Council Climate Action Scorecard 2025 Responses
In response to the Council Climate Action Scorecard Methodology 2025 recently published by Climate Emergency UK, Telford and Wrekin Council have prepared responses to all relevant questions below (excluding those to be asked via FOI requests).
This is to aid Climate Emergency UK’s volunteer markers by gathering all the information they need into one easily accessible place to increase the accuracy of marking.
If further information / clarification is needed, then please contact the Climate Change & Sustainability Team at Sustainability2@telford.gov.uk.
Transport
|
Question |
Response |
| 1.
Is the council transitioning their vehicle fleet to electric? |
Yes, the fleet for the Neighbourhood enforcement team has been transitioned to a fully electric fleet of EV vehicles (11 EV vans). |
| 2.
Has the council set up or supported a shared transport scheme that can be used across their whole area? |
The authority is currently trialling a car club scheme. |
| 3.
Does the council have enforced school streets across its area? |
The Councils Neighbourhood enforcement team carry out over 800 safer outside school patrols per year. Providing advice, guidance to promote safe and positive parking. Parking tickets are issued where applicable. |
| 4.
Is the council committed to making 20mph the standard speed limit for most restricted roads? |
In 2022 alone, the council scheduled 60 roads to introduce a speed limit of 20mph.
The council continues to review areas that are suitable for 20mph speed limit which is supported by data and where the community request such intervention. |
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5a. Has the council introduced a Clean Air Zone or Low-Emission Zone? |
Not applicable as the borough does not exceed National Air Quality Objectives for NO2 that require a Clean Air Zone. https://www.telford.gov.uk/downloads/file/26816/annual_status_report_2023 |
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5b. Does the council's Clean Air Zone or Low Emission Zone require charges for private vehicles? |
Not applicable as the borough does not exceed National Air Quality Objectives for NO2 that require a Clean Air Zone. https://www.telford.gov.uk/downloads/file/26816/annual_status_report_2023 Air Quality Strategy - Telford & Wrekin Council |
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6. Has the council taken clear steps to support active travel? |
Yes. In May 2023, the Council was awarded £1,895,772 by Active Travel England (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-active-travel-fund-local-transport-authority-allocations/emergency-active-travel-fund-total-indicative-allocations) to improve dedicated routes between Telford town centre and Oakengates. The government funded improvement scheme will see the creation of:
In addition to this funding, a further £800,000 has been invested into the Silkin Way to continue to encourage more people to walk and cycle. The Council’s Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) is in place. The Council’s Active Travel Scheme & highway improvements 2024. Active travel Scheme and highway improvements 2024 - Telford & Wrekin Council Telford and Wrekin Council has an ATE capability rating of 2 (Local authority active travel capability ratings (accessible version) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)). |
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7. Does the council have controlled parking zones across all the residential areas of the local authority? |
No, but the Council does have Restricted Parking Zones in some urban areas including Lawley and Wellington (see link below). Search results - Telford & Wrekin Council Please also see the Council’s Parking Enforcement Operational Guidance (linked below). |
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8a. Are there any low emission buses used within the council's area? |
In relation to school buses the Majority of vehicles are 3 years old or less, so emissions are low. With regard to public bus there is a requirement for all buses on tendered services to be Euro 6. |
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8b. Is bus ridership within the council's area high? |
In 2023, Telford and Wrekin had 17.5 passenger journeys on local bus services per head of population (Bus statistics data tables - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)). |
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9. Does the council have a workplace parking levy? |
No. |
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10. Has the council supported the expansion of a public network of electric vehicle chargers? |
Yes, the Council was awarded £683,370 from On-street Residential Charge Point scheme (ORCS) managed by Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) for the installation of 70 dual fast EV charge points in Council car parks to support residential charge points. The Council has now appointed a EV charge points operator who will deliver the ORCS funded charge points but will also fully fund additional EV charge points in all Council car parks. Potentially a further 41 dual EV charge points could be installed. Overall, this project could see an additional 111 EV charge points (222 sockets) installed over the next 18-24 months. The Council has also been awarded an indicative amount of £1,020,000 from Local EV Infrastructure fund (LEVI). The Council has joined Midlands Connect Consortium with other LA’s to pool grant funding to achieve the highest number of on-street charge points possible. The Council is currently waiting for confirmation of the grant award and the consortium hopes to go to procurement stage this autumn followed by the appointment of an EV charge point operator in the new year subject to approvals. It is anticipated the first on-street EV charge points would be installed from 2025 over a four-year period to 2029. |
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11. Has the council approved, expanded or built a high carbon transport project since 2020? |
No. |
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12a. Do the NO2 levels in a significant proportion of neighbourhoods within the council’s area exceed the safe World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution guidelines? |
Whilst NO2 concentrations in the borough are within national objectives, they do exceed the WHO 2021 Guideline Level for NO2 (10 µg/m3 as an annual mean). On page 24 of the Council’s Air Quality Strategy, object 1.1 is to reduce annual average NO2 concentrations across the borough, stating “The WHO Guideline for NO2 is 10 µg/m3 as an annual average. In moving towards this target, the Air Quality Strategy will aim to ensure that by 2030, all monitored concentrations within the borough are less than 30 µg/m3 as an annual mean (equivalent to the WHO’s second interim target, and as a step towards achieving the third interim target of 20 µg/m3 and eventually the Guideline Level of 10 µg/m3 ).” Please see the Council’s Air Quality Strategy and latest Cabinet report for Building Safer, Stronger & Healthier Communities through better Air Quality via the links below: |
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12b. Do the PM 2.5 levels in a significant proportion of neighbourhoods in the council’s area exceed the safe World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution guidelines? |
As stated on page 19 of the Council’s Air Quality Strategy, “Telford & Wrekin Council, common with other Local Authorities does not currently undertake any PM10 monitoring. Defra estimates of average background PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in 2018 were 12.5 µg/m3 and 7.4 µg/m3 respectively (Appendix D), within UK national air quality objectives, but exceeding the WHO’s 2021 Air Quality Guideline Level for PM2.5 (5 µg/m3 as an annual mean).” Objective 1.2 on page 24 of the Council’s Air Quality Strategy is to work with regional and national partners to reduce emissions of PM2.5. |
Waste Reduction & Food
|
Question |
Response |
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1b. Has the council encouraged the reduction of single use plastic at external events on council land, property or public spaces such as roads and parks? |
The Council now insists that all vendors review their use of plastic for drinks and catering and provides information about alternative options such as canned water and compostable catering boxes for Council run events. This was reported in last year’s Cabinet report: section 4.46 Becoming Carbon Neutral & Plastic Free Update 2023 The Council also has extensive toolkit for event organisers, including a “Think Green” section, and a section with specific guidance/requirements for hiring Telford Parks and Open Spaces for an event. For more information, please see the link below. Introduction - Organising an event - Telford & Wrekin Council |
| 2.
Has the council taken steps to support a circular economy locally? |
Telford and Wrekin Council is one of the 10 supporters/sponsors of the Telford and Wrekin Repair Cafés. The Council also works with the Telford Sustainability & Energy Cluster (TSEC) group made up of some of the boroughs largest businesses. The circular economy is a main theme for this group. https://telfordrepaircafe.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR3LFMCCGt1-GEL_d1UQM6mQvyFxpX9KAq4QHXaWG3-4VB0EQ5ZkTJKCUIg |
| 3.
Does the council support initiatives to redistribute surplus food? |
LCT Community Food Hub is promoted by Telford and Wrekin Council on the Council’s 'Live Well Telford' website. The Council is also a member of the Shropshire Good Food Partnership. |
| 4a.
Does the council have a sustainable food strategy? |
No but the council is a member of the SGFP (see above). https://www.shropshiregoodfood.org/copy-of-charter-members |
| 4b.
Is the council part of a sustainable food partnership? |
Yes, Telford and Wrekin Council works with Shropshire Good Food Partnership (SGFP). SGFP is an organisation (and member of Sustainable Food Places - Members | Sustainable Food Places) that has been established to create a local food system which is good for people, place and planet. Specifically, Telford and Wrekin Council sits on the SGFP Advisory Group. https://www.shropshiregoodfood.org/copy-of-charter-members |
| 5.
Has the council taken steps to support local food growing? |
The draft local plan supports local food growing with draft policy CL1 which encourages allotments. Telford and Wrekin Council support Shropshire Good Food Partnership (SGFP). This organisation supports local food growing. https://www.shropshiregoodfood.org/grow-local https://www.shropshiregoodfood.org/copy-of-charter-members The Climate Change Fund Round 2 also awarded a £10,000 grant to SGFP to establish a role in Telford & Wrekin and work with local groups and businesses on ways food can be part of the shift to net zero carbon. Copy of Right to Grow mvmt update (shropshiregoodfood.org) |
| 6.
Do schools in the council area serve less meat in school meals? |
The Councils catering service supply both meat and meat-free school dinner options each day. We have looked at our recipes and we have reduced meat content where able and added different protein to make up the quantity required in line with the school food standards. |
| 7.
Does the council provide weekly kerbside food waste recycling? |
Since 2019, Telford and Wrekin have rolled out free weekly kerbside food waste recycling with their waste contractor Veolia to all households in the borough. Telford and Wrekin to roll out food waste collections - letsrecycle.com |
| 8.
How high is the councils' area wide annual recycling rate? |
The recycling rate for T&W in 22/23 is 48.2%. DEFRA aim to publicise 23/24 verified recycling rates in December 2024 Telford is performing above the mean for all English unitary authorities (40.88%). LG inform – Percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling and composting (annual) |
| 9.
How low is the councils' area wide level of household waste produced? |
Residual household waste per household: 22/23 is 529.5kg/hh – a reduction of 37.1kg from 21/22. 23/24 data should be available in December 2024. LG Inform – Residual household waste per household for Telford and Wrekin |
Governance & Finance
|
Question |
Response |
| 1a.
Does the council's corporate plan include a net zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities? |
Yes - Climate Change is one of the Council's top five priorities. https://www.telford.gov.uk/info/20268/co-operative_council/430/council_plan_and_priorities |
| 1b.
Does the council's medium term financial plan include the council's net zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities? |
Yes – see section 18.9.4 in the Medium Term Financial Strategy. |
| 2.
Does the council's Corporate Risk Register accurately identify the risks of climate change to the local area? |
Yes, as part of the Council's Climate Adaptation Plan, a Corporate Climate Change Risk Register has been created that identifies the risks that climate change poses to Council services and residents. |
| 3a.
Is the council reporting on its own greenhouse gas emissions? |
Yes The Council reports its emissions annually in line with Local Government Association guidelines. We report on all scope 1 & 2 emissions and some scope 3 (we actively look into expanding our scope 3 reporting). Latest Telford & Wrekin Becoming Carbon Neutral and Plastic Free - Update Report - |
| 3b.
According to the council's own reporting, have the council's own greenhouse gas emissions reduced since 2019? |
For 2023/24, the Council's corporate emissions have decreased by 61% compared to the 2018/19 baseline. |
| 4.
Has the council's area wide carbon emissions decreased, according to UK Government data? |
The boroughs overall territorial emissions have decreased by 16.5% between 2018 and 2021. In 2018, total emissions were recorded as 1183 kt CO2e and in 2021, total emissions were recorded as 1002.9 ktCO2e. This data was taken directly from GOV UK (UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions national statistics, 2005 to 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)). |
| 5.
Has the council adopted a new governance or decision-making process to put tackling the climate emergency at the heart of every council decision made? |
Yes – all council decisions e.g. Cabinet and Scrutiny Committees are based on reports which includes a section detailing climate change impacts. |
| 6a.
Does the council have a sustainable procurement policy that includes an area wide net zero target and makes tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities? |
In 2010, the Council developed a Sustainable Procurement Policy (Environmental and Sustainable Procurement Policies - Telford & Wrekin Council) which sets out the Council’s environmental vision, values and objectives. |
| 6b.
Does the councils' procurement policy require tenders to take action to reduce waste, carbon emissions or other environmental actions? |
See above. Environmental and Sustainable Procurement Policies - Telford & Wrekin Council. |
| 7.
Does the council have a Cabinet member or Portfolio Holder that has climate change explicitly in their remit? |
Yes Telford and Wrekin Council has a Cabinet member whose portfolio covers Neighbourhoods, Planning & Sustainability. https://democracy.telford.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=317 |
| 10a.
Has the council raised ring-fenced income for climate action from property development? |
No, but the property investments made through the Council’s Growth Fund have supported the occupational tenants with reduced utility bills. |
| 10b.
Has the council launched a Climate Bond, Community Municipal Investment or equivalent? |
In 2022, the Council launched a municipal investment fund for green initiatives. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-61510936 |
| 10c.
Has the council raised income for climate action from any other sources? |
Yes. The Council regularly bids for external funding for decarbonisation projects. Most recently £1.083 million was awarded by Salix from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) phase 3C to carry out works at Wellington Leisure Centre to upgrade thermal fabric and install air source heat pumps (ASHP). £42,000 was also awarded to Newport Swimming Pool from the Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF) to install a pool cover and replace lighting with LEDs. https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/shrewsbury/2024/03/24/swimming-pools-in-shropshire-to-get-nearly-390000-to-help-cut-running-costs/ |
| 11a.
Has the council passed a motion in support of divestment from all fossil fuels from the councils' pension funds? |
No. |
| 11b.
Has the council's pensions fund committed to divesting from all fossil fuels? |
No the Shropshire County Pension fund has not committed to divesting but are taking an approach to actively engage with the companies that they invest in to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. |
| 12.
Does the council have direct investments in airports or high carbon intensive energy industries? |
No. |
Collaboration & Engagement
|
Question |
Response |
| 1.
Do the council's climate pages include information about behaviour changes that residents can make, and are they easy to find? |
Telford and Wrekin Council have a separate, stand-alone website dedicated to Climate Change and Sustainability for the borough and its residents: Sustainable Telford and Wrekin. https://www.sustainabletelfordandwrekin.com/ |
| 2a.
Has the council published a Climate Action Plan with SMART targets? |
Yes. https://www.sustainabletelfordandwrekin.com/what-the-council-is-doing/carbon-neutral-action-plan |
| 2b.
Has the council published an up to date and easy-to-read annual report on their Climate Action Plan? |
A report which updates progress of the climate action plan and rolls this forward is taken to Cabinet on an annual basis. Cabinet Report Template - Feb 2013 (telford.gov.uk) |
| 3.
Has the council lobbied the government for climate action? |
Yes, please see link below. |
| 4.
Is the council working with external partners or other councils to seek to influence national governments on climate action, or to learn about and share best practice on council climate action? |
Telford and Wrekin Council is a member of UK100. The Climate Change Team are part of a UK-wide Slack Channel ‘Collective for Climate Action’, a platform where Climate officers working in local government come together to learn and share best practice. |
| 5a.
Does the council have an ongoing way for residents to influence the implementation of the council's Climate Action Plan? |
Yes.
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| 5b.
Does the council's ongoing engagement with residents include those most affected by climate change and climate action policy? |
Yes, through the Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) Introduction - Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) - Telford & Wrekin Council And Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) - Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) - Telford & Wrekin Council |
| 6.
Does the council provide funding for community climate action, for example through an environment fund or climate action fund? |
The Council has administered two rounds of the Climate Change Fund. £200k boost to help community groups beat rising costs in Telford and Wrekin - BBC News |
| 7.
Is the council working in partnership with health services on active travel, home insulation, air pollution, green spaces or other climate action policies? |
Yes, the Council is a member of the Shropshire and Telford Integrated Care System. https://www.sath.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/105.22-ICS-Green-Plan-2022-25.pdf |
| 8.
Is the council working in partnership with cultural institutions and organisations to encourage decarbonisation within culture and arts locally? |
Yes, Telford and Wrekin Interfaith Council is a member of the Climate Change Partnership. Examples of specific support includes Sutton Hill Church, Wellington Methodist Church, and Holy Trinity Church (Coalbrookdale) who were all recipients of the Climate Change Fund – helping them install an array of different energy saving, decarbonising measures. (£200k boost to help community groups beat rising costs in Telford and Wrekin - BBC News). |
| 9.
Is the council working in partnership with schools or other education settings to deliver climate action that young people can engage with? |
The Climate Change Fund round 2 (£200k boost to help community groups beat rising costs in Telford and Wrekin - BBC News) provided grants to several schools to help reduce their carbon footprint and provide students with something engaging. Summary of projects below: -Muxton Primary School received funding to install solar panels. The children in their school will be educated on all aspects of climate change and will see first-hand how it works. -Wrockwardine Wood Junior School received funding to implement a waste reduction programme including installation of recycling bins so that students will learn the importance of recycling from a young age. - Telford Park, Telford Langley, and Telford Priory Secondary Schools all received funding for solar panel installation. The schools are actively promoting energy efficiency behaviours and the importance of renewable energy generation as part of the delivery of their school curriculum, ensuring excellent outcomes for learners especially in the areas of sustainability. It is their hope that these energy saving behaviours will transfer to the home environment and beyond. |
| 10.
Is the council working in partnership with local businesses to encourage decarbonisation? |
Yes, please see below: TSEC- Telford Sustainability and Energy Cluster set up in May 2023 – currently 35 members mainly our largest businesses. The partnership meets regularly. A report by Sustainability West Midlands commissioned by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) and Telford & Wrekin Council recommended the inception of a Resource Efficiency Cluster to allow organisations to work more closely together to achieve clean growth. We therefore established the Telford Sustainability and Energy Cluster (TSEC) which is a business led group with support from key partners such as academia, the local authority, national agencies such as National Grid and relevant government departments including the Midlands Net Zero Hub. We invited businesses who we had previously engaged with in discussions around either sustainability, net zero and/or energy costs. We invited them to an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of sustainable and clean growth in Telford and Wrekin. A topic we knew was a high priority amongst our businesses. To kick the TSEC off, DENSO hosted the inaugural meeting where we discussed how the cluster will be able to support local businesses, hear from exemplar programmes happening elsewhere in the country and discuss what the issues and immediate actions are for Telford. It is for the Cluster to decide what it feels it wishes to focus on but in recognition of the challenges businesses face achieving energy security or reducing costs and sustainability this could include:
Useful Links: College to host 'Sustainability Solutions Summit' - Telford College: https://www.telfordcollege.ac.uk/news/college-to-host-sustainability-solutions-summit/ Telford businesses connect at sustainability summit | Shropshire Star: https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/business/2024/03/13/telford-businesses-connect-at-sustainability-summit/ Telford businesses connect and collaborate at Telford Sustainability Solutions Summit - Invest Telford: https://www.investtelford.co.uk/news/2024/3/8/telford-businesses-connect-and-collaborate-at-telford-sustainability-solutions-summit-a2571 Telford businesses invited to sustainability solutions summit - Invest Telford: https://www.investtelford.co.uk/news/2024/1/29/telford-businesses-invited-to-sustainability-solutions-summit-a2567 Electrification and Sustainability Conference Sparks Collaboration and Success (shropshirelive.com): https://www.shropshirelive.com/business/2023/07/01/electrification-and-sustainability-conference-sparks-collaboration-and-success/
https://newsroomarchive.telford.gov.uk/News/Details/17135 https://newsroomarchive.telford.gov.uk/News/Details/17185 |
| 11.
Has the council passed a motion to ban high carbon advertising and sponsorship? |
No. |
Biodiversity
|
Question |
Response |
| 1.
Does the council use peat-free compost or soil in all landscaping and horticulture? |
All bedding plants that the council purchase use peat free compost. Tree purchases are obtained bare root in Winter. |
| 2.
Has the council banned the use of pesticides on all council owned and managed land? |
All Green Flag parks are pesticide free. |
| 3.
Has the council stated they are mowing their green spaces less for wildlife? |
We have been increasing the areas we mow less year on year and are continuing to increase the areas suitable for meadow management. |
| 4.
Are two thirds of the local wildlife sites in the council's area in positive conservation management? |
Please see: ENV10 - Local sites in positive conservation management - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) |
| 5.
Does the council have a target to increase tree cover and is a tree management plan agreed as they grow? |
According to Forestry Research the national average tree cover is 15.8% (UK Urban Canopy Cover - Forest Research). Also according to Forestry Research, Telford & Wrekin far exceed this average with 26.6% (GB Ward Canopy Cover WebMap (arcgis.com)) and little potential for increasing this due to land availability. This is inline with the Council’s Tree and Woodland Management Policy 2021 (Tree and Woodland Management Policy for Telford and Wrekin - Telford & Wrekin Council) which states on page 11 under Appendix 1 Telford and Wrekin Council Tree Management Policies that “The Council wishes to maintain and increase the tree cover across the borough, to a target of around 25%, however we will undertake tree planting in areas of the borough where the canopy falls below 25% as a priority” Also within the policy document, under summary of policies, page 5 - “Tree protection. This will include how the Council will · Ensure the “right tree, right place, right reason” principle is adopted to ensure there are no future maintenance and management issues · Ensure the council maintains appropriate canopy cover · Protect ‘valued’ trees.” Telford is also a Tree City of the World. 21 UK Councils recognised as Tree Cities of the World! | Trees for Cities |
| 6.
Does the council turn off or dim their street light network to reduce light pollution? |
Yes (excluding junctions and areas deemed to be at higher risk of ASB / crime etc.). Within the Telford & Wrekin borough, we do have many streetlights that dim between midnight and 5.30 am, the Eco 1 dims to 66 %, and the larger lanterns dim to 75%. We do have some lights recently installed at Lawley that dim to 50%. |
| 7.
Have the council's parks been awarded Green Flag status? |
We now have seven Green Flag parks at; Dothill and Shawbirch Local Nature Reserve; Telford Town Park; Bowring Park; Apley Woods Local Nature Reserve; Hartshill Park; Dale End Park; and Dawley Park. |
| 9.
Does the council require a higher biodiversity net gain commitment from new developments? |
Current 10% minimum. Local Plan review is proposing a higher policy requirement than this, with figure to be determined at Regulation 19 stage. |
| 10.
Has the council introduced a Green Space Factor to increase habitat in new developments? |
No current policy in place. Local Plan review is proposing to include a policy for a Green Space Factor requirement for new development. |
Buildings & Heating
|
Question |
Response |
| 1.
Has the council completed extensive retrofit work on any of its significant buildings to make them low carbon? |
Yes – most recently being Oakengates Leisure Centre (Oakengates Leisure Centre reopens on schedule | Newsroom (telford.gov.uk)) Also see some of our previous projects listed here - Business funding and grants case studies – Herefordshire Council |
| 1b.
Does the council have a target to retrofit all significant council buildings (excluding homes) and has this been costed? |
No formal target specifically for buildings, but a Carbon Descent Pathway has been established with a series of projects including significant Council buildings. Potential projects are assessed based on carbon reduction, cost and feasibility. |
| 4.
Does the council have a target to retrofit all council-owned and managed homes and has this been costed? |
Non-applicable asthe Council is non stock holding. Where properties are developed for specialist accommodation consideration is given in plans to minimising emissions and climate impacts. The Council also owns the limited company NuPlace, which builds homes to Future Homes Standards e.g., at their Woodland Walk site in Muxton, Nuplace are delivering 18 of its 66 homes to Future Homes Standard. |
| 5.
Is the council part of a programme or partnership to support home retrofitting, through providing the skills and training needed or in other ways? |
Yes. Retrofit skills are delivered in Telford and Wrekin, some of which are funded through Local Skills Improvement funding through the Marches Education Partnerships, supported by Telford and Wrekin Council.
Telford and Wrekin Council are represented on the Local Skills Improvement Plan board and on the Operational Delivery Group. TWC have supported the research partner by engaging employers and supporting delivery partners by signposting employers. TWC also have access to government funding which will fund elements of retrofit training which isn’t funded through other mainstream funding. |
| 7.
Are the homes and buildings in the council area energy efficient? |
According to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, on their “Energy Performance of Buildings Data: England and Wales” dataset (link below), Telford and Wrekin have 54% of homes with an EPC rated C or above. Energy Performance of Buildings Data England and Wales (opendatacommunities.org) |
| 9.
Does the council provide a service to support private homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient? |
Yes.
Telford Energy Advice (TEA) - Telford Energy Advice (TEA) - Telford & Wrekin Council
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| 10.
Does the council offer funding to private renters or homeowners to retrofit their homes? |
Yes.
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| 11.
Does the council have a scheme to allow residents to purchase renewable energy cheaply, through collective buying? |
No. |
| 12.
Has the council supported local community renewable energy creation? |
Yes.
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Planning & Land Use
|
Question |
Response |
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1. Is the council's area-wide net zero target a strategic objective of the Local Plan? |
Yes. Telford and Wrekin Local Plan Review DRAFT PLAN 2020-2040 The Council also published its Climate Change Guidance for Development SPD in July 2023 which adds detail to existing policies and consulted on a new suite of policies as part of the Local plan Review in early 2024. Introduction - Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) - Telford & Wrekin Council |
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2. Has the council committed to building all future council-owned or managed housing to a high energy efficiency or operationally net zero standard? |
You can see from the second link provided that "Telford and Wrekin Council no longer own any housing stock which means the expression "council house" no longer applies in the borough. However, there are still properties available with an affordable rent, these are provided by Housing Associations." On pages 22-26 of the Telford & Wrekin Council Carbon Neutral Action Plan (first link) in the 'Borough housing' section. Here you can find several commitments to making homes in the borough more energy efficient, such as points 27-31 (pages 23-26) which mention solar panels for homes and housing retrofits among other initiatives. Point 27 (page 23) details some carbon reduction initiatives such as PV installations and EV charge points for some NuPlace housing developments. NuPlace is a separate entity to Telford & Wrekin Council, although the Council does own them. The properties managed by Telford & Wrekin Council are owned by Nuplace, please see the third link provided that details their Future homes standard properties: "At our Woodland Walk site in Muxton, Nuplace are delivering 18 of its 66 homes to Future Homes Standard. Future Homes is a new Building Regulations standard, set to come into force in 2025, which will require new homes to deliver a 75-80% reduction in carbon emissions from the previous version of the regulations. Working with development partners, Lovell, Nuplace are exploring the most efficient way to deliver a Future Homes Standard property on a standard Nuplace house type. This will be delivered through a mixture of fabric improvements to the envelope of the building, coupled with a range of technology including solar panels and battery storage, air source heat exchangers etc. These properties will be super-efficient in terms of energy use resulting in lower running costs for our tenants. At this site, we are also working with consultants, Focus, to review the embodied carbon within these Future Homes house types so we can consider the carbon footprint of these homes in its entirety and use this information to inform our future development programme." Evidence of this in action can be seen from the approved planning permission on the fourth link provided. |
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3a. Does the council require new homes to make an improvement on the Part L building regulations? |
Yes, please see the Climate Change SPD. |
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3b. Does the council require a fabric first approach for new development? |
The Climate Change SPD supports and encourages a fabric first approach with a dedicated section on it. Local Plan policies BE 1 and BE 2 support design which promotes energy efficiency through layout and design (the core principle of a fabric first approach), see pages 126-130 on Telford & Wrekin Local Plan. However, we don't have specific targets above building regulations. |
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3c. Does the council set a requirement that all new homes to be built must be operationally (regulated) net zero? |
No. |
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4. Does the council require developers to carry out a whole life-cycle carbon assessment of new build developments? |
In the Climate Change SPD , page 22, in the "Building design" section, see "General Design principle 1- circular economy" which encourages developers to adopt a circular economy approach and "reduce whole life carbon emissions". |
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5. Does the council require a higher level of water efficiency for all new homes? |
As set out in the Local Plan Review Issues and Options, it is proposed to adopt a high standard for water efficiency in all new development. See page 84 on the link attached: "8.10.2.8 A measure that the Council could consider is to increase the required water efficiency standards as set out in the Building Regulations – Approved Document G. The current standard is efficiency to limit consumption to 125 litre per person per day with the optional require of increasing efficiency to 110 litre per person per day. The Council could through the review process specify an increase in water efficiency standards subject to appropriate evidence." |
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6. Has the council removed minimum parking requirements for new residential homes across their area? |
No. |
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7. Does the council include a policy in the Local Plan to create 15/20 minute neighbourhoods? |
No. But the Council does have Neighbourhood planning, which gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. The Localism Act (2011) introduced new provisions where parish and town councils from across Telford & Wrekin can prepare either:
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8. Has the council committed to avoiding new building developments on the functional flood plain? |
Yes. It is national policy to avoid development in Flood Zone 3. See pages 93-94 of link provided- "Stage 2 – Initial Assessment of Hard Constraints 10.13 Identify sites considered unsuitable due to site being wholly or significantly within hard constraints, i.e. where development on the remaining developable area would not be considered justifiable. Sites do not progress further. Hard constraints identified within the borough include: Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Local Nature Reserves (LNR). TWLP Review Issues & Options Historic Parks & Gardens. Ancient Woodland/Ancient Trees. Grade I or II Listed Buildings. Scheduled Monuments. Flood Zone 3. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Local Sites (Wildlife or Geological)."
See also page 95- "Stage 5 – Flood Risk Sequential & Exceptions Test 10.17 Sites ranked from low to high on flood risk (sites identified as flood zone 3b will have been ruled out at Stage 2). Rankings are based on findings from the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA). More vulnerable sites (medium to high risk) requires pass of both parts of the Exception Test and site specific Flood Risk Assessment as set out in the NPPF." https://www.telford.gov.uk/downloads/file/15577/local_plan_review_-_issues_and_option_consultation_document |
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9. Does the council have a minimum requirement for on-site renewable energy generation for new building development? |
No. |
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10a. Has the council identified suitable areas for new solar energy, wind developments and district heat networks? |
Updated Policy CC2 and CC3 of the local plan now cover renewable energy in residential and strategically. https://pdf.browsealoud.com/PDFViewer/_Desktop/viewer.aspx?file=https://pdf.browsealoud.com/StreamingProxy.ashx?url=https://www.telfordandwrekinlocalplan.co.uk/download/downloads/id/84/draft-local-plan---low-resolution.pdf&opts=www.telfordandwrekinlocalplan.co.uk#langidsrc=en-gb&locale=en-gb&dom=www.telfordandwrekinlocalplan.co.uk |
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10b. Has the Council approved any planning applications for new or expanded solar or wind developments, battery storage, or renewable district heat networks since 2019? |
Yes.
For more details please see: Renewable Energy Planning Database | BEIS & Barbour ABI (barbour-abi.com) |
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11. Has the Council approved a planning application for a carbon intensive energy system to be built or expanded from 2019? |
No. |