Introduction
As we approach five years since the declaration of a climate and ecological emergency by the council, there is cause to reflect on the notable strides made to reduce carbon emissions as we work to create a greener and thriving environment in our district.
The council’s own Carbon Action Plan is a roadmap for short, medium, and long-term actions aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2030. It has been assessed by the East Kent Audit Partnership and given a commendable "substantial assurance" rating in the March 2024 Climate Change Audit. This marks a noteworthy advancement from the "reasonable assurance" status received in 2022, affirming the effectiveness of our governance, risk management, and control systems in addressing climate challenges.
The highly successful Folkestone & Hythe Sustainable Futures Forum event held in April 2023 is now being extended with two mini events this autumn. The ongoing Schools' Sustainability Project and proposed Youth Forum are other examples of collective efforts across the district to foster environmental stewardship. These initiatives not only underscore our dedication to sustainability but also empower our community to contribute positively to our ambitious goals.
I urge you to read this briefing offering an insight about what has been taking place across the district and I am always very pleased to discuss any ideas and suggestions about how we can all work together to bring forward further changes.
Cllr Stephen Scoffham
Stephen.Scoffham@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk
Council journey to net zero emissions
In our ongoing efforts to combat climate change, the council has made considerable progress in reducing carbon emissions as outlined in the Carbon Action Plan established in February 2021 including:
- Installation of 103 charging points across 26 car parks within the district, promoting electric vehicle usage.
- Approximately 80% of staff enrolled in e-learning have completed mandatory training on Environmental Awareness.
- Newly elected members have participated in climate change training sessions to enhance their understanding and advocacy.
- The Climate Change Champions, a dedicated group of staff actively promoting emission-reduction measures, meet quarterly.
- 74% of properties registered on the council’s online MyAccount opting for digital interactions and e-billings, reducing paper usage.
- Integration of carbon criteria into all procurement tenders and contracts, ensuring environmentally responsible purchasing practices.
- Officers are working in partnership with Kent County Council (KCC) in the development of the Local Transport Plan 5 (LTP5).
Our journey began with an assessment in the 2018/19 financial year, which revealed a carbon footprint of 1,535 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Results for 2020/21 indicate a modest 3.39% reduction from this baseline. Final figures for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 are awaited.
The Carbon Action Plan is intended to be refreshed and updated periodically. As a result, consultants have been commissioned to quantify the impact of the plan’s 33 actions, establish what progress has been made and model pathways towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2030. The findings of this analysis will be published, providing valuable insights into our progress and guiding future actions.
District-wide Carbon Plan
The council continues to make efforts to reduce carbon emissions across the district, as outlined in the District Wide Carbon Plan. This comprehensive plan aims to collaboratively address carbon reduction while fostering partnership working and capacity building across the district.
The proposed plan was developed in partnership with the Carbon Innovation Lab focusing on five priority pillars - road transport, residential, commercial and industrial sectors, waste and water management, and carbon absorption and biodiversity. By targeting these areas, we aim to pave the way towards a net-zero future while creating a more environmentally sustainable district for our residents.
Chapters 1 to 5 of the plan went out for public consultation from November to December 2023 using various engagement methods to gather valuable feedback. We received more than 400 responses to the consultation from members of the public, local groups and partner organisations which we are currently assessing to see where changes may need to be made to the plan.
Chapters 6 to 8 are being finalised based on the consultation outcomes, ensuring that the plan reflects the needs and aspirations of our community. Through collaborative efforts and strategic planning, we hope that the District Wide Carbon Plan will guide us towards a greener, more sustainable future for Folkestone & Hythe District.
Carbon Innovation Lab
The Carbon Innovation Lab (CI-Lab), the informal voluntary forum set up in June 2022 to drive forward local actions to reduce emissions across the district, continues to work collaboratively to deliver the District Wide Carbon Plan.
The forum fosters a culture for creativity and community engagement having successfully delivered the groundbreaking Folkestone & Hythe Sustainable Futures Forum. As we navigate the complexities of the climate crisis together as a district, the CI-Lab will continue to explore ways to empower our communities to embrace sustainable practices as we forge a way towards a greener future for all. The CI-Lab welcome new members, especially people who can bring their passion and expertise to help tackle the district’s climate challenges.
The Folkestone & Hythe Sustainable Futures Forum
As part of the event that took place in April 2023, eight speakers from the community benefitted from bespoke TEDx-style coaching, delivered Liu Batchelor of LVB Creative.
Four out of the speakers were later awarded grant funding from the Climate Reserve Fund and invited to the Civic Centre for an awards ceremony that took place in January 2024.
Two mini events are now planned for the autumn in anticipation of more substantial initiatives in 2025.
Housing
In 2023 the council was awarded a further £2.6m to improve the energy efficiency of council-managed homes.
The funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero was matched by the council bringing the total spend on improving the homes and wellbeing of tenants to £5.2 million.
The grant continues the work that began in 2022 under Wave1 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF). Tenants in more than 120 homes are benefitting from improvements such as new cavity wall insulation, double-glazed windows, new external doors and solar panel installation. They are also seeing welcome reductions in their household bills.
This additional grant has enabled the energy efficiency improvements to be carried out in another 300 of our social rented homes.
Ross House in Folkestone is the council’s first ‘net zero’ enabled residential block and was re-opened in July 2023 following significant improvement work.
The retrofit work included externally insulating and rendering the building, insulating the loft and under floor voids, installing photovoltaic panels on the roof and adding more energy efficient air source heat pumps. The block of 16 apartments has also been redecorated and had replacement kitchens fitted.
The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) is a central government scheme to fund energy efficiency improvements for residents who heat their homes using electricity, LPG, oil, wood or coal.
The council has signed up to support the delivery of this scheme across the district to help residents with bills and improve the energy efficiency of homes.
Amongst help available are insulation and ventilation upgrades, installing low carbon heating systems, solar panels and energy efficient lighting.
The scheme is available for property owners and those who rent and have a household income of £31,000 or less.
Net zero toolkit
We have published an easy – to – follow guide detailing the best way of achieving net zero carbon in a house build or renovation.
The best practice toolkit is aimed at homeowners as well as small or medium-sized house builders, architects, contractors, self-builders and consultants, and covers steps from pre-planning through to construction.
Council officers have worked with Kent County Council and with industry experts Etude, Levitt Bernsten and Introba to produce the guidance detailing the very latest design approach and good practice.
Production of the toolkit has been funded by the council’s Climate Change reserve fund and by Homes England and has drawn on work carried out by the council on proposed developments within the district, such as Otterpool Park.
Solar Together Kent
Folkestone & Hythe District Council has been working with Kent County Council and the other Kent local authorities on the Solar Together Kent scheme, delivered by the company iChoosr.
Residents, small businesses and charities are invited to register their interest in solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicle charging systems, and an auction is then held with trusted suppliers to secure group discounts for installations. People are notified of the price and can decide whether they want to proceed.
For the scheme that launched in spring 2023, 62 customers in the Folkestone and Hythe district installed 664 solar panels, with 56 of those customers adding battery storage. There were a further 10 battery installations for customers who already had solar panels installed on their homes.
Another scheme was launched in autumn 2023 and is still in progress and a new scheme was launched in spring 2024. There continues to be widespread customer interest in the schemes.
Keeping the district looking beautiful
Our grounds maintenance team excel at keeping the district looking its best and the green flags awarded to our parks and open spaces are testament to this.
Peat-free growing media is being used and 100% of seasonal bedding is now supplied peat free.
Where possible and effective, small battery powered equipment and machinery is purchased and used across the wider teams.
Active Travel consultation
Residents were asked in March and April to shape future improvements to the district’s active travel network by commenting on draft proposals.
The Folkestone and Hythe Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan sets out recommendations for new and enhanced walking, wheeling and cycling routes to enable residents and visitors to make more journeys on foot or by cycle.
Comments received are being incorporated into the plan which will be considered by councillors.
The plan will make it easier to make the case for future active travel investment – something both Folkestone & Hythe District Council and Kent County Council have both, working in partnership, been successful with in recent years.
Green Business Grant Scheme
To help businesses become more energy efficient, non-repayable grants were made available to local companies and 14 took up the offer during the two-year scheme, receiving total funding of £155,133 covering up to 40% of a total project cost.
The aim was to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint and the grant covered up to 40% of a total project cost.
Applications approved were:
- Folkestone Leas Lift lockout room - eco heating/ LED lighting/ insulation measures, £5,124.24
- Cheriton Road Sports Ground Trust - LED lighting systems for sports pitches, £25,000
- Burlington Hotel - heat pump based heating/ cooling system in 12 guest rooms, £12,528
- Hythe Bay Financial Ltd - double glazing, £919.60
- Creative Folkestone - solar PV System, £17,052.80
- Tradex Home Improvements - solar PV system/ heat pump based heating/ cooling system, £7,475.16
- Bigjigs Toys Ltd - LED Lighting installation to warehouse, £15,226
- Sandgate Parish Council - solar PV system, £4,800
- TQB Ltd - eco heating/ printer, £954.00
- NIC Instruments - multiple measures to reduce carbon levels, £11,798.14
- Leas Lift Company - solar PV system/ LED Lighting systems, £25,000
- Plamil Foods Ltd - water recycling initiative for manufacturing process, £1,995.60
- HEH Global Ltd – solar PV system for hair salon, £2,260
- Docker Fermentation Ltd - installation of pellet based oven for bakery business,£25,000
The scheme has now closed.
Rural England Prosperity Fund
As a result of central government funding, the council has £350,000 available to provide capital grant funding for both businesses and community projects in areas classed as rural locations.
Among projects approved for funding have been:
- Newchurch Village Hall Trust - solar PV System and storage batteries, £15,108.75
- Elham Village Hall Association – secure cycle shelter to encourage more cycling and reduced driving to the venue, £3,316.50
- Hawkinge Cricket Club – solar PV system, £20,000
- Sellindge & District playing fields Benevolent Society - solar PV System and storage batteries, £25,000
- Stowting Community Council - solar PV system, £9,450
The scheme remains open until 31 March 2025 or until funding is exhausted.
Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy
The Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy was approved by council’s cabinet in 2023 following comprehensive evidence-gathering and consultation exercises.
The strategy sets out the district’s network of green and blue infrastructure and provides an assessment of the needs and opportunities, strategic priorities and future actions.
Five evidence areas are described and covered in the strategy - biodiversity, trees and woodlands; access, recreation and active travel; health and wellbeing; blue infrastructure and the coast and landscape character and heritage.
Among the key findings of the strategy included:
- Due to the variety and extent of important habitats the district supports many specialised and rare species, such as Turtle Doves and Chalk Grassland Orchids.
- Overall, Folkestone and Hythe’s tree canopy is around 8% of its area, less than half of the Kent average of 17%. There is a distinct north-south divide in the district.
- Climate change vulnerability mapping by Natural England indicates that the fragmented, wetland and low-lying habitats around Romney Marsh are highly vulnerable.
A Priorities and Opportunities Summary document was also consulted upon. This will enable the council to focus efforts to enhance the natural environment where the most gains can be made and where the need is greatest.
Making Space for Nature
The council is working closely with the lead authority, Kent County Council - alongside Medway Council, the other Kent local planning authorities, Natural England and other partners - on ‘Making Space for Nature’, the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Kent and Medway. Although this project is still at an early stage, when finalised the strategy will help to promote nature’s recovery, map the most valuable areas for nature across the county and – working closely with landowners, farmers and land managers - identify locations where new habitats could be created. The council will also use Making Space for Nature in preparing the next local plan for Folkestone & Hythe. Making Space for Nature will be one of 48 plans that will eventually cover the whole of England.