Biodiversity and Climate Change Action Plan
1 Transport
Aim: To support the shift from cars to active and mass transport and enable the transformation from fossil fuels to no tailpipe emissions.
Transport creates the largest amount of emissions in the borough. It has a negative impact on air quality and health. The residents’ survey showed support for investing in active travel and providing more charging points for electric vehicles.
1.1
Action
Draft Local Plan to:
- Establish policies that enable the infrastructure required for low carbon vehicles
- Ensure policies encourage and enable development proposals which give priority first to pedestrian and cycle movements, both within the scheme and with its surrounding areas; and second to facilitating high quality public transport connectivity.
Output
Emphasis is given to walking, cycling and public transport.
Outcome
Local Plan includes measures and actions that will help to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
Cost and Whom
Strategic planning officer time.
Timescale
2020-22
1.2
Action
Work with KCC to develop Maidstone Integrated Transport Strategy, and Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, as part of the Local Plan review to promote and support a modal shift to walking, cycling, public transport, and electric vehicles.
Output
Integrated Transport Strategy Developed.
Outcome
Increase in infrastructure supporting walking, cycling, buses and electric vehicles.
Cost and Whom
Transport and Development Team and Strategic Planning.
Timescale
2020-22
1.3
Action
Produce a business case for the introduction of a workplace parking levy to fund active travel or public transport.
Output
Organisations charged for providing car parking spaces may result in fewer spaces being provided. Funds would be raised.
Outcome
Fewer cars on road, greater use of sustainable transport modes and increased funding for sustainable infrastructure.
Cost and Whom
Biodiversity and Climate Change Officer (BDCC Officer) time, Strategic Planning staff time
Timescale
2024
1.4
Action
Develop a travel plan for council staff that sets out objectives and an action plan to encourage the shift to electric and ultra-low emission vehicles, more working from home, more sustainable travel patterns and an increase in the use of public transport and active transport modes through:
- parking management on council premises
- discounted public transport fares
- pool cars
- audio and video conferencing
- car-sharing
- electric bikes
- remote and home working
- promoting fuel efficient driving techniques to all staff
Update travel expenses policies generally and avoid any perverse incentives. Update before any moves to new premises. Include any learning from working practices that changed due to COVID-19.
Output
Plan developed, formally adopted, disseminated and included in induction for new staff. Staff are given information and support to reduce car use.
Outcome
Staff adopting more sustainable transport practices.
Cost and Whom
BDCC officer, Head of Human Resources, Head of Commissioning and Business Improvement, Transformation and Digital Services, and colleagues time.
Timescale
2021
1.5
Action
Develop policies and increase remote working to reduce travelling to work and office energy needs, without a reduction in outputs or access to services. Uses any learning from new working practices adopted due to COVID 19 responses.
Output
Staff and councillor working arrangements are changed.
Outcome
Anticipated reduction in emissions for staff related to work
Cost and Whom
BDCC officer, Human Resources, Head of Commissioning and Business Improvement, Transformation and Digital Services time, changes could give cost saving
Timescale
2021
1.6
Action
Influence design and specification of any new office building to ensure infrastructure enables EVs and low-carbon energy charging infrastructure for them and supports active travel with bike storage, lockers and showers and supports digital working.
Output
Any new building able to support the electric vehicle charging needed and active travel.
Outcome
Reduced carbon emissions.
Cost and Whom
BDCC officer time.
Timescale
2020 to when any new building completed.
1.7
Action
Have regard to the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy and its emerging policies relating to electric vehicles. Liaise with KCC, district network operators and other relevant partners. Seek grant and other forms of funding to support this. Seek and take opportunities to provide one or more charging hub.
Output
Funds sought for EV infrastructure and alignment with district and county policies.
Outcome
Charging points provided to anticipate, and meet, needs for vehicle charging across the borough.
Cost and Whom
Parking Services, Strategic Planning and BDCC Officer time.
Timescale
2020-30
1.8
Action
Use advice from the Energy Saving Trust (EST) Local Authority Transport Service to facilitate a move to electric taxis. Liaise with relevant partners to monitor use and ensure infrastructure is provided appropriately.
Output
Achieve the minimum number of rapid (50kW) EV charging points dedicated to taxi use needed in town centre in-line with the EST report:
- 3 by 2021
- 16 by 2025
- 21 by 2027
- 23 by 2030
- 25 by 2036
A double rapid charging point dedicated for taxis will be provided by KCC and partners in Pudding Lane in 2020.
Outcome
Monitor charging point provision and ensure there are sufficient. This may require paying for the cost, applying for grant funding, or entering a partnership to ensure provision.
Cost and Whom
Costs vary dependent on location and DNO requirements. Indicative cost of £13K per double charging point when purchasing 10 or more. Costs circa £156K.
Timescale
2021-2030
1.9
Action
Draft new licensing policy to reduce number of taxis using fossil fuel by more than 90% by 2030 and by 100% by 2036.
Output
240 high mileage fossil fuel vehicles replaced with no tailpipe emission vehicles.
Outcome
No private hire vehicles with tailpipe emissions by end of 2028. No hackney carriage vehicles with tailpipe emissions by the end of 2036.
Cost and Whom
Licensing and BDCC officer time.
Timescale
2021
1.10
Action
Promote workplace vehicle chargers (and current government Workplace Charging Scheme)
Output
Scheme promoted to businesses
Outcome
Increased number of EV charging points at businesses.
Cost and Whom
Economic development team
Timescale
2020 until scheme ends
1.11
Action
Promote ECO stars recognition scheme to fleet operators.
Output
Scheme promoted to businesses.
Outcome
Increased number of operators signed up.
Cost and Whom
Environmental Protection Team, BDCC Officer.
Timescale
2020 until scheme ends.
1.12
Action
Work with KCC to gather baseline data on the buses operating in the borough and their Euro classification. Support operators to develop their commercial networks in the borough, ensuring that the borough’s infrastructure is bus friendly. Work with the Quality Bus Partnership to identify actions to support bus companies to switch to clean technology.
Output
Gather data on the current fleet.
Identify opportunities to trial cleaner buses and submit bids for funding at each opportunity
Outcome
Increase in public transport usage to improve air quality. More bus friendly infrastructure.
An increase in the proportion of buses rated Euro VI or using low carbon fuels
Cost and Whom
Environmental Protection Team, BDCC Officer
Timescale
2020-30
2 Buildings
Aim: To support the change from heating and cooling buildings using fossil fuels to low carbon technology and reducing energy needs by increasing energy efficiency.
29% of emissions in the borough come from homes. Poorly insulated homes cost more to run and contribute to fuel poverty. The technology is available to make the changes needed. A move from fossil fuels will reduce emissions from non-domestic buildings and greater energy efficiency could reduce costs.
2.1
Action
Support Kent County Council to explore the potential for Combined Heat and Power systems and District Heating scheme developments across the community.
Output
Developed business case.
Outcome
Decision made on feasibility.
Cost and Whom
Development Management, Regeneration and Economic Development time.
Timescale
2020-2021
2.2
Action
Promote access to schemes to residents, landlords and housing associations, for retrofitting insulation to existing homes including ECO3, LA Flex and the Green Homes Grant Scheme.
Output
Home owners and landlords access schemes to install insulation so reduce heating bills and reduce carbon emissions Particular emphasis on upgrading homes with an EPC rating of E, F or G.
Outcome
No homes rated E, F or G by 2025 and all homes to be C or better by 2035.
Cost and Whom
Housing and Health and Communications Staff time.
Timescale
2020-30
2.3
Action
Investigate how to support low carbon heat networks.
Output
Identify potential of low carbon networks.
Outcome
Evidence base to support new direction in Local Plan Review.
Cost and Whom
Strategic Planning time.
Timescale
2020-22
2.4
Action
Promote low carbon heating including government domestic and non-domestic renewable heat incentive scheme and any other suitable schemes.
Output
Low carbon heating, and any grant funding, promoted to businesses, third sector and householders.
Outcome
More homes and businesses retrofit low carbon heating systems.
Cost and Whom
BDCC officer, Housing and Health Team, Economic development team and Communications.
Timescale
2020 to scheme end
2.5
Action
Enforce Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015.
Output
Adopt a new Enforcement Policy to assist with ensuring landlords make reasonable improvements to the thermal efficiency of homes.
Outcome
Thermal efficiency of poorest performing privately rented homes is increased.
Cost and Whom
Housing and Health Team.
Timescale
2020-30
2.6
Action
Promote water efficiency to residents in partnership with South East Water.
Output
Residents signposted to water saving advice and devices.
Outcome
Water consumption reduction.
Cost and Whom
Housing and health Team, Communications and BDCC officer.
Timescale
2020-30.
3 Generating renewable energy
Aim: To take every opportunity to generate renewable energy across the Borough
We need to generate more electricity to support the move from fossil fuels. There are opportunities for retrofitting equipment to existing homes and businesses and requiring renewable energy generation on new developments.
3.1
Action
Use Local Plan review to investigate how to encourage on-site renewables on all types of new developments.
Output
Research produced for onsite renewable generation for all new development.
Outcome
Foundations laid for setting out requirements for renewable energy generation on new developments in Local Plan.
Cost and Whom
Strategic planning officer time.
Timescale
2020-22
3.2
Action
Support residents, businesses and third sector to install renewable energy generation by providing information and promoting grants and savings schemes.
Output
Information and support provided to access advice and relevant schemes.
Outcome
More renewable energy technology installed in borough.
Cost and Whom
BDCC Officer, Housing and Health, Economic Development and Communications Teams.
Timescale
2020-30
3.3
Action
Encourage and support community energy projects. Assess viability of these for carbon offsetting.
Output
Projects supported and facilitated.
Outcome
More renewable energy created and used within community.
Cost and Whom
BDCC Officer and Communications.
Timescale
2020-30
4 Reducing waste and energy
Aim: To reduce the amount of domestic waste created, increase the proportion re-used, recycled and composted to at least 60% by 2030 and reduce the carbon emitted from processing waste.
Waste can be re-used as valuable resources and reduce energy consumed in producing new goods. Organic waste must be managed as can release greenhouse gases as it decomposes.
4.1
Action
Increase percentage of waste re-used recycled/composted by;
- Encouraging residents to separate food and recyclables (particularly metals and textiles), use appropriate bins and avoid contamination
- Reviewing, and where possible, improving recycling facilities for flats and those with communal collections
- Waste and recycling guidance with as much planning weight as possible to be adopted for all new developments
Assess feasibility of weekly recycling collections.
Output
- Communications strategy to encourage residents to separate food waste, recycle materials appropriately and avoid contamination.
- Enforcement action where appropriate to address contamination and failure to manage waste in flats/communal collections by managing agents.
- New guidance to ensure all new developments have sufficient and appropriate provision for recycling
Feasibility of weekly collections assessed.
Outcome
- A minimum of 60% of household waste is re-used, recycled/composted by 2030
- Less food waste in residual waste
- Increase capture rates of four key materials (paper, glass, metals and plastics) as well as food waste compared with 2019-20 levels
Feasibility of weekly recycling collections used to inform plans for new waste collection contract.
Cost and Whom
Waste services and communication team time
Approximately £10K consultants’ costs for modelling of alternative collection services including weekly recycling collections.
Timescale
2020-30
4.2
Action
Create and implement a plan to ensure all types of waste are processed in or as close to the borough as possible.
Output
Reduce the distance that waste is transported for processing.
Outcome
Maximised carbon reduction from recycling materials..
Cost and Whom
Waste services team time.
Timescale
2021-23
4.3
Action
Introduce recycling into the street cleansing service including offering community litter picks the opportunity to recycle the waste they collect
Output
Communities supported to plan safe litter picks where recycling can be easily separated from recycling. Litter collected through street cleansing service is separated wherever possible.
Outcome
More community litter picks, and clean recyclable materials reclaimed.
Cost and Whom
Waste services and communication team time.
Timescale
2022-22.
4.4
Action
Reduce fly-tipping.
Output
- Encourage residents to report fly-tipping using website and improve the reporting back to close the communication loop
- Increase enforcement for fly-tipping by increasing camera deployment and joint operation with the Police
Explore ways to control emissions for removing fly tipped waste
Outcome
Fly-tippers penalised, fly tipping addressed swiftly with minimal emissions.
Cost and Whom
£40k Waste Services.
Timescale
2020-25
4.5
Action
Investigate options to encourage home composting and using an anaerobic digester to process the domestic food waste collected.
Output
- Promote home composting and assess feasibility of providing subsidised compost bins.
- Assess feasibility of requiring communal composting facilities in new developments.
Work with KCC to assess viability anaerobic digestion of domestic food waste
Outcome
- Subsidised bins provided to promote home composting
- Feasibility and viability studies completed and recommendations made
Cost and Whom
£20k to subsidise home compost bins.
No costs expected for changes to way KCC processes food waste.
Waste Services.
Timescale
2021-22
5 Adapting to climate change
Aim: To build resilient landscapes, communities and services.
We will experience hotter, drier, summers; warmer, wetter, winters and more storms. We must adapt to more frequent severe weather ensuring our landscapes and communities thrive and services are provided.
5.1
Action
Provide policy on climate change adaptation in Local Plan review, including consideration of flooding, heat and drought.
Output
Climate change adaptation is included as part of Local Plan review.
Outcome
Local Plan review provides policy of climate change adaptation.
Cost and Whom
Strategic Planning Officer time.
Timescale
2020-22
5.2
Action
Ensure Local Plan review considers level of current and future flood risk and developments are planned accordingly.
Output
Flood risks are explicitly considered in Local Plan review.
Outcome
New developments will be directed away from areas of flood risk and required adaptation and mitigations measures will be put in place.
Cost and Whom
Strategic Planning Officer time.
Timescale
2020-22.
5.3
Action
Use Severe Weather Impacts Monitoring System (SWIMS) to understand impacts of severe weather in borough. Work with Kent County Council to implement actions from the Climate Change Risk and Impact Assessment in the borough.
Output
SWIMS database used to record severe weather impacts and reports provided to inform MBC risk register. Our vulnerabilities are identified and a plan for resilience is created.
Outcome
Mitigations and controls in place to manage risk of Severe Weather. The Council can take proactive action to protect the borough from climate impacts.
Cost and Whom
BDCC Officer.
Timescale
2020-30
5.4
Action
Work with Medway Flood Partnership to identify and develop actions, including natural flood management, which can help to reduce flood levels.
Output
Medway Flood Partnership supported to deliver actions that reduce flood levels.
Outcome
Reduction in likelihood of flooding or mitigation measures effective.
Cost and Whom
BDCC officer, Corporate Property Team.
Timescale
2020-30
5.5
Action
Work with Medway Flood Partnership to
- develop a funding strategy to identify and secure additional resources for natural flood management
- build local communities’ resilience to flooding
Output
- Funding Strategy developed and reviewed regularly.
- Communities at greatest risk from floods identified and helped to create a Community Flood Plan
Outcome
Increase in the level of funds available for projects identified by Medway Flood Partnership for natural flood management projects to reduce flooding in the borough.
Community resilience projects run, and Community Flood Plans written.
Cost and Whom
Representative on Kent and Medway Environment and Climate Emergency Director’s Group.
Emergency Planning and Resilience Officer.
Timescale
2020-30
5.6
Action
Review our arrangements around our estate, parks and recreation facilities in severe weather situations as part of business continuity management.
Output
Ensure identified actions and recommendations are in place for severe weather events.
Outcome
Our parks, recreational facilities, and operations are resilient to climatic changes.
Cost and Whom
All services, BDCC officer.
Timescale
2021
5.7
Action
Work with the Kent Resilience Forum, spatial planners and other partners to enhance adaptation and emergency planning contingencies for severe weather and other climate impacts. ‘Strengthening’ of power and water supply and other critical infrastructure should be a priority alongside ensuring more resilient settlements.
Output
An agreed approach reached by partners. Initiatives delivered to make critical infrastructure and settlements more resilient.
Outcome
Operations, estates, assets and equipment are resilient to climate change.
Cost and Whom
Emergency Planning and Resilience Officer and colleagues as needed.
Timescale
2020-30
5.8
Action
Support local businesses to be resilient to climate change including referring to Kent Prepared website.
Output
Businesses helped to assess their vulnerability to climate impacts, including extreme weather events and impacts on sending and receiving goods and services.
Outcome
Businesses have a climate impacts plan, so they are resilient to climate change
Cost and Whom
Economic development team
Timescale
2021
6 Enhance and increase biodiversity
Aim: To use every opportunity to protect, enhance and increase biodiversity in the borough.
People experience better health when they spend time in nature. Biodiversity provides ecosystem services including clean water, clean air, rainwater absorption and flood mitigation.
6.1
Action
Draft Local Plan to;
- Require biodiversity net gain within the borough
- Ensure Garden Communities are an exemplar for biodiversity and deliver semi natural open space
- Increase tree coverage and other wildlife habitats to allow biodiversity in new developments
Ensure that sustainable urban drainage schemes maximise biodiversity potential.
Output
Biodiversity net gain is built into all new developments, with focus of semi natural open spaces.
Outcome
Biodiversity net gain is achieved, and tree cover increased.
Cost and Whom
Strategic Planning Team and specialist advice as needed.
Timescale
2022.
6.2
Action
Adopt Parks and Open Space Biodiversity Action Plan ensuring it is reviewed to keep up to date with latest practices.
Output
Parks and Open Biodiversity Action Plan agreed and implemented across council functions.
Outcome
Every opportunity is taken to enhance biodiversity through council’s estate.
Cost and Whom
Parks and Open Spaces.
Timescale
2021
6.3
Action
Support and signpost community groups on tree planting and after care.
Output
Advice and signposting provided on sourcing trees, materials, choosing suitable species for site, etc.
Outcome
Community tree planting of suitable native species in suitable sites.
Cost and Whom
BDCC Officer and Go Green Go Wild function.
Timescale
2020-30.
6.4
Action
Work with Kent County Council to draft common position statement on biodiversity (including ensuring maintenance regimes which protect and enhance biodiversity).
Output
Position statement drafted.
Outcome
Higher standards of biodiversity achieve through enhanced collaboration.
Cost and Whom
Strategic Planning Officer time.
Timescale
2020-22
6.5
Action
Liaise with Kent Wildlife Trust to
- promote relevant schemes to residents, schools and community groups to encourage them to enhance biodiversity in their gardens and grounds
- Provide information on habitat development and the benefits of it to nature and ecosystem services
Output
- Schemes promoted
- Information on understanding habitats shared
Outcome
- Increase in numbers of residents, schools and community groups gaining Kent Wildlife Trust awards
- Reduction in complaints about, or vandalism of, new habitats
Cost and Whom
Communications team, Go Green Go Wild function.
Timescale
2020-30
6.6
Action
Work with Environment Agency, South East Rivers Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust and Medway Valley Countryside Partnership to enhance and expand wetland coverage in Borough (including removal of dams and culverts, achieving improvements to water quality and restoration of ponds, lakes, marshes, wet woodland and bogs).
Output
Identify wetland restoration, reconnection and creation project areas and deliver them.
Outcome
Deliver at least one major new wetland creation or restoration project each year.
Cost and Whom
Deliver at least one major new wetland creation or restoration project each year.
Timescale
2020-30.
6.7
Action
Work with partners to develop and implement a Nature Recovery Strategy, linking habitat restoration and creation to improve flood protection and water quality.
Output
Nature Recovery Strategy developed, and plan implemented.
Outcome
Habitats created and linked reducing flooding and improving water quality.
Cost and Whom
BDCC Officer, Heritage Landscape and Design Team time.
Timescale
2020-30.
6.8
Action
Work with local farms and landowners to deliver landscape scale biodiversity initiatives – including reconnection of fragmented natural habitats, floodplain restoration, reduced chemical inputs and reintroduction of lost key stone species.
Output
Project areas identified and landowners engaged and committed.
Outcome
Projects implemented and monitored.
Cost and Whom
BDCC Officer, Heritage Landscape and Design Team time.
Timescale
2020-30.
6.9
Action
Where feasible increase tree cover to 2/3 on our estate. Contribute to Kent aim to plant 1.5 million trees and aim towards national average tree cover of 16%. An emphasis on expansion and reconnection of existing woodland (including urban woods) will define this action.
Output
Plan created to increase tree cover. Funding identified for buying, planting and maintaining additional tree cover or using systems like ELMS to pay for tree cover in strategic sites.
Outcome
Tree cover increased on our estate where feasible.
Tree cover increased by 46-50 hectares in line with Kent aim.
Cost and Whom
Parks and Open Spaces, Heritage Landscape and Design Team and BDCC Officer time.
£414-50k for land.
£115k for tree planting @ £529- 565k.
Timescale
2021 -2030.
6.10
Action
Evaluate Council’s Go Green Go Wild work. Amend as needed and commit ongoing funds to ensure of work continues.
Output
Project evaluated and amended if needed to deliver suitable advice and support to individuals and community groups.
Outcome
Effective project to support individuals and community groups to enhance biodiversity in borough.
Cost and Whom
Parks and Open Spaces plus £10k for grants.
Timescale
2021.
6.11
Action
Ensure that all MBC land and property holdings and land subject to MBC maintenance interventions maximise value for biodiversity.
Output
Land and property assessed.
Outcome
Changes to management and/or introduction of enhancements
Cost and Whom
Parks and Open Spaces and Property Services (circa £10k).
Timescale
2020-30.
6.12
Action
Audit trees on council land and create maintenance plan.
Output
The location and state of trees on our land is known.
Outcome
Health of trees on our land known and maintenance plan created.
Cost and Whom
Parks and Opens Spaces Staff time for tree audit..
Timescale
2021.
6.13
Action
Review our non-operational land to assess potential for enhancing biodiversity including allowing community groups to take responsibility for management.
Output
Review completed, parcels of suitable land identified, relevant community groups contacted..
Outcome
Some parcels of non-operational land used to enhance biodiversity.
Cost and Whom
Property Services and BDCC Officer time.
Timescale
2022.
Making our estate carbon neutral
Aim: We will reduce emissions from our estate to as close to carbon neutral as possible by 2030
We emit 480 tCO2e from council owned vehicles and 679 tCO2e from electricity and gas in our buildings and indirectly emit 3,030 tCO2e from services outsourced.
7.1
Action
Review commissioned Carbon Trust report on
- energy and water efficiency measures
- travel and investment in infrastructure
- onsite renewable energy generation
Investigate how to fund recommendations from carbon reduction report including Public Section Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme and options for revolving loan fund to pay for renewable energy developments that payback over time.
Offset the 564 tCO2e carbon our estate will emit with the Carbon Trusts report recommendations implemented.
Output
Implement Carbon Trust report recommendations under spend to save, and investing in measures where needed.
Offset projects invested in with preference given to those in borough, followed by in county.
Outcome
Carbon emissions from our estate significantly reduced.
Suitable funds are identified and obtained. Offsetting residual emissions will ensure our estate is carbon neutral by 2030.
Cost and Whom
Indicative costs of £807k to save £77.5k per year when completed. Property Services, Procurement Team and BDCC officer time.
Timescale
2020-30.
7.2
Action
Measure our carbon footprint each year and report findings to relevant committee.
Output
The council’s carbon footprint is measured and reported.
Outcome
This provides a measure of the effectiveness of actions taken to reduce our carbon emissions.
Cost and Whom
BDCC officer.
Timescale
Annually.
7.3
Action
Buy 100% renewable energy for our buildings and operations where we control the supply.
Output
Energy switched to renewable supplier as each contract expires.
Outcome
The electricity used by the Council would be carbon neutral.
Cost and Whom
Unknown, possible minor increase or decrease in costs, Property services team.
Timescale
As each contract expires.
7.4
Action
Work in partnership to review our portfolio to identify those homes let as temporary accommodation eligible for insulation under ECO3 funding and arrange installation. Provide top up funding for any measures not fully funded under the ECO3 to ensure all homes let as temporary accommodation are energy efficient.
Investigate whether measures could be installed under the Green Homes Grant Scheme.
Output
The review will identify the carbon savings. Funding provided for ECO3 provider, or by Green Homes Grant Scheme.
Outcome
All homes let as temporary accommodation are energy efficient.
Cost and Whom
Top up for ECO3 £103,400 – from initial survey, may vary slightly. Green Homes Grant Scheme provides 2/3 of costs up to £5k. No prices obtained for these works as grant began 01/09/2020.
Housing Service.
Timescale
2020-22.
7.5
Action
Incorporate energy saving principles into our office accommodation strategy. Uses any learning from new working practices adopted due to COVID19 responses.
Output
Staff and members are supported to use technologies that enable remote and home working; use of expensive office space is minimised.
Outcome
Staff and members able to work effectively from home and less time spent on travel for meetings.
Cost and Whom
IT Staff time, Procurement team time, Head of Transformation and Property, possible IT costs.
Timescale
2020-30.
7.6
Action
Increase information held on leased buildings. Identify those with highest emissions to prioritise action. Use role as a landowner (e.g. at Lockmeadow) to ensure that Council-owned sites set a high standard for carbon reduction and demonstrate how to achieve biodiversity and combat climate change.
Output
All new developments, alterations and repairs will aspire to being carbon-neutral and will aim to contribute to overall carbon reduction targets.
Outcome
Council sites are recognised as ‘green’ buildings and spaces.
Details to be developed. Wherever possible, schemes are self-funding, based on lower energy costs.
Cost and Whom
Property Services, BDCC officer.
Timescale
2020-30.
7.7
Action
Provide LED lighting in the Maidstone Borough Council car parks that have not yet been improved.
Output
Replace lights with LED lights.
Outcome
Carbon emissions from car park lighting reduced by approximately 83%.
Cost and Whom
£15k
Parking and Property Services.
Timescale
2020-30
8 Implement a communications strategy
Aim: To enable residents, businesses and partner organisations to make informed decisions on climate change and biodiversity and access any funding available
The Council will encourage and support residents and businesses to address climate change and biodiversity with us.
8.1
Action
Support residents to understand the changes they can make to reduce, and prepare for, climate change and enhance biodiversity including;
- taking advantage of financial opportunities through energy efficiency and low-carbon energy generation measures
- creating less waste and increase proportion of recycling/composting
- using less water
- Buying from local businesses
- Reducing red meat consumption in line with Eatwell guidance
Signing up to Environment Agency’s flood warning service.
Work with KCC on joint campaigns where appropriate.
Output
- Provide relevant information on government grants and any local schemes on website and social media.
- Provide information on how to reduce, re-use and recycle waste
- Local and national campaigns used to promote buying from local businesses
- Lower red meat consumption promoted
Environment Agency’s flood warning service promoted using social media.
Outcome
- Residents use support available retrofit homes so reduce heating bills and reduce carbon emissions
- At least 60% of household waste is re-used, recycled/composted by 2030
- Residents use support provided by South East Water Company
- More buying from local businesses
- Residents eating less red meat
- Residents and businesses signed up to Environment Agency’s flood warning service
Cost and Whom
Housing and health Team, Waste Services, Regeneration and Economic Development and Communications Staff time, BDCC Officer
Timescale
2020-30
8.2
Action
Provide staff awareness information of biodiversity and climate change at induction, and job specific training. Each service area to have biodiversity and climate change induction, and job specific training.
Output
Improve the awareness, engagement and knowledge of our staff.
Outcome
All staff understand the importance of protection biodiversity and climate change and the impacts of their work on them. Staff representatives are identified, and suggestions box supplied.
Cost and Whom
BDCC officer time and other staff time.
Timescale
2020-21
8.3
Action
Inform partner organisations and residents about the threats from climate change and the ways they and we can adapt to its impacts.
Output
Organisations and residents plan for flooding, heat wave and storms.
Outcome
We have a list of organisations to send government heat wave advice to. Organisations and residents are signed up for flood alerts.
Cost and Whom
BDCC officer time and communications staff time.
Timescale
2020-30.
8.4
Action
Engage with and build support from key stakeholders and the wider public on enhancing biodiversity and addressing climate change.
Engage with relevant national days of action.
Output
Use information gathered to create and update a communications plan to support this action plan. Work in partnership with KCC as appropriate.
Outcome
Stakeholder and residents are regularly engaged and kept informed on the councils aims and progress on biodiversity and climate change.
Stakeholders and community groups are encouraged to create their own action plans.
Cost and Whom
BDCC officer time and communications staff time.
Timescale
2020-30.
8.5
Action
Support local businesses to
- use support available to reduce their emissions and generate their own power including liaising with KCC when LoCASE funding available
- Implement travel plans that promote walking, cycling and public transport
- Use the Kent Prepared website to raise awareness of how to prepare for flooding
Output
- Information, loans and grants on reducing emissions and generating power promoted
- Businesses supported to write travel plans
- Businesses signposted to Kent Prepared Website.
Outcome
- Businesses make use of grants and loans available
- Businesses have travel plan
- Businesses prepared for flooding impacts and has own plan
Cost and Whom
Regeneration and Economic Development and communications staff time.
Timescale
2020-30.
8.6
Action
Liaise with Parish Councils to support their work on biodiversity and climate change.
Output
Parish Councils supported to take actions and bid for funding.
Outcome
Parish Councils actively addressing biodiversity and climate change.
Cost and Whom
BDCC Officer.
Timescale
2020-30.
8.7
Action
Work with partners to address climate change and biodiversity effectively and sustainably.
Output
Best practice shared, ability to submit joint bids.
Outcome
Relevant Officers participate in
- Kent and Medway Environment Group
- Kent Climate Change Network
- Kent and Medway Sustainable Energy Partnership
- Kent Private Sector Housing Group
- Kent and Medway Air Quality Partnership
- Kent Environmental Health Managers Group
- Kent Resource Partnership
- Kent Planning Officers Group
- Kent Nature Partnership - working group
- Kent Resilience Forum – risk assessment group
- Transport for the South East
- Medway Flood Partnership
Cost and Whom
Staff time from relevant teams, many already participating.
Timescale
2020-30.
8.8
Action
Following successful legal action by Housing and Health Team regarding Category 1 Hazards of Excess cold and Building Control Team regarding buildings not built to required standard details to be sent to communications team who will draft press releases on Court cases.
Output
Press releases highlighting successful prosecutions.
Outcome
Accommodation and building standards improved and behaviour change as a result of enforcement.
Cost and Whom
Housing and Health, Building Control and Communications staff time.
Timescale
2020-30
9 Decision making process and governance
Aim: To ensure that climate change and biodiversity are part of all decisions made
It is essential that the council works as one organisation to the shared goals of addressing biodiversity loss and climate change.
9.1
Action
Provide briefings and training for Councillors and Officers on climate change and biodiversity to create a culture change and ensure climate change and biodiversity are integrated into decision making.
Output
Relevant training provided.
Report templates include reference to biodiversity and climate change impact
Decisions evidence that biodiversity and climate change has been taken into account
Outcome
Awareness and understanding of the impact of climate change and the importance of biodiversity and this is taken account of in all decision making.
Cost and Whom
Democratic Services Team, Councillor and Senior Officer time, BDCC officer time staff time
Timescale
2020-21.
9.2
Action
Establish biodiversity and climate change overview and scrutiny committee.
Output
Overview and scrutiny functions in relation to biodiversity and climate change
Decisions could be called in if relevant to biodiversity or climate change.
Outcome
Reports are scrutinised to ensure biodiversity is protected and climate change is considered.
Cost and Whom
Democratic Services staff time.
Timescale
2020-21
9.3
Action
Ensure service plans consider biodiversity and addressing climate change and performance indicators are set as needed.
Output
Opportunities for enhancing biodiversity and addressing climate change are considered when writing service plans and setting performance indicators.
Outcome
Service plans contribute towards addressing the ecological and climate change emergencies.
Cost and Whom
Officer time.
Timescale
2020-21.
9.4
Action
Review guidance used to help managers plan their services to ensure opportunities for enhancing biodiversity and mitigating and adapting to climate change are taken.
Output
Service design toolkit reviewed.
Outcome
Opportunities to enhance biodiversity and mitigate and adapt to climate change are taken when services are designed.
Cost and Whom
Transformation team.
Timescale
2020-21.
9.5
Action
Establish criteria for investment in climate change and biodiversity and invest to save schemes. These will consider (a) relative impact in terms of carbon reduction and (b) ease of delivery, such that expenditure is focused on deliverable, affordable initiatives that maximise impact on the carbon reduction target.
Output
Source external, including government, funding for climate change action.
Establishing arms-length delivery vehicles and securing innovative.
financial arrangements for climate change projects and programmes.
Outcome
Funds available for approved projects.
Cost and Whom
Finance Staff and BDCC Officer time.
Timescale
2020-21.
9.6
Action
Develop a corporate policy and approach to social value that incorporates enhancing biodiversity and reducing the council’s carbon footprint through the way we design, carry out and procure our services.
Output
Biodiversity and climate change criteria are integrated when developing tenders for services. Energy efficient equipment is chosen.
Outcome
Biodiversity protection and emission reduction metrics are included in tender assessments at each opportunity. Energy efficient equipment is chosen.
Cost and Whom
Transformation and Commissioning Staff, Finance and BDCC Officer time.
Timescale
2021.