Beijing looks to Stratford for Green lead.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council hosted a visit from 18 Auditors from Beijing on Tuesday 13 November.  They were on a fact finding mission about the Environmental standard EMAS, which the Council has held for ten year years.  

"It was pleasing to note that a group from a city with a population of 15 million people could come to Stratford as part of their fact finding mission and learn from our commitment to the environment," says Cllr Les Topham, Leader of the Council.  

Cllr Topham presented the group with a gift as a memento of their visit, as did Cllr Stuart Beese - Chairman of the Council, who commented, "It was good to be able to host this visit, and it is of interest that Beijing is taking environmental issues seriously.  I trust that we were able to provide a little of our experience."  

Cllr Simon Jackson attended the presentation, and was also pleased adding,  "Many of the delegates expressed how impressed they were with the Town and the general environment.  They also expressed their appreciation for the District Council sharing our way of working."  

Stratford District Council gained the EMAS accreditation in 1997.  EMAS, Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, is a European standard that can only be attained by external validiation.