Scope
RPS conducted an independent verification of Countryside Properties’ ‘Environmental, Social and Ethical Report 2008’ (covering the period October 2007 – September 2008). The overall aim of the verification statement is to provide assurance to all stakeholders that the information provided is accurate and reliable. The terms of reference for RPS’s verification were to assess the appropriateness, credibility and soundness of the claims and commitments made in the report. In addition, RPS wished to judge the extent to which sustainability encompassing environmental, social and ethical measures are being embedded into Countryside’s overall business and operational activities. This is the eighth year that Countryside Properties has had its report externally verified.
Methodology
In conducting the verification, RPS verified statements and data through interviews with key individuals at Group level and document review. In addition, a sample of active sites was visited and selected issues audited. Evidence of target achievement was reviewed to ensure consistency with reported progress. A detailed debrief is also being provided to the Company highlighting areas of existing good practice and areas where improvement is advised.
Comments
Countryside Properties continues to successfully integrate sustainable development as a core value within its business performance, even within the current challenging economic environment. Integral to the Company’s development strategy is an emphasis on the importance of the economic and social aspects of the sustainability agenda as well as the environmental.
Ongoing systematic management of its sustainability issues is maintained, with the use of management systems for quality, health and safety and the environment. As a differential to its peer group, all the management systems are externally certified for all parts of the business. Certification to Investors in People has been maintained since 2000.
Countryside Properties has again made progress against its core set of objectives and quantitative key performance indicators (KPIs) and is transparent in its reporting where KPIs have not been achieved. Particular highlights relate to the following:
- As in previous years, all homes built in the year were assessed against EcoHomes and 72% achieved a rating of Good which is an improvement on last year’s performance. Progress is also being made in assessing a number of dwellings against the Code for Sustainable Homes to levels 3 and 4.
- Positive performances were maintained against other industry benchmarks including SAP ratings, Considerate Constructors’ Scheme scores and the Health and Safety measure of Accident Incident Rates.
A less positive performance was achieved with respect to waste management with an increase in waste disposed compared to last year. Countryside has recognised this and is working with industry groups to identify ways of improving site waste management and identify industry wide performance measures.
To maintain and build on the Company’s progress, the following recommendations for future management and reporting of sustainability issues by Countryside Properties are suggested:
- Maintain the systematic management throughout the business, which is a key differentiator to its peer group, through the use of integrated management systems and providing appropriate training to staff at all levels.
- Further develop and monitor Company-wide quantitative KPIs linking where possible with the Code for Sustainable Homes and continue to build on the improvements already demonstrated and analyse where further improvements are needed. The Company should also review the reporting parameters chosen for KPis to ensure that they are consistent with its peers.
- Continue the proactive engagement with key stakeholders, and membership of relevant advisory panels, to identify material areas and targets to ensure that the reporting process continues to be relevant.
Conclusions
RPS is confident that this report provides a comprehensive and balanced account of the way that Countryside Properties has addressed and managed its environmental, social and ethical issues during 2007-08. The data presented is based on a systematic and robust collection process and we are satisfied that it accurately reflects the current sustainability performance of Countryside Properties.
Tanya Lloyd Jones
Technical Director
RPS Planning and Development, Oxford
16th March 2009
Frenchs Walk, Chelmsford, Essex
Lock 38, Cliffe Vale, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs
Urban Hive, Hackney, London