1.  Planned / development approach

·        Green dimensions of development plans by statutory authorities

·         Action plans by voluntary bodies

2.  Environment

Þ    Natural environment

·        Actions taken for water quality in rivers, streams, lakes, beaches

·        Responsible use of chemical products

·        Rain water collection

·        Actions taken for air quality – policy on emissions and use of fossil fuels

·        Actions taken for waste minimization

·        Composting and green waste recovery

·        Policies and actions taken for sustainable energy to use

Þ    Built environment

·         Quality and maintenance of buildings – public and private

·         Streetscape and street furnishings

·         Derelict buildings – tasteful infill

·         Heritage buildings and structures

Þ    Cleanliness and tidiness

·         Clutter, litter, litterbins, cigarettes

·         Tagging, graffiti, wild billposting

3.  Landscape       

·         Policy  / guidelines

·        Management of surrounding, “contextual landscape”

·         Interface with town or village

·         Biodiversity of fauna and flora

·         Respect  for natural habitats

4.  Open green spaces

·         Location, function for climate, health

·         Parks, botanic public/ private gardens

·         Sport and play grounds, cemeteries

·         Streams, ponds, lakes and banks

·         Design, maintenance and cleanliness

5.  Permanent planting

·         Trees, shrubs, bushes

·         Perennials

·         Quality, quantity, maintenance, policy

6.  Seasonal planting

Þ    In containers

·         Quality, quantity, colours, etc.

Þ    In flower beds

·         Quality, quantity, colours, etc.

7.  Environmental education

·         Quality

·         Range

·         Policy

8.   Effort and involvement

·         Existence of active voluntary bodies

·         Cooperation among various bodies with local statutory authority

·        Evidence of residents taking ownership of their environment

9.  Tourism and leisure

·         Attractiveness

·         Infrastructure

·         Marketing and development  policy

·         Sustainability

10. Presentation

Þ    Information to the public

·         Quality

·         Documents

·         Policy

Þ    Communication to the press

·         Quality

·         Range

·         Documents

Þ    Explanation to the jury

·         Documents

·         Organisation