A £1m budget is currently assigned to the Biodiversity and
Climate Change Action Plan. Wherever possible additional funding and grants
will be sought for the implementation of the Action Plan. Numerous projects
have commenced and/or have been scoped to meet the objectives of the Action
Plan. This table highlights only investigated and costed projects that have
either been conducted or are ready for implementation in 2022. All costings are
based on estimates from reputable contractors who specialise in these varying
works and specialties.
The table details the projects, the corresponding actions in
the Action Plan, the timeframe that the budget will be utilised, the outcome of
the investment, and the amount/costs being allocated from Biodiversity and
Climate Change Budget used to ‘top up’ pre-existing budgets within the
council’s other departments, fully finance projects, or combined with
additional funding and grants.
Theme
|
Project
and Corresponding Action
|
Details
|
Timeframe
|
Outcomes
|
Item to be Purchased / Upgraded
|
Department Existing Budget
Allocation
|
Biodiversity and Climate
Change Budget amount
(in
addition to other departments allocations)
|
Transport
|
Fleet Telematics
(Action 7.1)
|
As part of reducing MBC fleet carbon and mileage
management an audited of mileage and route management can be improved using
telematics software installed in all MBC vehicles. The telematics has been
installed to measure and reduce mileage and so emissions. Telematics can help
us plan for the electric vehicle or green fleet rollout and infrastructure
too as it gives good data for planning the range needed, and amount of charge
we’ll need to top up each night. It will also be useful once we have more
electric vehicles as using them efficiently will still be important.
|
Instillation completed November 2021
|
Alongside anti-idling and vehicle sharing would give
rise to 52.8 tCO2e/year saving and the potential for £21,250 savings per
year. Net Zero Fleet by 2030.
|
Telematics equipment and software
|
NA
|
£26,000.00
|
New/replacement Electric Vehicles for Depot
(Action 7.1)
|
To support our green fleet rollout and to ensure
opportunities are not missed when the Depots current vehicles is coming to
the end of its service life, the Depot’s planned replacement budget for
vehicles will be topped up to upgrade to the vehicle type’s electric
equivalent. So far identified; this will include six (6) fully electric Ford Transit
vans coming to market in April 2022 costing £45,000 each. This is in addition
to the three (3) Renaults EVs already purchased by the depot and will double
the number of EVs at the Depot in 2022.
|
2021 pr-ordered
|
Net Zero Fleet by 2030.
|
X 2 transits
|
£40,000.00
(Depot Planned Replacement Budget)
|
£45,000.00
|
2022
|
Net Zero Fleet by 2030.
|
X 4 transits
|
£80,000 (Depot Planned Replacement Budget)
|
£90,000.00
|
Feasibility study at depot to ascertain EV Rollout
and infrastructure requirements
(Action 7.1)
|
The feasibility study was commissioned to recommend a
phased approach to an electric vehicle replacement plan and instillation of
charging points towards 2030 NetZero, while allowing the depot to remain
fully operational and able to continue to deliver its vital services. The
study objective is to outline the projected costs for upgrading any needed
electrical infrastructure, charging points, and changes to the layout of the
depot parking.
|
Study Completed in December 2021
|
Enable a completely Eclectic Fleet to be adequality
charged at the MBC Depot and operations to continue towards Net Zero by 2030.
|
Feasibility Study Consulting services and site survey
|
£0
|
£14,362.06
|
Depot Substation
(Action 7.1)
|
In accordance with the findings of the above detail Feasibility
study the current electric infrastructure at the depot is nearly at maximum capacity,
meaning additional electric vehicles being charged at site will push the
limits of current electric capacity installed. An additional substation is
required on the depot site, to account for the additional (40) EV chargers
required and future proof the depot for transitioning to fully EV by 2030.
ICP Works Indicative range is £75,000 - £115,000,
including:
Packaged Substation £50,000.00
Associated Civils Work £40,000.00
GRP Enclosure £4,699.00
|
2022
|
Enable a completely Eclectic Fleet to be adequality
charged at the MBC Depot and operations to continue towards Net Zero by 2030.
|
GRP Substation – Transformer Type TR1
|
Capital improvements budget
|
£115,000.00
|
Anti-Idling Signs
(Action 1.7)
|
In collaboration with KCC to use 31 lampposts so far,
the Mid Kent Environmental Health team,
have bought and fabricated Anti-Idling Signs to encourage residents to turn
off their engines while waiting at school pick up points, unloading lorries
and other locations with many more locations to be identified in early 2022.
In addition to 14 signs to be put up in the Maidstone bus station.
Lightweight ‘correx’ signs have been selected, which are not as robust or
expensive as aluminium signs, however they have the advantage that MBC can
fix the signs without the need for a contractor. Further signs are needed to
continue to raise awareness across Maidstone Town Centre which is in keeping
with the Biodiversity and Climate Change Action Plan to support reductions in
carbon emissions from cars.
|
2021 and 2022
|
Reduce idling and therefore tailpipe emissions across
Maidstone, raise awareness and improve air quality.
|
X40 (20 of each A3, and A4) Lightweight ‘correx’
Anti-Idling Signs
|
£200.00 Mid Kent Environmental Health Budget
|
£200.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buildings
|
MBC Buildings Decarbonisation Feasibility Study
|
The procurement process has commenced to find
Consulting services to undertake a feasibility study that will include an
energy audit and building survey of ten (10) priority MBC buildings directly
managed by the council and devise a Decarbonisation Plan for each building
with Carbon Reduction Trajectory to 2030 that describes how MBC can reduce
energy usage, replace fossil fuel reliant systems with low carbon
alternatives – particularly heating systems, improve insulation, and maximise
its renewable energy production to meet the council’s commitment to reach Net
Zero by 2030. All recommendations will be in keeping with the grade listings
of the buildings and will look to maximise renewable energy generation, EV
charge points, rainwater capture and suitable retrofits.
|
2022
|
Net Zero by 2030
|
Decarbonisation Plans for 10 MBC priority buildings
|
£0 (corporate property budget)
|
£50,000.00
(Estimate based on similar sized building surveys and
energy audits)
|
Crematorium admin offices Electric Boiler and Power
Supply Upgrade
(Action 7.1)
|
The existing gas boilers came to the end of life and have
been upgraded with electric boiler equivalents.
|
Competed November 2021
|
Net Zero by 2022
|
Electric Boiler
|
£2,004.85 (corporate property budget)
|
£7,822.14
|
Instillation and works needed to upgrade the power
supply connection to meet the voltage requirements of new electric heating
system installed. Note: new installed capacity will be
sufficient to also in future instal EV charging points.
|
2022
|
Net Zero by 2022
|
Upgraded Power Supply to a 100-amp three phase supply
|
£0 (corporate property budget)
|
£8,059.65
|
Upgrades to MBC building’s energy efficiency, heating
systems, insulation, and LEDs.
Note:
Cost indicated here are minimum estimates for primary heating systems to be
shifted to heat pumps based on other similar works and are to be prioritised
and detailed as part of the decarbonisation feasibility study. This cost do
not include insulation, renewable energy and rainwater harvesting.
(Actions 7.1 / 3.3 / 2.6)
|
Maidstone House and Link Building have
three (3) gas boilers all over 10 years
that need replacing with low carbon/electric equivalents. Electric Boilers and air source heat pumps are based
on other similar undertakings - final costs will be determined by MBC
Buildings Decarbonisation Feasibility Study.
|
2022 to 2024
|
Net Zero by 2030
|
Air source heat pumps to cool as well as heat /
electric boilers
|
£2,000.00 corporate property maintenance budget
|
£25,000.00
(Estimate)
|
Maidstone Museum’s gas
boilers are coming to end of life and the West Wing is not well insulated.
Costs for additional insulation and heat source pumps are based on other
similar undertakings - final costs will be determined by MBC Buildings
Decarbonisation Feasibility Study and expected to be significantly higher
should retrofits need to be in keeping with Grade Listing Status of building.
|
2022 to 2024
|
Net Zero by 2030
|
Air source heat pump or CHP
Upgraded fabric wall insulation / window glazing
|
£2,000.00 corporate property maintenance budget
|
£30,000.00
(Estimate)
|
The Depot’s heating gas boiler is over 10 years old, and the main
maintenance bay is prone to overheating. An air source heat pump instillation
and point of use water heaters would solve both issues and eliminate the use
of Gas at the depot - final costs will be determined by MBC Buildings
Decarbonisation Feasibility Study.
|
2022 to 2024
|
Net Zero by 2030
|
Air source heat pumps to cool as well as
heat
POU water heaters in bathrooms
|
£2,000.00 corporate property maintenance budget
|
£25,000.00
(Estimate)
|
Crematorium heating system need upgrading
to low carbon alternative - final costs will be determined by MBC Buildings
Decarbonisation Feasibility Study.
|
2022 to 2024
|
Net Zero by 2030
|
Heat pump or heat recovery options
|
£2,000.00 corporate property maintenance budget
|
£30,000.00
(Estimate)
|
Town Hall has poor
insulation, and the heating system is in need of an upgrade - final costs
will be determined by MBC Buildings Decarbonisation Feasibility Study and
expected to be significantly higher should retrofits need to be in keeping
with Grade Listing Status of building.
|
2022 to 2024
|
Net Zero by 2030
|
Replace with air source heat pumps / CHP
Insulate loft and fabric insulation options
|
£2,000.00 corporate property maintenance budget
|
£30,000.00
(Estimate)
|
Market Hall (Lockmeadow Market) uses Gas ambi-rads which require upgrading to low carbon
alternatives - final costs will be determined by MBC Buildings
Decarbonisation Feasibility Study.
|
2022 to 2024
|
Net Zero by 2030
|
Air source heat pump
|
£2,000.00 corporate property maintenance budget
|
£30,000.00
(Estimate)
|
Cobtree Manor Park – Visitor’s centre
uses a Gas boiler from 2015 which is in
need of a low carbon replacement - final costs will be determined by MBC
Buildings Decarbonisation Feasibility Study.
|
2022 to 2024
|
Net Zero by 2030
|
Air/ground source heat pump
|
£2,000.00 corporate property maintenance budget
|
£19,000.00
(Estimate)
|
The Archbishops Palace heating system
requires a low carbon upgrade - final costs will be determined by MBC
Buildings Decarbonisation Feasibility Study and expected to be significantly
higher should retrofits need to be in keeping with Grade Listing Status of
building.
|
2022 to 2024
|
Net Zero by 2030
|
Air/water source heat pumps or CHP
Aa well as PV/hydro electric generation potential
|
£2,000.00 corporate property maintenance budget
|
£30,000.00
(Estimate)
|
The Archbishops Palace
Gate House’s heating system requires an low carbon upgrade - final costs will
be determined by MBC Buildings Decarbonisation Feasibility Study and expected
to be significantly higher should retrofits need to be in keeping with Grade
Listing Status of building.
|
2022 to 2024
|
Net Zero by 2030
|
Air source heat pumps to cool as well as heat
|
£2,000.00 corporate property maintenance budget
|
£19,000.00
(Estimate)
|
Maidstone Innovation Centre has Gas
boilers and PVs fitted as of 2021, were possible options for fitting
alternative heating, such heat pumps and additional solar PV generation -
final costs will be determined by MBC Buildings Decarbonisation Feasibility
Study.
|
2022 to 2024
|
Net Zero by 2030
|
ASHP, POU Water heaters, Rainwater harvesting, Expand
PV. Solar thermal for water
|
£2,000.00 corporate property maintenance budget
|
£40,000.00
(Estimate)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Biodiversity
|
Tree Planting
(All Actions from 6.1 through to 6.13 and Action 5.5)
|
As part of the ‘Call for Tree planting Projects’
launched in November 2021, an estimated budget of costs for subsidies and
match funding has been allocated for tree planting projects throughout 2022
and 2023. Maintenance for trees is also included as part of this estimated
budget, and costs will vary depending on site, species and age of appropriate
trees selected per project. Note: this budget is for large
scale tree planting projects and is contingent proposals/partnerships on
large scale areas of land.
|
2022-2023
|
Towards an Increase in canopy cover by 2% in
Maidstone Borough by 2050 and carbon sequestered.
|
60,000 saplings Note: prices will vary
widely depending on the site, age of tree, suitability, and funds available
from partner/landowner
|
NA
|
£300,000.00
|
Medway Valley Countryside Partnership Project
proposal: On a 1.5-hectare grassland site adjacent to the River Medway near
Yalding, the project proposes to maintain the existing extensive Himalayan
balsam on site and plant an additional 1200 trees (species such as oak, lime
and alder (where the site is wet and also ash and elm if disease resistant
tree stocks are identified prior to planting). This project has side benefits
of introducing riparian / flood plain tree and shrub cover to take some of
the energy out of flooding flows along the Medway and is on a public footpath.
The total includes after costs and maintenance volunteer groups led by MVCP
for 3 years.
|
2022
|
Towards an Increase in canopy cover by 2% in
Maidstone Borough by 2050. Flood flow rate reduction.
|
1200 saplings
|
NA
|
£7,355.00
|
Tree Maintenance
(Action 6.9)
|
New tree aftercare is needed for the saplings planted
at Allington Open Space – and will be carried out by community-based
volunteers with Medway Valley Countryside Partnership: eight project and
volunteer management days at £250 per day.
Actions include: maintenance, weeding, re-staking,
mulching, re-setting protection tubes or fences.
|
2022
|
community engagement e.g. 8 days x 12 volunteers – 96
volunteer days. 1000- 1200 Recently planted saplings given the best
opportunity to survive establish well and flourish. MBC owned trees
maintained, and carbon sequestered.
|
Tree aftercare and required maintenance
|
£0 Parks and Open Spaces
|
£2,000.00
|
High Profile Tree planting for Queens Green Canopy
(Action 6.9)
|
The creation of seven copses across the MBC parks
estate – each copse of 70 trees and shrubs – each will have 10 English oaks
within the mix of other UK species. The ground preparation would be
extensive in a similar style to the ‘Miyawaki method’ requiring deep ground preparations
and decompaction with addition of large volume of organic matter in soil and
heavy mulch. Also, the addition of mycorrhizal fungi to accelerate
establishment, soil health and long-term resilience.
|
2022
|
Creating a legacy of 70 English oaks amongst a mix of
UK native woodland species. All sites would have information panel to explain
significance of site. Aftercare greatly reduced because of intensive and
extensive ground preparation prior to planting and then heavy mulching.
|
Ground Works and sapling trees
|
£0 Parks and Open Spaces
|
£17,500.00
|
Wet Land Restoration
Sites in order of priority:
Mallards Way
Mote Park
Whatman Park
(Action 6.6)
|
There are opportunities for 4 wetland regeneration
projects as part of the MBC estate lands, to re-profile eroding banks,
utilising bio-engineering solutions of living structural material ie, planted
coir rolls, reed bed mats, willow spilings etc and increasing flood storage
by desilting ponds to original depths as well as silt utilised to
create/restore islands for wildlife and breeding birds.
|
2022-2023
|
Increased flood storage, resilient aquatic habitats,
increased biomass, improved amenity & access to nature. The islands
become safe refuges – undisturbed by dogs and public. Open spaces
aesthetically enhanced.
|
Specialist knowledge and equipment for wetland
restoration, all ground works.
|
£0 Parks and Open Spaces
|
£140,000.00
|
Greening Maidstone Town Centre Centre
(Action 6.1)
|
In partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust,
opportunities and locations in the Maidstone Town centre are being sought to
increase greenery, tree planters, green walls, living lampposts, herb
gardens, wildflowers and other biodiversity enhancing features.
|
2022
|
Greener town centre include: green corridors for
insects/pollinators, pollution reduction, increased human wellbeing,
reduction in climate intensified heat islands in urban centres, reducing
noise pollution and enhancing the aesthetics of the town centre.
|
Varying infrastructure required to increase greenery,
plants, seeds, trees
|
NA
|
£50,000.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Public Engagement and raising Biodiversity Awareness
and Climate Resilience
|
Implement the Biodiversity and Climate and Engagement
Strategy with Events in keeping with the Environmental Awareness Calendar
2022
(All Action from 8.1 to 8.8)
|
The launch of the Biodiversity and Climate Change Public
Communication and Engagement Strategy aims to inform and engage with the
general public on tree planting plans and activities. This campaign will seek
local community support and develop action groups to take part in awareness
raising, events and education initiatives on climate and biodiversity. The
strategy is inclusive, and will ensure gender equality, the inclusion of
minority groups, and that appropriate communication tools and outreach is
used. In 2022 the strategy will centre around the environmental awareness
calendar and seek to support local community groups with events and awareness
campaign at least once per month. Ideas and suggestions include: litter
picking, tree and wild flower planting, EV awareness and no drive days, cycle
to school days, energy saving, circular economy, no mow may, composting,
recycling and others led by community groups themselves and orchestrated
through the MBC Go Green Go Wild Website.
|
2022
|
Biodiversity and Climate Knowledge and awareness
increased. Increase in number of groups and individuals engaged with.
|
Biodiversity and Climate Events
|
£0 Communications Team
£0 from waste management
£0 Parks and Open Spaces
Some funds maybe available from post Covid-19
recovery
|
£30,000.00
|
Upgrades to Go Green Go Wild Website
(Action 6.3)
|
In accordance with Action 6.3, the Go Green Go Wild
Website and award-winning scheme must be reutilised and upgraded for
awareness raising and community engagement.
|
2022
|
Biodiversity and Climate Knowledge and awareness
increased. Increase in number of groups and individuals engaged with.
|
Upgraded and managed website for community engagement
and outreach
|
£0 Communications Team
£0 Parks and Open Spaces
|
£10,000.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Data Improvement, Management and Monitoring
|
Dashboard System
(Action 7.2 and 7.5)
|
MBC can automate and improve data quality through the
introduction of a comprehensive dashboard system that includes up to date
information on MBC’s energy usage / fleet fuel consumption / staff travel /
trees planted vs carbon sequestered ect. The primary outcome of the dashboard
system would be to monitor carbon reduction progress and continues footprint
analysis on a building by building and vehicle by vehicle carbon reductions
to track progress and improve data management towards net zero 2030.
|
2022
|
More accurate Carbon data, improved data management,
increased transparency.
|
Consultant services to establish dashboard and annual
software fees
|
NA
|
£10,000.00
|
Automated Data input from Laser
(Action 7.2)
|
(as part of dashboard) Laser to update data on all
buildings energy usage on monthly basis and half hourly data for museums and other
public buildings.
|
2022 Renewed on an annual basis
|
Improved data management.
|
Automated energy usage data
|
NA
|
£500.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Budget allocated
from other departments:
|
£142,200.85
|
|
|
Total Biodiversity and
Climate Change Budget Allocated:
|
£1,201,798.85
|