PEOPLE have the chance to influence a set of proposals that will help shape their community’s green future.

A new document has been published which brings together all Suffolk Coastal and Waveney district councils’ environmental policies.

The draft Joint Environ-mental Sustainability Policy and Action Plan (JESPAP) includes improving the energy efficiency of Waveney’s council homes.

It also looks at working with the Environment Agency, town and parish councils and others to develop appropriate local emergency plans; promoting community-led planning and local environmental action; and highlighting recycling and waste reduction.

Andrew Nunn, Suffolk Coastal’s cabinet member for the green environment, said: “We have now reviewed all our policies and pulled them all into one single document - a ‘greenprint’ for the future.

“Our draft JESPAP sets goals and actions for us as to how, by working with others, we will not only protect our unique natural environment but also reduce our impact on the wider environment, by taking measures that will lower our districts’ carbon footprint and help reduce the levels of climate change we will need to adapt to.”

Both councils are keen to hear what people think and are inviting comments on the draft document by Friday, September 28.

Stephen Ardley, Waveney’s cabinet member for the green environment, said: “We are hoping to receive comments that may improve our document, but also to identify new partnerships or volunteers who could work with us to meet the challenges of improving the local environment and making more sustainable use of resources while recognising the need for economic growth.

“There is probably less national or local funding to carry out some of the environmental projects that we would all like to see, but that makes it even more important to work together to get maximum value from the resources that are there.”

Visit www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/jespap or www.waveney.gov.uk/jespap for more details.

Printed versions of the draft document are available at Suffolk Coastal’s Melton Hill offices and Waveney’s Town Hall in Lowestoft.