, and Susheel Rao, Sustainability Officer, will be leading the Forum from 6:30-8:30pm. Sign-up to attend here: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/watfords-sustainability-forum-tickets-535589331107">https://Watford-Sustainability-Forum.eventbrite.co.uk</a> Sustainability Updates: Watford’s Environment Strategy and Delivery Plan to go to Cabinet on 13 March Watford’s proposed Environment Strategy and Delivery Plan are being presented to Cabinet for approval on 13 March. The strategy sets out targets for the next seven years on making Watford a low carbon, nature positive, environmentally sustainable borough. This follows the council’s consultation on the strategy, which showed the majority of people agreed with the objectives. It covers six themes including: leading by example, people power, achieving net zero, nature and ecological restoration, responsible resource use, and adapting to change. It also features high-level objectives for each of the themes and sets out the governance for the strategy The accompanying Delivery Plan is a rolling two-year plan, which sets out actions, and shows how we will achieve the Environment Strategy targets. We will email out a link to the documents when they become publically available in early March. Watford Borough Council’s Environmental Managers Network At the beginning of February, Watford Borough Council held the second Environmental Managers Network, a new meet-up bringing together businesses to discuss and share solutions to reaching net zero and being environmentally-positive. Please contact sustainability@watford.gov.uk if you are part of a local business, big or small, and would like to attend the next meeting in April.

Save The Date – Sustainability Forum on 14 March at 6:30pm

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1669622825/projects/watfordsustainabilitystrategy/19ec1264-4882-416d-b790-8e2d8f8dece2.jpg" /> The feedback received will then be used to create the final strategy and a delivery plan for achieving the key environmental goals up to 2030. The draft strategy focuses on how we make Watford a low-carbon and climate-resilient borough and sets the following targets: <li>Achieve net zero carbon emissions (CO2e) for the borough by the end of 2030</li><li>30% of each of our green spaces managed to support nature by 2030</li><li>Reduce borough waste by 50% by 2030, with recycling making up at least 60% of the waste</li> In the document the council commits to working alongside its community and businesses to find the best ways to reach net zero carbon, wanting not just to learn from others but to explore innovative solutions that will work for Watford. Improved biodivesity, more recycling, cleaner greener travel, reduced water usage and improved energy efficiency all form part of the draft strategy. Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “The global climate emergency is affecting communities across the world and in the future will have huge impacts on our local economy, local families and local wildlife here in Watford. It’s so important to address the issues now and protect the future for our younger generations. Your input on this draft strategy is needed and valued.” The draft strategy also sets out the council’s own commitment to be net zero carbon for emissions (CO2e) by the end of 2030 and to reduce its own organisational waste to near zero by 2030. Cllr Ian Stotesbury, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability, said: “The draft strategy sets out how we will create a low-carbon and climate-resilient borough but we can only deliver this in partnership with residents, community organisations and businesses. That’s why your feedback is so important to us. Please go online, read the strategy and complete our short survey.” The draft strategy builds on the work being done across the council following the declaration of a climate and ecological emergency in 2019 and aligns with the Elected Mayor’s manifesto commitment to making Watford a cleaner, greener, healthier town for all. Since 2019 Watford’s tree canopy has been increased, a new bike share scheme for residents and commuters was introduced and a 10-year regeneration project on one of Watford’s key natural assets – the river Colne – was started. The borough currently has more Green Flag parks and green spaces than any other part of Hertfordshire due to the council’s continued investment and management. The draft strategy and survey can be found at https://watfordsustainabilitystrategy.commonplace.is/. The consultation closes on 9 December.

Resident views sought on new draft Climate Change strategy for Watford

Watford Borough Council is consulting on its approach to the climate catastrophe.

Here you can read the draft version of the Climate Change and Ecological Emergency Strategy 2023-2030 and provide your feedback on our targets before they're set in stone.

Watford's Climate Change and Ecological Emergency Strategy: Have Your Say!

Watford Sustainability Strategy

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