Our Climate Change Plan
Last updated 26 May 2022
Our Climate Change Plan
Wyre Forest District Council’s ‘A Climate for Change’ plan cuts across all council services and is led by our Head of Strategic Growth, who is an officer on our Corporate Leadership Team. Sustainability, including climate change - falls within the deputy leader’s portfolio of responsibilities.
A Green Advisory Panel, made up of councillors from across the political spectrum, meets monthly to progress development and delivery and an update is reported annually to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The importance of climate change is reflected in the priorities and strategic actions in our Corporate Plan 2021 to 2023.
Our Climate Change Plan focusses on the areas we are able to control or influence as a district council within a two tier system. We also work in partnership with other organisations with responsibilities outside of our own remit to help deliver the Worcestershire Energy and Climate Change Strategies.
The Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and aims to achieve Net Zero by 2050. Information about Wyre Forest’s carbon emissions can be found on our Climate Change page.
Warmer, healthier homes
| Description | Who | Expected outcomes/timescale | Resources | Notes and more information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing promotion and delivery of schemes to install domestic energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. |
Health and Sustainability Private Sector Housing Act on Energy |
Ongoing promotion and delivery throughout the year. 150 measures to be installed through the various schemes. |
Act on Energy Service Level Agreement in place. Internal funding used for fuel poverty assistance where external funding not available. |
For more information visit our energy efficiency page. |
| Develop and co-ordinate energy efficiency schemes, utilising external funding e.g. Energy Company Obligation (ECO), Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme, Sustainable Warmth. |
Health and Sustainability Private Sector Housing team |
Ongoing throughout the year |
County wide activity through the Warmer Worcestershire Network to bid for external funding and channel in ECO funding. LADS 1a and 2/ Sustainable Warmth funding streams |
To read the Statement of Intent visit Worcestershire County Council's website |
| Run the Wyre Forest Big Energy Switch collective switching scheme. |
Health and Sustainability iChooser |
100 + residents to switch through the February 2022 Auction (promotion begins December 2021) | Promoted using existing resources. | Since the scheme began, 369 Wyre Forest households have switched, saving £90,000 cumulatively. Energy efficiency is promoted alongside switching tariffs. Electricity tariffs offered now have to be 100% renewable. |
| Participate in collective scheme for domestic solar panel installation |
Health and Sustainability Warmer Worcestershire Network |
Spring 2022 | Existing resource in place through Warmer Worcestershire Network | N/A |
| Deliver a Winter Warmth awareness campaign in Wyre Forest | Health and Sustainability | Autumn / winter 2021 | Promoted using existing resources. | Promotion of the various energy schemes through newsletters, social media, partnership work. |
| Energy advice/information/training sessions- online or face-to-face. |
Act on Energy Health and Sustainability |
12 sessions to be held throughout autumn and winter 2021 | Act on Energy Service Level Agreement in place | To be promoted once details confirmed. |
Building a low carbon economy
| Description | Who | Timescale | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Publicise available resource efficiency / low carbon support to local businesses and encourage uptake. | Health and Sustainability | Ongoing | Existing resources |
| Participate in county wide work on the low carbon economy sector |
Health and Sustainability Wyre Forest Green Alliance (WFGA) |
Ongoing | Staff time |
| Investigate opportunities for renewable energy generation/ storage on council owned land. | Ongoing | Staff time |
Transport and infrastructure
| Description | Who | Timescale | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing support to the Wyre Forest Cycle Forum to strive for cycling infrastructure improvements and promote cycling opportunities. |
Health and Sustainability Wyre Forest Cycle Forum |
Ongoing throughout the year | Staff time |
| Support and work with Cycle Forum to develop local, easy family friendly cycle routes with the Wyre Forest Green Alliance, including identification of new/ shared projects on climate change. |
Health and Sustainability Wyre Forest Cycle Forum |
Routes to be in place by summer 2021 | Funding already in place |
| Develop and implement planning policy as part of the Local Plan work- low carbon and renewable energy; sustainable transport, electric vehicle infrastructure. |
Health and Sustainability Planning Policy |
As per local plan review and implementation timetable | Staff time |
| Increase provision of electric vehicle charge- points in WFDC car parks and encourage the owners of privately owned car parks to do likewise. |
Health and Sustainability Planning |
TBC | TBC |
| Investigate opportunities for EV Taxi charging |
Health and Sustainability Worcestershire Regulatory Services Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership |
Autumn 2021 | External funding would be sought. |
| Fleet review to look at carbon and fuel savings and opportunities for Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles. |
Health and Sustainability Fleet Management Energy Savings Trust |
Fleet Review to be carried out in 2021 | Review can be carried out for free by the Energy Savings Trust. |
For more information on cycle routes within Wyre Forest please visit our cycling information page.
Healthy and resilient communities
| Description | Who | Timescale | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assist voluntary groups in promoting environmental initiatives e.g. Wyre Forest Repair Café, Art 4 Planet Earth exhibition. | Health and Sustainability | Ongoing | Existing resources |
| Support and work with the Wyre Forest Green Alliance, including identification of new/ shared projects on climate change. |
Health and Sustainability Wyre Forest Green Alliance (WFGA) |
Ongoing | Staff time |
| Develop activity on/ links between work on climate change and biodiversity/ tree planting. |
Health and Sustainability Community and Enviroment |
Ongoing | Staff time |
Cross-cutting actions
| Description | Who | Timescale | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deliver carbon literacy training (in house) | Health and Sustainability | Summer 2021 | Existing resources/staff time |
| Ongoing communications/ awareness on energy/ fuel efficiency etc (websites, newsletters, events, press releases, social media etc). | Health and Sustainability | Ongoing | Staff time |