Our Climate Change Plan
Last updated 26 May 2022
Contents
Warmer, healthier homes
Building a low carbon economy
Transport and infrastructure
Healthy and resilient communities
Cross-cutting actions
Our Climate Change Plan
Wyre Forest District Council’s ‘A Climate for Change’ plan cuts across all council services and is led by our Head of Strategic Growth, who is an officer on our Corporate Leadership Team. Sustainability, including climate change - falls within the deputy leader’s portfolio of responsibilities.
A Green Advisory Panel, made up of councillors from across the political spectrum, meets monthly to progress development and delivery and an update is reported annually to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The importance of climate change is reflected in the priorities and strategic actions in our Corporate Plan 2021 to 2023.
Our Climate Change Plan focusses on the areas we are able to control or influence as a district council within a two tier system. We also work in partnership with other organisations with responsibilities outside of our own remit to help deliver the Worcestershire Energy and Climate Change Strategies.
The Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and aims to achieve Net Zero by 2050. Information about Wyre Forest’s carbon emissions can be found on our Climate Change page.
Description | Who | Expected outcomes/timescale | Resources | Notes and more information |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ongoing promotion and delivery of schemes to install domestic energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. |
Health and Sustainability Private Sector Housing Act on Energy |
Ongoing promotion and delivery throughout the year. 150 measures to be installed through the various schemes. |
Act on Energy Service Level Agreement in place. Internal funding used for fuel poverty assistance where external funding not available. |
For more information visit our energy efficiency page. |
Develop, co-ordinate and deliver energy efficiency schemes, utilising external funding where possible e.g. Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Sustainable Warmth funding for measures including low carbon heating, insulation, domestic renewable energy. |
Health and Sustainability Private Sector Housing team |
Ongoing throughout the year |
Sustainable Warmth funding |
For more information visit our energy efficiency page.
|
Participate in collective scheme for domestic solar panel installation |
Health and
|
Spring 2023 | Existing resource in place through Warmer Worcestershire Network |
|
Deliver a Winter Warmth awareness campaign in Wyre Forest |
Health and Sustainability
|
Autumn/Winter 2022/23 | Promoted using existing resources. |
Promotion of the various energy schemes through newsletters, social media, partnership work. |
Deliver a programme of energy advice/information/training sessions online, by phone or face-to-face. |
Act on Energy Health and Sustainability |
1000 enquiries to be processed |
Act on Energy SLA in place. | Act on Energy helpline 0800 988 2881 |
Deliver project to improve energy efficiency and thermal comfort within the private rented sector. |
Health & Sustainability Private Sector Housing Act on Energy |
Ongoing throughout the year. | Within existing resources. | Includes landlord enforcement, promotion of available support, communications & training. |
Household support fund support for energy bills/ fuel debt/heating repairs. |
Act on Energy Health and |
Ongoing throughout the year. | Household Support Funding allocation. |
WORCESTERSHIRE HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND - Act On Energy |
Affordable Warmth and Health- increase collaborative working on improving affordable warmth for those most vulnerable due to health conditions. |
Health and Wyre Forest |
Ongoing throughout the year. | Within existing resources. | |
Completion and publication of mandatory Home Energy Conservation Act report |
Health and Act on Energy |
31 March 2023 |
Description | Who | Timescale | Resources | Notes/further information |
---|---|---|---|---|
Publicise available resource efficiency / low carbon support to local businesses and encourage uptake. | Lead by Worcestershire County Council |
Ongoing promotion throughout the year. |
Externally funded | Support for Businesses | Worcestershire County Council |
Participate in county wide work on the low carbon economy sector |
Health and Sustainability NWEDR |
Ongoing | Staff time | |
Investigate opportunities for renewable energy generation/ storage on council owned land. | WFDC | Winter 2022 | Funding in place for feasibility work |
Description | Who | Timescale | Resources | Notes/further information |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ongoing support to the Wyre Forest Cycle Forum to strive for cycling infrastructure improvements and promote cycling opportunities. |
Health and Sustainability Wyre Forest Cycle Forum |
Ongoing throughout the year | Staff time | |
Work with Cycle Forum to promote and develop short local cycle routes. |
Health and Sustainability Wyre Forest Cycle Forum |
Ongoing | Funding already in place | For more information on cycle routes within Wyre Forest please visit our cycling information page. |
Implement planning policy as part of the Local Plan work- low carbon and renewable energy; sustainable transport , electric vehicle infrastructure. |
Health and Sustainability Planning Policy |
Ongoing | Staff time | |
Installation of electric vehicle charge points in WFDC owned car parks. |
Health and |
Autumn 2022 | Funding agreed | |
Investigate opportunities for EV Taxi charging/ changing licensing policy to move away from fossil fuel vehicles. |
WRS |
Ongoing | External funding would be sought. | |
Reduce carbon emissions from vehicle fleet and staff travel |
Health and Sustainability Fleet Management Energy Savings Trust |
2022 | TBC |
Healthy and resilient communities
Description | Who | Timescale | Resources |
---|---|---|---|
Deliver carbon literacy training (in house) | Health and Sustainability | Autumn 2022 | Existing resources/staff time |
Ongoing communications and engagement through the Greener Wyre Forest campaign |
Health and Sustainability Communications |
Ongoing | Staff time |