Climate Change under Scrutiny

In July, Stratford-on-Avon District Council declared a 'Climate Emergency' with councillors pledging to take local action to contribute to national carbon neutral targets through the development of practices and policies, with an aim to being carbon neutral in the District by 2030.

Following this, a new Climate Emergency 'Task & Finish Group' has been setup by the District Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC).

This Group is currently exploring what practical steps the District Council can take and how it can team-up with residents, partners and local businesses to tackle Climate Change.

The Group will make a series of headline recommendations between now and Christmas before submitting its final report in January.

A key focus will be understanding how the District Council can build on its current work to tackle Climate Change.

Recent environmental initiatives have included:

• Installing Electric Vehicle charging points at car parks
• Efforts to maintain the District Council's position as one of the top 10 performing local authorities in England for the percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling and composting
• Joining a nationwide water bottle refill scheme to cut plastic waste

Cllr Susan Juned, Chair of the Task and Finish Group, said: "The role of this Task and Finish Group is to analyse what the District Council is currently doing to tackle Climate Change, what we need to do and suggest the steps needed to meet the ambitious goal of the District being carbon neutral by 2030. We have already put together a scoping document, but we need fresh, innovative ideas to work with local businesses. Local Government has a history of leadership in tackling Climate Change and we want Stratford District to be at the forefront of this."

Cllr Peter Richards, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said: "The Group is looking at a number of issues including reducing the District Council's current carbon footprint, ways to encourage residents to reduce and reuse waste, the rollout of electric vehicles and making sure new housing is built to the highest environmental standards.

"As well as looking within the District, we also need to understand how the District Council can work with regional partners such as Warwickshire County Council on issues such as encouraging improved sustainable transport options for residents."

The Group wants to hear ideas from residents, businesses and local organisations on policies to tackle the Climate Emergency. To get in touch with your thoughts please email climate.emergency@stratford-dc.gov.uk

• Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Climate Change update - September 2019
• Climate Change Scoping document
• The next Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting is on Wednesday 2 October