Year four 2023 to 2024
Policy and Engagement
Recognise climate change as a corporate commitment for the Council
Review Council's procurement strategy and develop guidance and/or tools to embed climate and environment within contracted works.
Executive Services — Mar-24
Develop climate change training induction module and a course that can lead to Carbon Literacy accreditation for Members and TMBC staff. Deliver training to key staff by Jan 2024, offering the courses on an ongoing basis.
Executive Services — Ongoing
Develop options for reducing car travel and emissions from TMBC own fleet, staff commuting and business travel.
Executive Services — Feb-24
Work with partners to address climate change issues, lower carbon and adapt to the effects of climate
Engage with KCC and other councils through Climate Change Network (CCN) meetings, sharing case studies, best practice, and seeking areas of support and collaboration.
Executive Services — Ongoing
Continue to engage with the delivery of the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy through TMBC's actions and partnership working.
Executive Services — Ongoing
Monitor and report Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council's carbon emissions
Ensure all Climate Change Action Plans, Progress Reports and Carbon Audits are easily accessible and published on the climate change webpage.
Executive Services — Sep-23
Produce a TMBC carbon emissions pathway report to inform policy planning for carbon neutral by 2030.
Executive Services — Jan-24
Sustainable Development
Continue to pursue planning policies in the Council’s emerging Local Plan that will facilitate the delivery of climate change adaptation and mitigation, design measures and sustainable development patterns, progressing to the Regulation 18b Plan and public consultation, drawing on updated evidence, including on green infrastructure and climate change.
Planning — Jul-25
Through the grant of planning permission, the Council will seek to deliver sustainable development outcomes in line with the adopted development plan, national policy and material planning considerations.
Planning — Ongoing
Adopt a Development Management Protocol for Biodiversity Net Gain ahead of the introduction of new requirements for developments and in line with Government guidance.
Planning — Nov-23
Transport
Support the improvement of walking and cycling infrastructure in the borough
Complete preparation of the new active travel strategy which will include cycling and walking infrastructure recommendations.
Planning — Spring 2024
ULEV
Provide electric charging points across the borough
Deliver Phase 2 provision of an additional 60 chargers in the Councils car parks over 2 year contract.
Technical Services — May-25
Decarbonise TMBC vehicle fleet
Undertake a vehicle replacement schedule (transitioning to ULEV) for all parking vehicles, in line where possible with the capital renewals programme and expected lifespan.
Technical Services — Ongoing
Improve the environmental standards of licensed taxis operating in the borough
Progress with taxi licencing policy renewal process through Licensing and Appeals committee followed by a minimum 6 weeks consultation with the trade and interested parties in Autumn 2023.
Licensing — Mar-24
Provide wider information regarding taxi EV charging provision as those installations progress.
Licensing — Ongoing
Continue engagement with KCC through the CCN regarding future taxi licencing. Share with trade and participate in schemes as appropriate, for example 'try before you buy'.
Licensing — Ongoing
Progress strategy for future of licenced taxi fleet through Licensing and Appeals committee report on air quality, changes in the licenced taxi vehicle fleet, and proposals for vehicle requirements to 2030. Develop a consultation to inform strategy through Autumn/ Winter 2023.
Licensing — Ongoing
Air Quality
Anti-idling Campaign to reduce emissions from idling engines
Continue the anti-idling project by expanding to other schools, and areas where idling is an issue, including bus stops and taxi ranks, working to raise awareness of idling and air quality impacts. Assess air quality monitoring data and any observed behaviour changes.
Environmental Protection — Mar-24
Habitats and Biodiversity
Strengthen local protection and enhance protection of species, habitats and ecosystems
Proceed with Reed Bed creation at Haysden Country Park.
Leisure Services — Mar-24
Proceed with Holly Hill hedgerow creation.
Leisure Services — Mar-24
Coppicing at Taddington Valley Woodland.
Leisure Services — Mar-24
Continue with the lakeside revetment works in liaison with volunteers.
Leisure Services — Jun-23
Monitor trees planted to ensure establishment, and arrange necessary replacement planting where possible.
Leisure Services — Ongoing
Housing and Energy Conservation
Reduce the carbon emissions of residential homes
Assist with removing barriers for private sector households by working with Kent County Council to target promotion of the third round of ‘Solar Together’, a collective solar group purchasing scheme.
Housing — Mar-24
Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 1.2
Work with Clarion Housing Group and Golding Homes to deliver retrofit energy efficiency measures using allocated funding from Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Demonstrator Wave 1.2 for c 450 Clarion Housing properties across TMBC area and circa 60 Golding Homes properties in the Aylesford area.
Housing — Mar-26
Home Upgrade Grant
Deliver retrofit energy efficiency measures through Home Upgrade Grant 2 targeting funding to c 60 low-income households living in low efficient ‘off gas' homes (i.e., not using gas as main heating).
Housing — Mar-25
Signposting
TMBC will continue to signpost households for advice on how to reduce energy usage in the home for example GOV.UK and Help for Households website.
Housing — Ongoing
TMBC-owned Temporary Accommodation
Support any new provision of council owned temporary accommodation within the borough with feasibility studies to advise on potential for improved energy efficiency and any renewable potential.
Housing — Ongoing
Waste Minimisation and Recycling
Encourage more people to reduce their waste and make it easier for residents to recycle
Continue with Kent Resource Partnership (KRP) re-use campaigns, including promotion of food waste and garden waste collections; and ongoing promotions aimed at reducing contamination and increasing recycling performance.
Leisure Services and Street Scene — Mar-24
Progression of waste and recycling contract, including rolling out to flats and trial of food waste collections in a number of communal bin stores.
Leisure Services and Street Scene — Mar-24
Launch KRP website and working with national partners such as WRAP and Recoup (plastic specific). Continue development of KRP website.
Leisure Services and Street Scene — Ongoing
Community and Business Engagement
Support local businesses and encourage sustainable growth in the economy
Two further rounds of the Green Business Grant Scheme will make available a total of £95,000 in funding over the next two years. The current round (Round 3) launched April 2023. A further round will open in early 2024.
Executive Services — Mar-25
Allocation of funding and ensure project delivery for current round (Round 3) of the Shopfront and Vacant Unit Improvement Grant Scheme. Launch of further round in early 2024.
Executive Services — Mar-25
Promote the climate change strategy and its objectives via the council’s e-bulletin, with at least 2 articles per annum.
Executive Services — Ongoing
Work closely with KCC and local business to share and signpost information, support and grants for business carbon reduction.
Executive Services — Ongoing
Work with partners in the community to engage the public
Build collaborative working and public engagement with the Climate Change Forum, identifying areas for joint Council and community climate and environment action.
Executive Services — Ongoing
Raise awareness of climate change, providing regular updates and information
To continue to provide local borough information to residents, identifying likely topics of interest.
Comms — Ongoing
TMBC Estate
Reduce the environmental impact of the council’s activities, increasing the sustainability of all our operations
Complete installation of LED lighting throughout Larkfield Leisure Centre and Tonbridge Swimming Pool.
Property Services — Dec-23
Complete installation of rooftop solar panels at Tonbridge Swimming Pool.
Property Services — Dec-23
Complete assessment and design of heat pump potential at Larkfield Leisure Centre and Tonbridge Swimming Pool to implementation-ready stage.
Property Services — Oct-23
Assess potential for further on-site solar generation on other flat roofs at Larkfield Leisure Centre.
Property Services — Jun-24
Progress the digitisation of services and reduce the amount of paper both internally and being sent out to clients
New Digital Strategy 2023 - 2027 continues to contribute towards improving service efficiency, with emphasis on cognitive processes and automation.
IT — Apr-24
Complete development TMBC device policy to increase efficiency of devices used.
IT — Jun-24
Business process re-engineering, mobile solutions and digitisation to improve efficiency and reduce carbon footprint continues across services.
IT — Ongoing