Corporate Social Responsibility

In the words of the Prime Minister is ‘an all year round responsibility that companies accept for the environment around them, for the best working practices, for the engagement in their local communities and for their recognition that brand names depend not only on quality, price and uniqueness but on how, cumulatively, they interact with the companies workforce, community and environment.’* C.S.R. is managing the company in a responsible manner to provide a positive impact on the environment, community and workforce.

The Walnut Tree Hotel, under the guidance of Stephen Williams, has very high standards of C.S.R. We have, and are continuing to, change all aspects of the business to improve our product wherever possible, considering our local community needs, both employees and neighbours, and reducing our carbon footprint.

Actions Taken

• We provide venues to many local associations at a privileged rate. These include Rotary Club, Inner Wheel, A.S.A., Community Partnership, Catenians.
• The Hotel has donated the shirts for the North Petherton Rugby Team, Under 15’s
• We only employ people from the local area, in fact all our breakfast staff, many of our housekeeping department and waiting on staff live in the village.
• Goods are purchased locally wherever possible. All our meat comes from the local butcher and is often delivered on foot, he also happens to be the winner of best butcher in the South 2007 / 2008.
• All our vegetables and, when possible, fruit come from a local gardens and nuseries.
• We recycle our glass waste through a local charity.
• We recycle paper as scrap pads and envelopes for internal mail before eventually going to be recycled along with all cardboard.
• Any stamps on incoming mail are sent to charity.
• We recycle all waste cooking fat from the kitchen.
• We recycle any printer/ fax cartridges to charity.
• We have recently installed two ‘state of the art’ gas boiler systems, for hot water and heating to reduce carbon emissions and fuel usage. We also switch off heating if any part of the hotel is not in use.
• We switch off all electrical equipment when not in use rather than leave on stand by. This includes sound systems, lights, coffee machines, computers, printers, laundry press and televisions.
• All our laundry is cleaned in house thereby eliminating the need for transportation.
• All lights are fitted with low energy bulbs, where possible, and are switched off when not in use.
• Heating is turned down in guest rooms by housekeeping, to be increased by the guest if they require it.
• We have light fittings, which are movement and light sensitive installed in various parts of the hotel. These work in conjunction with time switches to minimise electric usage.
• We have water butts fitted to reduce our water usage.
• We have bags in toilet cisterns to reduce the use of water.
• Plants from our hanging baskets are recycled by planting in the garden areas.
• All pipes are lagged to prevent heat loss.
• We have nesting boxes at various points around the hotel to encourage the diversity and well being of our local birds.

Ongoing commitment

• We have a programme in association with Bridgwater College to put as many of our staff as possible through NVQ’s in relevant areas, almost all staff have taken and passed  first aid, fire training and food hygiene.
• We will continue to reinforce the need for prudence in energy usage whilst looking for ways to improve it, reminding staff that any non-essential equipment should be switched off.
• Although we have many areas of the hotel double glazed wherever refurbishment takes place double-glazing will be fitted.
• When possible we will renew equipment giving weight to environmental factors such as energy consumption, ecological factors of production, site of production and product life.
• We will continue to review where movement and/or time and/or light sensitive switches can be fitted to reduce our energy demands.
• We will continue to employ as many staff as possible from the village.
• We undertake to source suppliers who operate with high CSR standards.
• We will keep abreast of technological advances to ensure we remain as environmentally friendly as possible without jeopardising our superb customer service.

*Taken from C S R Competency Framework issued by the DTI