Contact your Parish Council
Biodiversity and Climate Change Action Plan
Action |
Portfolio Holder and PAC |
Responsible Officer |
Direct control or under influence |
Timescale |
Outputs |
Outcomes |
Key Performance Indicator |
Monitoring |
Budget |
Active travel and green transportation |
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Action 1.1 Update the Integrated Transport Strategy, and work towards a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan to prioritise walking, cycling, public transport, and electric vehicles. |
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC |
Alison Broom
William Cornall
Rob Jarman
Phil Coyne
Claire Weeks
Mark Egerton
Helen Garnett |
Direct |
2023-24 |
Update the Integrated Transport Strategy |
Improvements in Borough Air quality
Reduction of CO2e
Increase Active Travel
Increase Public Transportation usage
Reduce Pollution
Support transition to EVs
|
NA |
Biannual |
Officer Time |
Action 1.2 Deliver policies that enable infrastructure for:
|
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC |
Alison Broom
William Cornall
Rob Jarman
Phil Coyne
Claire Weeks
Mark Egerton
Helen Garnett |
Direct |
2023-24 |
Update Sustainability DPD as part of larger Development Plan |
As above
|
Percentage change of low carbon transportation, active travel, and public transport |
Biannual
From the Planning Monitoring Report |
Officer Time |
Action 1.3 Identify low carbon transportation, active travel, and public transport indicators that align with strategic planning and monitor implementation of sustainable transport policies. |
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC |
Alison Broom
William Cornall
Rob Jarman
Phil Coyne
Claire Weeks
Mark Egerton
Helen Garnett |
Direct |
2023-24 |
Identify and Align Indicators from Planning to BCC Action Plan |
As above
|
Percentage change of low carbon transportation, active travel, and public transport |
Biannual
From the Planning Monitoring Report |
Officer Time |
Action 1.4 Deliver Policy that ensures sustainable travel, such as bike racks, pool cars, electric vehicle charging, active travel, is integrated into all Maidstone Borough Council construction of new buildings (offices, housing, leisure facilities) and building acquisitions.
|
Cllr John Perry
CSPAC |
Mark Green
Katie Exon
|
Direct |
When any new building is completed or purchased |
Develop and implement Policy |
MBC Staff Carbon Footprint Reduced
Increase in sustainable travel |
NA |
Biannual
|
Officer Time |
Action 1.5 Deliver an Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy for the borough that provides sufficient EV charging infrastructure to support the transition to EVs and reduces range anxiety, with consideration of changing and new emerging technologies.
|
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC |
Jen Stevens
Claire Weeks
|
Direct |
2023-24 |
Deliver an Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy |
Increase confidence in emerging EV market, and reduce range anxiety |
Number of Electric Vehicle Charging Points Installed |
Biannual
From the Planning Monitoring Report |
Officer Time |
Action 1.6 Facilitate a move to electric taxis by providing nine rapid charge points in total by 2025, and twelve rapid charge points by 2030. |
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC
And
Cllr Lottie Parfitt-Reid
CHEPAC |
John Littlemore
Lorraine Neale
|
Influence
|
2023-25 |
Work with Taxi trade to find location, support funding, install rapid chargers |
Increase in Taxi EVs
Reduction in pollution and CO2e |
Number of Electric Vehicle Charging Points Installed |
Biannual
|
Officer Time |
Action 1.7 Work with the taxi trade to find solutions to licencing that will encourage gradual business led shift to EVs’ and promote greener accreditation and campaigns to support taxi trade to move to EVs. |
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC
And
Cllr Lottie Parfitt-Reid
CHEPAC |
John Littlemore
Lorraine Neale
|
Influence
|
2023-25 |
Work with Taxi trade to establish accreditation |
Increase in Taxi EVs
Reduction in pollution and CO2e |
Number of EV taxi |
Biannual
|
Officer Time |
Action 1.8 Actively participate in Quality Bus Partnership and ensure that the borough’s infrastructure is bus friendly. |
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC
|
Rob Jarman
Phil Coyne
Claire Weeks
Mark Egerton
Helen Garnett
Duncan Haynes |
Influence
|
2023-25 |
Deliver bus friendly infrastructure |
Lower emission busses
Increase in public transportation usage |
Improvement in Borough Air Quality |
Annual |
Officers Time |
Decarbonising and insulating homes and buildings |
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Action 2.1 Explore grants schemes for residents, landlords and housing associations, for retrofitting insulation, and low carbon heating systems. |
Cllr Simon Webb
and
Cllr Lottie Parfitt-Reid
CHEPAC |
John Littlemore
Hannah Gaston
|
Direct |
2023-2024 |
Explore grant scheme potential |
Increase in residents’ retrofits to low carbon systems
Reduced utility bills/costs
Improvements in EPC ratings
Reductions in CO2e |
Number of residents with EPC rating improvements of A-C from D-G |
Annual
From Central Government Data |
Grants if scheme and funding is identified |
Action 2.2 Enforce Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015. |
Cllr Simon Webb
CHEPAC |
John Littlemore
Hannah Gaston
|
Direct |
2023-2024 |
Enforce Energy Efficiency |
As above |
As above |
Annual |
Officer time |
Generating renewable energy |
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Action 3.1 Ensure Sustainability DPD as part of larger Development Plan requires on-site renewables on all types of new developments and identify indicators that align with strategic planning and monitor implementation. |
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC |
Rob Jarman
Phil Coyne
Claire Weeks
Mark Egerton
Helen Garnett |
Direct |
2023 onwards |
Ensure DPD policy is enacted |
Increase in renewable energy generation in the borough |
Percentage of onsite renewable energy generation in new developments 10% adopted standard |
Biannual
From the Planning Monitoring Report |
Officer Time |
Reducing waste |
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Action 4.1 Investigate recycling strategies in the Town centre. |
Cllr Martin Round
CHEPAC |
John Edwards |
Influence |
2023-24 |
Investigate recycling strategies and budget for additional bins and awareness campaigns in town centre |
Increase in recycling |
NA |
Biannual
|
Officer Time |
Action 4.2 Ensure MBC offices and buildings have recycling facilities. |
Cllr Martin Round
CHEPAC |
Katie Exon |
Direct |
2023-24 |
Develop policy and contracts to ensure MBC buildings are able to recycle waste |
Increase in recycling |
NA |
Biannual
|
Officer Time |
Adapting to climate change |
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Action 5.1 Deliver policy as part of design and sustainability DPD and future Development Plan evolution for long term climate change adaptation in new developments to flooding, heatwaves, and drought and ensure longer term climate impacts are being considered as part of planning and policy decisions. Identify indicators that align with strategic planning and monitor implementation. |
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC |
Rob Jarman
Mark Egerton
Helen Garnett |
Direct |
2023 |
Deliver policy for long term climate change adaptation in new developments
Identify indicators |
Flooding, heat and drought impacts of climate change are considered in planning and long-term development |
NA |
Annual |
Officer Time |
Action 5.2 Identify actions to mitigate climate change in existing developments. |
Cllr Lottie Parfitt-Reid
CHEPAC |
James Wilderspin
Gemma Bailey |
Influence |
2023-24 |
Identify actions |
Reductions in climate impacts to existing communities
Increase in resilience to impacts of climate change |
NA |
Biannual |
Officer Time |
Action 5.3 Conduct Borough Climate Impact Assessment and (i) identify natural flood management (nature-based solutions and sustainable urban drainage), (ii) build local communities’ resilience, (iii) support business continuity management, and (iv) priorities and strengthen power and water supply and other critical infrastructure ensuring more resilient communities.
|
Cllr John Perry
CSPAC
And
Cllr Lottie Parfitt-Reid
CHEPAC |
James Wilderspin
Gemma Bailey |
Influence |
2023-25 |
Conduct Impact Assessment
Work with communities to develop strategies |
Reductions in climate impacts to existing communities
Increase in resilience to impacts of climate change
Reduce impacts on water security and critical infrastructure |
NA |
Annual |
Officer Time |
Enhancing and increasing biodiversity |
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Action 6.1 Monitor Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) to adopted 20% standard. |
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC |
Mark Egerton
Helen Garnett |
Direct |
2023-27 |
Monitor Biodiversity Net Gain |
20% increase in Biodiversity as a result of new developments |
Percentage of planning applications meeting Biodiversity Net Gain 20% adopted standard |
Biannual
From Planning Monitoring Report |
Officer Time |
Action 6.2 Ensure sustainable urban drainage schemes (SuDS) maximise biodiversity potential. |
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC |
Mark Egerton
Helen Garnett |
Direct |
2023-27 |
Monitor Biodiversity Net Gain |
20% increase in Biodiversity as a result of new developments |
Percentage of planning applications meeting Biodiversity Net Gain 20% adopted standard |
Biannual
From Planning Monitoring Report |
Officer Time |
Action 6.3 Develop Supplementary Planning Documents for Garden community and other strategic development sites that ensure are exemplar for biodiversity and deliver semi natural open space. |
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC |
Mark Egerton
Helen Garnett |
Direct |
2023-27 |
Develop Supplementary Planning Documents |
20% increase in Biodiversity as a result of new developments |
NA |
Biannual
|
Officer Time |
Action 6.4 Enhance and expand wetland coverage across the Borough to support nutrient neutrality, flood prevention, and enhance biodiversity. |
Cllr David Burton
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC
And
Cllr Martin Round
CHEPAC |
Mark Green
Rob Jarman
James Wilderspin |
Direct |
2023-25 |
Identify wet land development sites
integrate with SuDS, BNG, Nutrient Neutrality
Develop businesses case for land acquisition for water cycle management and habitat restoration |
Increase and restore wetlands
Reduce pollution (phosphates and nitrates)
Reduce surface water runoff, flow rates and flooding
Increase and improve habitats and biodiversity
|
Water quality
|
Biannual |
Estimated £200,000 over 2 year period on already identified sites |
Action 6.5 Implement a Nature Recovery Strategy, linking habitat restoration and creation to improve flood protection and water quality.
|
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC
|
Rob Jarman
James Wilderspin |
Direct |
2023-27 |
Implement a Nature Recovery Strategy |
As Above |
NA |
Biannual |
Officer Time |
Action 6.6 Work with local farms and landowners to deliver landscape scale biodiversity initiatives Nature Recovery Strategy – including reconnection of habitats, floodplain restoration, reduced chemical inputs and reintroduction of lost native species. |
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC
And
Cllr Lottie Parfitt-Reid
CHEPAC |
Rob Jarman
James Wilderspin
Gemma Bailey |
Influence |
2023-30 |
Engage with farmers and landowners |
Reconnection of habitats
floodplain restoration
reduced chemical inputs reintroduction of lost native species |
NA |
Biannual |
Officer Time |
Action 6.7 Increase borough canopy cover expanding ancient forests and reconnecting of existing woodland including urban woods, and greening town centres. |
Cllr David Burton
CHEPAC
|
James Wilderspin
Rob Jarman
Andrew Williams
|
Direct |
2023-2030 |
Partner and develop large scale tree planting and rewilding opportunities
Develop business case for land acquisition linking BNG, Nutrient Neutrality, social values and green spaces and flood reduction via tree and rewilding planting projects |
borough canopy cover expanded
More CO2e sequestered
Increased biodiversity |
Number of Trees planted / area of land rewilded |
Biannual |
£200,000 |
Action 6.8 Review Maidstone Borough Council non-operational land to assess potential for enhancing biodiversity including allowing community groups to take responsibility for management.
|
Cllr John Perry
CSPAC |
James Wilderspin
|
Direct |
2023 |
As above |
As above
Community groups engaged |
NA |
Biannual |
Officer time |
Making our estate carbon neutral |
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Action 7.1 Deliver Maidstone Borough Council 2030 Net Zero Commitment, by: (i) Decarbonising the councils’ buildings through low carbon heating, LEDs, insulation and smart controls, (ii) decarbonising the council’s fleet to fully EV, (iii) investing in renewable energy generation, (iv) incorporating energy saving principles into office strategies, and (v) supporting staff to shift to electric/ultra-low emission vehicles, public transportation and more flexible working. |
Cllr John Perry
CSPAC
Cllr Claudine Russell
ERLPAC |
Mark Green
Katie Exon
Darren Guess
James Wilderspin |
Direct |
2023-28 |
Develop Decarbonisation plan and timeline
Identify and apply for funding for retrofitting and upgrading MBC buildings heating and insulation
Identify renewable energy projects and partnerships
Ensure electricity capacity at depot for fleet transition to EV
Upgrade Fleet to EVs |
MBC Net Zero 2030 |
Percentage Change of Carbon Emissions from MBC Buildings, Fleet, Contracts (ie Scope 1, 2) |
Biannual |
£900,000 to £1,500,000
Seeking match funding from PSDS |
Action 7.2 Measure the Council’s carbon footprint each year and report findings to relevant committees and the public. |
Cllr David Burton
And
Cllr John Perry
CSPAC |
James Wilderspin
Katie Exon |
Direct |
Annually |
Calculate Carbon Footprint of Scope 1/2/3 |
MBC Net Zero Planning and monitoring for 2030 |
Carbon Footprint Dashboard
Percentage Change of Carbon Emissions from MBC Buildings, Fleet, Contracts (ie Scope 1, 2 and 3) |
Quarterly |
Officer Time |
Action 7.3 Purchase 100% renewable energy for our buildings and operations where we control the supply (market dependant with maximum 10% offset) and investigate Public Energy Partnership Power Purchase Agreement (PEPPPA). |
Cllr John Perry
CSPAC |
Mark green
James Wilderspin
Katie Exon |
Direct |
2023-24 |
Move to 100% green tariff
Develop and/or pay for offsets
Investigate renewable energy business cases, purchases, investments and partnerships |
MBC Net Zero 2030 |
NA |
Annually |
Officer Time |
Action 7.4 Identify temporary accommodation assets eligible for insulation and low carbon heating upgrades under funding schemes and arrange installation. Provide top up funding for any measures not fully funded to ensure all homes let by MBC as temporary accommodation are energy efficient and EPC rating improved to requirement.
|
Cllr Simon Webb
CHEPAC |
William Cornall
|
Direct |
2023-24
|
Identify temporary accommodation
Upgrade accommodation |
Improved EPC ratings
Reduced utilities |
NA |
Annually |
Officer Time |
Action 7.5 Improve data management on all property including leased buildings and prioritise decarbonisation actions and improve EPC ratings. |
Cllr John Perry
CSPAC
And
Cllr Claudine Russell
ERLPAC |
Katie Exon
James Wilderspin |
Direct |
2023-24 |
Improve Data Management |
Reduce energy bills
Improve EPC ratings |
Percentage change/ reduction in Utility costs/KWh for Gas, Electricity, Water usage at leased assets. |
Annually |
Officer Time |
Action 7.6 Deliver 100% LED lighting in MBC carparks. |
Cllr Paul Cooper
P&IPAC |
Jeff Kitson
|
Direct |
2023-24 |
Upgrade lighting |
Reduces costs
Improved efficiency |
NA |
Annually |
Estimated £30,000 |
Communications and engagement strategy |
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Action 8.1 Support residents (including adults, women, youths and children, faith groups, minority groups, and marginalised groups), partners, and wider stakeholders (Parish councils, farmers, and landowners) to understand the changes they can make to reduce and prepare for climate change. Including:
|
Cllr Lottie Parfitt-Reid
CHEPAC |
Gemma Bailey
Julie Maddocks |
Influence |
2023-25 |
Develop engagement events / campaigns
Newsletters / social media awareness raising
|
Informed residents on Climate change and biodiversity loss
Increase resilience to the impacts of climate change
improved health and well being
reduction in household bills
reduction in household waste
increase in public transport and active travel |
NA |
Biannual |
£30,000 per annum |
Action 8.2 Provide staff awareness information of biodiversity and climate change at induction and provide job specific sustainability training to each service area.
|
Cllr David Burton
CHEPAC |
Gemma Bailey
|
Direct |
2023 |
Implement Carbon Literacy Training and tailor to each service area |
Informed staff |
Number of Staff carbon literate accredited |
Biannual |
Officer Time |
Action 8.3 Enable local businesses to reduce their carbon footprint by providing information on funding opportunities, carbon calculators, localised supply chains and travel plans that promote active travel and public transport, and support businesses to use the Kent Prepare website to raise awareness of how to prepare for flooding.
|
Cllr David Burton
Cllr Lottie Parfitt-Reid
CHEPAC |
Julie Maddocks
Chris Inwood
Gemma Bailey
|
Influence |
2023-25 |
Support businesses with information, funding opportunities and partnerships |
Reduction in local business CO2e and associated costs |
NA |
Biannual |
Officer Time |
Sustainable decision-making processes and governance |
|||||||||
Action 9.1 Provide briefings and training for councillors and our managers on carbon, climate change, and biodiversity to create a culture change and ensure climate change and biodiversity are integrated into decision making.
|
Cllr David Burton
CHEPAC |
Gemma Bailey
|
Direct |
2023 |
Implement carbon literacy training |
Awarded carbon literacy accreditation |
Number of Cllr carbon literate accredited |
Biannual |
Officer Time |
Action 9.2 Ensure service plans consider biodiversity and climate change and monitor with performance indicators, so that managers plan their services to ensure opportunities for enhancing biodiversity and mitigating and adapting to climate change are taken.
|
Cllr John Perry
CSPAC
|
Carly Benville
Anna Collier
James Wilderspin
|
Direct |
2023 |
Implement KPIs |
Each service area considers climate and biodiversity in decision making and monitoring |
NA |
Biannual |
Officer Time |
Action 9.3 Deliver Policy that ensures sustainability criteria is used for all Maidstone Borough Council construction of new buildings (offices, housing, leisure facilities) and sustainability criteria is part of decision-making process for all Maidstone Borough Council building acquisitions, to ensure buildings owned by the council are sustainable, future proofed, and align with our net zero commitment.
|
Cllr John Perry
CSPAC
|
Mark Green
Paul Holland
|
Direct |
2023-24 |
Develop and integrate policy
Define sustainable criteria to consider on all new building acquisition and construction |
Reduced utilities
Future proofed investments |
NA |
Biannual |
Officer Time |
Action 9.4 Establish criteria for investment in climate change and biodiversity and invest to save schemes (eg. renewables, heat networks). These will consider relative impact in terms of carbon reduction and ease of delivery, such that expenditure is focused on deliverable, affordable initiatives that maximise impact on the carbon reduction targets.
|
Cllr David Burton
And
Cllr John Perry
CSPAC |
James Wilderspin |
Direct |
2023-24 |
Develop business cases / seek partnerships
Establish criteria for investment |
Carbon emission reductions
Invest to save schemes
Investments in green projects |
NA |
Annually |
Officer Time |
Action 9.5 Deliver corporate policy and sustainable procurement approach to reduce (Scope 3) MBC carbon footprint from contracts and services and ensure a ‘carbon cost’ is part of procurement and decision making. |
Cllr John Perry
CSPAC
|
Dan Hutchins
Adrian Lovegrove
James Wilderspin |
Direct |
2023-24 |
Work with services and contracts to reduce CO2e / disclose footprints / reduce supply chains
Reduce spending / triple bottom line using carbon costs as well as financial costs for decision making |
Reduction in MBC scope 3 |
Carbon footprint dashboard |
Biannual |
Officer Time
£10,000 to £22,000 in consulting fees |