Background to Beacon

Nottinghamshire County Council was successful in gaining the Government’s prestigious Beacon Status (2005-2006) for its work in promoting and developing sustainable energy.

The Beacon Council scheme aims to identify the best performing authorities in particular themes. They then go on to act as ‘centres of excellence’ from which other councils can learn.

As a Beacon, the Council was awarded £67,000 which was used to fund a number of events where colleagues from other authorities came to share best practice.

The Beacon Council judging panel were interested to see how the Council had reduced energy use and carbon dioxide emissions by:

• promoting energy efficiency amongst local communities and businesses
• its contribution to reducing carbon dioxide levels in the county
• its policies for land-use planning, transport and waste management.

Other areas examined included awareness raising, partnership working and procurement. A range of case studies are available to download from the panel to the right.

The Council was also a pilot for the Carbon Trust's Local Authority Carbon Management Programme and has been awarded £500,000 to invest in further energy saving measures.

To find out more about our work on Sustainable Energy, contact us:
e-mail: beaconenergy.en@nottscc.gov.uk
tel: 0115 977 3368

For further information about the Beacon Council scheme please visit: www.idea.gov.uk/beacons