Consultations

Climate Emergency Action Plan Consultation

From: 31/05/2021 To: 30/07/2021.

The Council has adopted the Climate Emergency Action Plan and agreed that it should form part of the Council's Corporate Plan 2022-31.

As part of our consultation we held a successful online workshop attended by climate focus groups, student representation and eco-groups from across the Harborough district. We have also received more than 130 responses to the online survey.

Thank you for your support. Please follow #ClimateActionHarborough on social media channels for updates and related news.

Summary of consultation and next steps

What we asked people to consult with us about The Council declared a Climate Emergency in June 2019 and we committed to producing an action plan. We consulted our communities on whether our plan was addressing the right actions to address the Climate Emergency.

When / how we asked people to be involved We asked people to respond to us via an online survey, which was available on our website, but we also accepted emailed responses from groups. We promoted the consultation in our newsletters, online, on social media and via libraries and community networks, including contacting all secondary schools.

What we learned from the responses We learnt that people agreed with our commitments, but called on us to be bold in our actions to address climate change, including through partnerships and community empowerment

What the next steps are / resulting actions are for HDC and timings for these Council received the post consultation Action Plan at their meeting in December 2021 and decided to adopt it. The Plan now forms part of the Corporate Plan and will be regularly monitored by Cabinet. A report on progress will be published in early autumn 2022.
 

The Council commits to demonstrate political and corporate leadership to act on climate change.

The Council is in an excellent place to provide leadership in responding to the climate emergency and work with partners to promote positive change.

What we have done so far:

  • Promoted action on Climate Change through Climate Local from 2013/14, including annual reports on action
  • Public Electric Vehicle charging has been delivered in Market Harborough, Lutterworth, Broughton Astley and Kibworth
  • Promoted and supported the Plastic Free pledge with local community groups

What we hope to do:

  • Seek funding for further electric vehicle charging infrastructure
  • Include training in climate emergency for all staff and members
  • Work with Parishes and communities to promote lower carbon choices

 

The Council commits to managing its own assets and services, with the aim of reducing carbon emission to net zero by 2030, as far as practical.

The Council has made good progress in reducing it’s own emissions, but there is always more to do and it will be difficult for the council to move away from using gas fuel.

What we have done so far:

  • Harborough District Council has reduced their own emissions by over 40% since 2008.
  • Carbon emissions from Leisure and Waste services have reduced by over 400 tonnes
  • New buildings such as the Harborough Grow-on Centre (HGC) have been delivered to BREEAM excellent standard
  • Moved to a renewable electricity supplier

What we hope to do:

  • Review procurement procedures to ensure low carbon is included in relevant decisions
  • Ensure any new council building projects are low carbon and delivered to high environmental standards
  • New projects will include whole life costings for consideration

 

The Council commits to working with residents and communities to support their actions in reducing emissions and help them increase their resilience to the impacts of climate change. 

The Council is well placed to work with residents and the work on energy efficiency has shown a real reduction in fuel poverty across the district from 11.5% in 2011 to 6.9% in 2017.

What we have done so far:

  • Promoted the availability of ECO-grants to improve domestic energy efficiency with over 500 homes receiving help in 2018/19
  • Promoted a regular Switch and Save, community auction project, to help residents reduce costs of electricity and gas and move to a renewable, sustainable household energy provider.
  • Worked with Partners in Public Health to ensure vulnerable residents can access help with fuel bills and energy advice
  • Continue to run an efficient waste management service across the district with domestic recycling rates at 45.7%
  • Supported and promoted the Plastic Reduction Pledge initiated by residents

What we hope to do:

  • Promote local a sustainable food through the Sustainable Food Cities initiative.
  • Promote sustainable transport choices, including walking and cycling
  • Continue to promote improved energy efficiency and renewable energy to residents
  • Promote reduction in plastic waste and increase in recycling figures

 

The Council commits to working with businesses to support their actions in reducing emissions and help them increase their resilience to the impacts of climate change. 

The Council realises that it has a unique relationship with many local businesses and it can help to signpost businesses to best practice.

What we have done so far:

  • The council provides a business waste and recycling service to 814 businesses across Harborough district.
  • Supported a local food offer through partnership with local companies, especially through Taste Harborough and Harborough Market
  • Harborough Market continues to promote low waste and reduced plastic waste.

What we hope to do:

  • Promote local food businesses and sources further, linking to tourism
  • Promote low carbon buildings providing local office space and business support, via the Harborough Grow-on Centre (HGC) and the Harborough Innovation Centre (HIC).
  • Work with businesses to ensure that climate change is part of their continuity planning models.

 

The Council commits to ensuring that new development is designed to mitigate emissions and be resilient to the impact of climate change. 

The Council have recognised the issue of Climate Change in the New Local Plan 2011 to 2031 and will promote lower carbon emissions in new development through promoting best practice. The Local Plan also identifies that mitigations will be needed as we feel the impact of climate change.

What we have done so far:

  • The new Local Plan includes policies on reducing emissions and climate resilience
  • Neighbourhood Plans encouraged to include climate change factors and response.
  • Worked with developers to promote ecological standards and best practice

What we hope to do:

  • Influence Strategic growth plan to be ambitious on reducing carbon
  • Develop robust guidance for developers and houseowners in the form of Supplementary Guidance (SPG) to provide clear direction on planning and development issues.
  • Work with partners to mitigate effect of climate change on flood-risk.
  • Review of the Local Plan to be advised by further evidence of climate change impacts and opportunities to reduce emissions

 

The Council commits to working in partnership to promote resilient natural systems that will help to reduce the impacts of climate change. 

We realise we are not able to avoid all the changes that Climate Change will cause. It is important to ensure that natural systems can be used to increase the resilience to flooding and that biodiversity is promoted. Tree planting and sensitive land-use will also help to offset climate emissions.

What we have done so far:

  • Worked in partnership with Catchment Partnerships in conjunction with the Environment Agency to promote natural flood management
  • Using Section 106 funds (a developer’s financial contribution to projects related to a new development which invests in improvements to the local area) to promote greater planting of woodlands and biodiverse spaces
  • Worked on Council owned land to promote increased tree planting and cultivation of wildflower meadows
  • Worked in partnership to promote better river water quality and protection of wildlife, through Welland River restoration

What we hope to do:

  • Promote tree planting through partnership working and engagement with landowners
  • Identify critical spaces for biodiversity improvements
  • Develop guidance for developers
  • Promote Natural Flood Management projects in catchment areas
  • Promote best practice in Sustainable Drainage Design