Decision

To award the contract to support 15x business to achieve Green mark accreditation
Purpose:
In line with the Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency in 2019 and the adopted Economic Development Strategy, Carbon Architecture were contracted in 2025 to deliver business support to 15 businesses in the borough, with the target of enabling these businesses to become Green Mark accredited. Improving their sustainability.
This pilot was successful and this extension of contract is to enable a further 15 business in Waverley, in parallel with a pilot cohort in Guildford to benefit from the same business support, to achieve Green mark accreditation.
The contract value is £15,000.
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Decision:
To contract Carbon Architecture to deliver business support to a further x15 businesses, with the target of these businesses becoming more sustainable and Green Mark accredited (an Environmental Management System).
?https://www.businesswaverley.co.uk/en-UK/page/6a7d9bf52765580007aa7fc1/waverley-s-go-green-for-business-support-scheme-opens-for
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka2yBcq237w&time_continue=0&source_ve_path=NzY3NTg&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businesswaverley.co.uk%2F
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka2yBcq237w&time_continue=0&source_ve_path=NzY3NTg&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businesswaverley.co.uk%2F

Reasons for the decision

Reason For Decision:?
The appointment of Carbon Architecture to deliver business support aligns with the aspirations set out in the Economic Development Strategy 2024 – 32, under the Green Waverley gamechanger banner.
Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 2024-32
Appendix 1 - WBC Economic Development Strategy April 2024.pdf
The contract will provide a second cohort of 15 x local businesses the opportunity to join the Green Mark scheme, with the aim of the collaboration being to give participants access to a fully supported tool which will help them take a holistic approach to improved sustainability across their operations.
Green Mark is an EMS (Environmental Management System) which provides a framework for organisations of all sizes and types to monitor, control, and continuously improve their performance, and in doing so helps them to understand how they can save energy, reduce waste and minimise their environmental impact in order to make a positive difference. The fully supported, step-by-step process they follow is assessed, audited and certified by a trusted accreditation scheme, and ensures that members are putting relevant procedures and time framed action plans into place, so that the Green Mark community demonstrates a proven commitment to continuous environmental improvement.
Feedback from businesses that have gone through the accreditation process has been very positive.
What previous participants say about the scheme
Being part of Green Mark will keep us focused to continue to be sustainable and minimize emissions and waste, at the start you think that is hard to set up this but I found the process smooth and all the team at Green Mark has been extremely helpful, I am encouraging everyone to join. Francesco, GM, The Bush Hotel, Farnham
As a small high street retail business the Green Mark accreditation process really helped us focus in on our most important sustainability issues. It's a great way to start your journey. Ian, Haslemere bookshop
The Green Mark Accreditation helped Pied Piper Theatre to move forwards on our green journey in the Arts. As I have eye problems it was great to have telephone help with completing all the form online. Tina, Pied Piper Theatre Company.
The Green Mark accreditation gave us a clear framework to review our environmental practices, understand where we could improve and develop practical plans for the future. The guidance and regular support from our Green Mark mentor made the process manageable and valuable for a small organisation like ours.
The process was well structured and more straightforward than we initially expected. Having an allocated mentor was particularly helpful, as the regular guidance made each stage clear and manageable. For organisations considering Green Mark, it would be useful to make clear at the outset that you do not need to have every sustainability measure in place already. The accreditation helps you understand your current position, identify gaps and decide what realistic improvements you can make. That reassurance would be particularly useful for small organisations where staff time and resources are limited. Gael Emmett, Gallery Administrator, New Ashgate Gallery
The Council aims to use this second cohort to encourage the Waverley Borough business community to focus on the benefits of improved sustainability, and to understand how best practice looks so that further phases will deliver the best possible results.

Alternative options considered

Alternative would be not to support a further x15 businesses to begin or support their sustainability journey and offer a greener products to local residents and businesses to purchase.