Social Responsibility
The board has reviewed the Group's policies and procedures for managing risks arising from social, environmental, health and safety and ethical matters.
Each area of the Group's activities is the responsibility of a specific executive director.
Other than for buildings which are let to a single tenant on full repairing and insuring leases, the Group appoints specialist facilities management firms whose responsibilities include compliance with all relevant health, safety and environmental requirements. Prior to acquisition of any property, appropriate surveys and reports are obtained, as part of the due diligence process, to identify potential environmental and health and safety issues, which are then dealt with post acquisition. Regular meetings are held between the relevant executive director and the facilities manager at which health and safety and environmental matters for each property are reviewed. No reportable incidents arose during the year. Opportunity was taken of the head office relocation in May 2006 to review and improve the Group's procedures for recycling paper and other waste. During 2007, a program of energy efficiency audits will commence for all of the properties owned or managed by the Group.
Given the nature of the Group's present business, its successful history and the small number of employees, the directors do not consider the Group currently to face significant risks in respect of social or ethical matters. Any such risks are identified and dealt with by the Group's internal control procedures as described above.
Source: Rugby Estates Plc Annual Report 2007
