Active Travel and Green Transportation

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.

Councillor John Perry

Corporate Services Policy Advisory Committee

Mark Green

Katie Exon

Officers are investigating standardising policy for MBC developments to incorporate where possible, sustainable travel initiatives.

NA

2024

Across timeline to 2030

On track

Adapting to Climate Change

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.

Councillor John Perry

Corporate Services Policy Advisory Committee

And

Councillor Claudine Russell

Communities, Leisure and Arts Policy Advisory Committee

James Wilderspin

Gemma Bailey

Officers continue to seek partnerships on tree planting and nature-based solutions with private landowners of flood elevation efforts.

Communications and projects such as the Maidstone Eco Hub comprise climate adaptation information and awareness raising of climate impacts to raise awareness throughout the community and local businesses.

Officers are investigating Local Energy Action Plans (LEAPs) which are strategic documents developed by local authorities and other relevant stakeholders to outline their approach to sustainable energy management and the transition to low-carbon, renewable energy sources at the local level.  Costing approximate £120k for a full LAEP. Due to the size of Kent, it would need to be sub-divided into 2-3 LAEP areas and Districts are being encouraged to work together to develop LEAPs. Folkestone are currently undergoing a pilot and planning to share their experience developing a LEAP. Swale are likely to be interested partnership with Maidstone. 

NA

2023

Across timeline to 2030

On track

Enhancing and Increasing Biodiversity

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.

Councillor John Perry

Corporate Services Policy Advisory Committee

James Wilderspin

Officers continue to investigate the viability of biodiversity enhancing projects on MBC land. Two previously identified sites are being considered for BNG offsite provision and an assessment in collaboration with Kent Wildlife Trust will be undertaken in spring 2024 to develop the projects and align with mandatory BNG.

NA

2022

Across timeline to 2030

On track

Making our Estate Carbon Neutral

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.

Councillor John Perry

Corporate Services Policy Advisory Committee

And

Councillor Claudine Russell

Communities, Leisure and Arts Policy Advisory Committee

James Wilderspin

Mark Green

Katie Exon

Darren Guess

16% of the MBC fleet have now been upgrade to EV's (11 of 65 vehicles total), with a further x2 EVs on order for 2024. There are now a total of 31 plug in charging points installed at the depot.

4 buildings have been fully upgraded to LEDs.

Preplanning advise is currently being sought for a solar canopy car port project in Mote Park Car Park, to be private wired to the leisure centre to reduce its operational costs and carbon emissions.

On November 7^th 2023, officers submitted a largescale bid for Phase 3c of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) for £3,126,536 to retrofit Maidstone House. Included in the bid were provisions for developing detailed designs, upgrading the heating system, replacing the glazing, fully insulating the building, upgrading all the lights to LED, and installing Solar PV on the Link business terrace roof. The preparation of this bid included a complex and technical set of documents and schematics, energy saving calculations, costing and quotes evidence, project management programme, and risks register. The submission of the bid is a first come first serve organised by Salix, where applicants need to submit a bid a soon as the portal opens to be in for a chance to be considered. On the 7th of November, officers were able to submit the application in under 4 minutes and are currently waiting to be notified if the bid is successful.

Percentage Change of Carbon Emissions from MBC Buildings, Fleet, Contracts (ie Scope 1, 2)

2022

2030

On track

Action 7.2 Measure the Council’s carbon footprint each year and report findings to relevant committees and the public.

Councillor David Burton

And

Councillor John Perry

Corporate Services Policy Advisory Committee

James Wilderspin

Katie Exon

There has been a 10% carbon reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions between 2021/22 and 2022/23.

Carbon Footprint Dashboard

Percentage Change of Carbon Emissions from MBC Buildings, Fleet, Contracts (ie Scope 1, 2 and 3)

2022

Across timeline to 2023

On track

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).

Councillor John Perry

Corporate Services Policy Advisory Committee

Mark green

James Wilderspin

Katie Exon

As stated in the July update REGO rates continue to rise for costs for renewable. (Please see July 2023 report for further detail of REGO schemes). In the meantime alternative approaches are being explored.

Officers have identified seven potential solar PV projects on Council buildings to maximise the renewable energy generated on these buildings for direct use by the Council cutting utility bills and reducing the Council’s carbon emissions with a relatively fast payback period for investment (outline in Appendix 2 of the July 2023 Action Plan Update report).

NA

2022

Across timeline to 2023

Delayed due to finding alternative to REGO

Action 7.5 Improve data management on all property including leased buildings and prioritise decarbonisation actions and improve EPC ratings.

Councillor John Perry

Corporate Services Policy Advisory Committee

And

Councillor Claudine Russell

Communities, Leisure and Arts Policy Advisory Committee

Katie Exon

James Wilderspin

Officers continue to improve Data Management for MBC key buildings, and work with Laser Energy and Fidums to monitor consumption.

Officers are still working to improve leased data management, particularly for the temporary housing stock.

Percentage change/ reduction in Utility costs/KWh for Gas, Electricity, Water usage at leased assets.

2023

Across the timeline to 2030

On track

Sustainable Decision-Making Processes and Governance

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.

Councillor John Perry

Corporate Services Policy Advisory Committee

Carly Benville

Anna Collier

James Wilderspin

Next refresh and update of the Carbon dashboard is planned in 2024.

24/25 KPIs are in the process of being developed and brought to members in Jan/Feb 2024 PACs.

The next round of service planning is in earl 2024.

Refresh of dashboard will next be by 31 January 2024.

New KPIs will be in place and agreed for 1st April 2024.

NA

2023

Across the timeline to 2030

On track

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.

Councillor John Perry

Corporate Services Policy Advisory Committee

Mark Green

Adrian Lovegrove

Officers are currently developing SV measures that are suitable for MBC. Updated Sustainability framework to be shared with WLT in February 2024, there has been a short delay due to agenda timetables.

NA

2023

2024

Short delay due to agenda timetables

Action 9.4 Establish criteria for investment in climate change and biodiversity and invest to save schemes (e.g. 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.

Councillor David Burton

And

Councillor John Perry

Corporate Services Policy Advisory Committee

James Wilderspin

Officers have developed a business case for solar investment, and to maximise solar PV on MBC owned assets to take advantage of immediate opportunity.

Officers are also supporting heat network policy development and feasibility in Maidstone.

NA

Due to start in late 2024

2025

Not due yet

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.

Councillor John Perry

Corporate Services Policy Advisory Committee

Dan Hutchins

Adrian Lovegrove

James Wilderspin

Please see Action 9.3 update.

Officers will also investigate how to calculate scope 3 emissions with suppliers and contracts in 2024.

Carbon footprint dashboard

Due to start in late 2024          

2025

On track