Stafford Borough Council is hoping to make the ‘shoots of recovery’ as green as possible when they launch the Green Awards 2009 in April. The Council’s Sustainable and Healthy Communities team will be inviting entries to the Awards from enterprising local business that are running green operations, helping to combat climate change or improving the environment. The Awards are also open to community groups and education establishments.

The Green Awards scheme was set up in 1996 by Stafford Borough Council and has become an eagerly awaited event for many local shops, businesses, schools and other groups with record-breaking numbers of applicants year after year. 38 organisations applied in 2008 and were awarded certificates and prizes by BBC eco-celebrity Penney Poyzer. Winners included HMP Drake Hall, Stafford College and The Hollow Allotments Society.

The Green Awards 2009 will be launched on-line in mid April when more details and entry forms will become available at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/sd. The website already contains details of previous Green Awards winners alongside information on Stafford Borough Council’s Sustainable and Healthy Communities programme.

For more information contact Sebastian Pearce, Sustainable and Healthy Communities team on 01785 619408 or email spearce@staffordbc.gov.uk