Shared Responsibility - Npower

Corporate Responsibility Report 2003CommunityWe aim to develop partnerships which create trust within thecommunities in which we operate. We recognise that our operations,particularly our power stations, have the potential to impact negativelyon local residents and we aim to keep this to a minimum.We are committed to supporting local initiativesas well as national programmes, by workingin partnership with community groups andcharities. Our community stakeholders includeour employees, communities surrounding ourpower stations and wind farm developments,our customers, schools, and the fuel poor.A group of local school children being taken roundTilbury Power StationOur community strategy is based on thefollowing principles:• We believe that involvement in the localcommunity helps to improve perceptions ofthe company and that participation in localvolunteering helps to maintain staff morale,which in turn benefits employee retentionand recruitment.• Support for local initiatives helps to buildrelationships and trust and maintains our‘licence to operate’, particularly aroundpower stations.• npower is a relatively young brand and ourcustomer base has grown significantly over thelast two years. Community programmes in ourthree core customer regions help to build trustin the company, providing a human face to a‘faceless commodity’.• Free educational resources and environmentalcentres at power stations raise awarenessand understanding of the environment forfuture generations.CommunityTo maintain and develop a company-widecommunity investment programme whichprovides benefits to both the business andthe communities in which we operate anddevelops effective relationships with thelocal communities.Targets for 2003Deliver one company-widecommunity initiative.Increase the number of staff participating incommunity volunteering and monitor feedbackof benefits.Aim for no justified complaints at ouroperational sites.ProgressOn 23 May we held a ChildLine fundraisingday, involving activities across all the sites.488 members of staff were involved involunteering throughout 2003 – compared to200 in 2002. The feedback gathered will beused to develop our volunteering programme.There were five justified complaints at ourpower station operational sites.28