Year one 2020 to 2021
The Climate Change Strategy sets out the aspiration for Tonbridge and Malling to be carbon neutral by 2030. The action plan targets will help to support this ambition and will be set and published on an annual basis.
Policy and Engagement
Recognise climate change as a corporate commitment for the Council
Ensure climate change is recognised as a priority within the Corporate Strategy 2020 – 2023.
Adopt revised strategy in 2020
Ensure climate change issues and biodiversity goals are considered in decision making, by including climate change impacts within all reports to Council Members.
Ongoing
Work with partners to address climate change issues, lower carbon and adapt to the effects of climate change
Sign up to and adopt the principles of the Kent Environment Strategy, Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy and the Climate Change Adaptation and Implementation Plan. Ensure representation and input into key partnership working groups in Kent.
Ongoing
Evidence, prioritise and agree measures to be taken to lower carbon emissions at the Council
Appoint consultants to scope out existing carbon footprint and prioritise programme of activity to reduce carbon emissions from TMBC estate and operations. Approve future targets.
September 2020
Sustainable Development
Through the grant of planning permission, the Council will seek to deliver sustainable development outcomes in line with the adopted development plan and future amendments to this.
Ongoing
Transport
Work with partners to support the delivery of active and sustainable transport infrastructure improvements and initiatives
Through the grant of planning permission, seek to prioritise active and sustainable travel outcomes within all new developments, and where appropriate to secure s106 contributions towards off-site improvements.
Ongoing
Working in partnership with KCC through the West Kent Infrastructure and Transport Sub Group as well as through the Council’s Joint Transportation Board, to secure funding for and promote the implementation of active and sustainable transport infrastructure improvements.
Ongoing
Using Department for Transport’s Emergency Active Travel Fund, work with KCC to introduce a town-wide 20mph zone in Tonbridge.
March 2021
Review and implement the TMBC corporate staff travel plan
Strengthen the corporate staff travel plan, including cycle to work scheme and other sustainable travel initiatives.
March 2021
Host an active travel road show(s) in the borough, to be delivered by Active Mob (KCC funded), and to encourage business engagement.
March 2021
Bring forward a proposal to work in partnership with KCC and other stakeholders on the preparation of a draft walking and cycling strategy for the borough, to replace the outgoing strategy.
March 2021
Improve the environmental standards of licensed taxis operating in the borough
Undertake consultation with taxi stake holders regarding a phased vehicle replacement schedule, to meet higher Euro emission standards, working towards vehicles becoming Zero emission capable (ZEC) or Ultra Low Emission (ULEV) over the next 10 years.
March 2021
ULEV
Provide electric charging points across the borough
Research cost and practicalities of introducing electric vehicle charging points at Council owned public car parks and the Council Offices. Publish findings.
March 2021
Working in partnership with Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust, research cost and practicalities of introducing electric vehicle charging points at Leisure sites. Publish findings.
March 2021
Undertake a vehicle replacement schedule (transitioning to ULEV) for all parking vehicles, in line with capital renewals programme and expected lifespan.
Ongoing
Air Quality
Review Air Quality and put measures in place to reduce emissions
In partnership with KCC, prepare and launch a public awareness and travel choices campaign.
March 2021
Consider installation of green walls/increased vegetation. Publish findings.
March 2021
In partnership with KCC and linking to the “Smart Cities” agenda, improve public transport information availability by developing App based systems to deliver high quality accessible information.
March 2021
Develop a borough wide Anti Idling Campaign, to eliminate emissions from idling engines.
March 2021
Habitats and Biodiversity
Strengthen local protection and enhance protection of species, habitats and ecosystems
Working with relevant partners, produce, adopt and publish a Tree Charter for the Borough.
March 2021
Create a larger wildflower meadow at Leybourne Lakes Country Park.
2020
Install a new sewage disposal plant at Haysden Country Park to reduce amount and frequency of waste being taken offsite.
2020
Housing and Energy Conservation
Support our residents by signposting to information on energy efficiency measures and funding schemes so they can make informed decisions. In addition we will seek to assist 10 eligible low income vulnerable to cold households to access affordable warmth in the home through the Council’s housing assistance, where other forms of funding are not available or top up funding may be required.
March 2021
The council purchased four houses in March 2020 and intends to convert them to provide 12 individual units. A feasibility assessment for energy efficiency measures will be included in the project, to explore options such as low carbon heating systems, PV panels and other renewable measures.
March 2021
Proactively target 75 private rented properties to undertake HHSRS assessment to identify significant hazards including excess cold. As part of this work we will offer energy efficiency advice to landlords and identify properties with a Category 1 Excess Cold hazard present and where necessary the appropriate enforcement action will be taken or the landlord may be eligible for housing assistance to improve the energy efficiency and help reduce carbon emissions.
March 2021
Assist with removing barriers for private sector households by working with Kent County Council to target promotion of ‘Solar Together’ a collective solar group purchasing scheme with the aim of achieving 60–80 accepted Solar Together recommendations by the end of the year. The Council will monitor the response to determine future promotion of this initiative.
March 2021
Look at the feasibility of setting a minimum energy efficiency standard EPC rating as a licence condition for mandatory licensable Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and include in the Council adopted guidance on minimum amenity standards for all HMOs, where an Energy Performance Certificate is required.
March 2021
Waste Minimisation and Recycling
Encourage more people to reduce their waste and make it easier for residents to recycle
Increase our recycling rate from 43% to 50%.
March 2021
Develop a robust communication plan in partnership with KRP and TMBC media team to further improve resident communications in relation to waste minimisation and recycling.
March 2021
Community and Business Engagement
Raise awareness of climate change, providing regular updates and information
Create and maintain a designated climate change web page on the TMBC website.
Ongoing
Support local businesses and encourage sustainable growth in the economy
Promote and increase uptake of the Council grant scheme to improve local centres and parades. Publicise grants via business newsletters, social media and promotion to ensure that grants (of up to £3,500) are used to deliver energy efficiency measures.
March 2021
Promote and increase uptake of the LOCASE grant scheme to tackle and adapt to climate change. Publicise grants via business newsletters, social media and promotion.
Ongoing, until end of 2020
Promote climate change messaging to local businesses using social media and by publishing a monthly business bulletin to support the climate change agenda.
Ongoing
Review Economic Regeneration Strategy to include measures that encourage sustainable economic development and green growth.
March 2021
Working with the Media and Communications Team, develop a communications strategy to raise awareness of domestic housing energy efficiency and renewable energy schemes available.
March 2021
Encourage schools, businesses and churches to appoint Environmental Champions, to increase the visibility of the environmental agenda and share ideas and progress against climate change.
March 2021
TMBC Estate
Reduce the environmental impact of the Council’s activities, increasing the sustainability of all our operations
Change energy supplier to ensure that energy provided to the Council is supplied by renewable sources.
September 2020
Evaluate the viability of installing renewable energy systems at Larkfield Leisure Centre, publish findings.
March 2021
Research cost and practicalities of replacing Council owned pay and display machines to be solar powered. Publish findings.
March 2021
Progress the digitisation of services and reduce the amount of paper both internally and being sent out to clients
Amend Council Procurement Policy to include a requirement that any equipment replacements are more energy efficient with higher environmental standards.
March 2021
Undertake an assessment of business mileage for all staff and develop a policy to support tele-conferencing and skype meetings to reduce business travel.
March 2021
Amend the Homeworking Policy to encourage greater take up of homeworking/flexible working where possible, to reduce home to work travel.
March 2021
Introduce ‘Always on VPN’ remote working solution to enable staff to work more flexibly.
March 2021
Introduction of mobile working to improve efficiency and reduce repeat visits along with printing and mailing paper works to clients (Public Health, Housing, Electoral services).
March 2021
Consolidation of devices and swapping desktop machines to more energy efficient laptops.
March 2021
Migration of our Disaster Recovery services to a cloud based platform.
March 2021
Introduction of online and automated solutions for internal administrative workflows to further eliminate paper based forms.
March 2021
Introduction of online services and e-Billing (Revenues and Benefits).
March 2021
Back scanning of existing paper records and digitisation of future documents (Public Health, Environmental protection, Exchequer, Payroll, Planning).
March 2021
Introduction of a unified “My Account” customer portal enabled via a new CMS and CRM systems including a new functionality and feature-rich Website.
March 2021