If you would like to know more about our Climate Change and Green Recovery objectives, take a look at the questions below:
- Why has the council committed to become a carbon neutral authority by 2040, instead of 2030?
We have set the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 rather than 2030 for the simple reason that it is more realistic. Achieving carbon neutrality requires progress to be made in fields and industries external to us. For example, our vehicular fleet includes waste collection lorries. To achieve carbon neutrality, a super low emission alternative would need to be used. This is not a technology which is currently available to us – a change in the technology is needed to enable this transition.
2040 is 19 years away. There is no way of knowing how quickly the necessary technologies to reach carbon neutrality will become accessible between now and then. Therefore, we will seek every opportunity to enable carbon neutrality to be achieved before this date.
- What actions has the council taken to reduce carbon emissions from its own activities?
We have been committed to reducing carbon emissions from our own activities since before we declared a climate emergency in 2019. Examples of measures we have taken to reduce our carbon footprint can be found on our Reducing Energy Consumption - What else have we done? webpage.
- What actions will the council take to ensure it achieves carbon neutrality by 2040?
We have recently commissioned the production of a full carbon audit. This sets out the total level of carbon emissions produced by our activities and identifies how much carbon is emitted from each source. This has allowed us to identify where the most savings can be made. Using this data, we are currently producing a series of delivery plans which will break down our journey to carbon neutrality into a series of specific stages. Once we have finalised these delivery plans, they will be made available to the public.
- What role does the authority play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the local area?
We only have direct control over the emissions released from our own activities. It is the responsibility of organisations, businesses, and individuals to adopt more sustainable practices, reducing emissions from their own activities. However, we recognise that we have a leadership role in the fight against climate change and are therefore committed to leading by example. We also recognise that we have a crucial role to play in supporting others in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, increasing their sustainability measures overall. For more information as to some of the ways we intend to do this, please see our Climate Change and Green Recovery Strategy.
- Does the council monitor air quality in the Borough, ensuring that air quality remains at a safe level?
Yes. We have a statutory duty to monitor air quality throughout the Borough to ensure it remains at a safe level. This is mandated by Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 – Local Air Quality Management, which sees the submission of an Air Quality Annual Status Report each year. Should the air quality in the Borough reach unsafe levels, we will take action to rectify this. For more information, please see our Environmental Health webpages: Pollution - Air, Smoke and Bonfires.
- How does the council work to enhance and protect wildlife in the Borough?
We manage eight Local Nature Reserves across the Borough and assist with Stone Town Council’s “Crown Meadow”. They are places that support a rich variety of wildlife and are important to local people, by enabling contact with the natural world. The reserves include examples of marsh, heath, reedbed, woodland and meadow. Each site has its own five-year Management Plan, which can be viewed on our website via the Local Nature Reserves webpage.
- Does the council work with any other organisations to achieve its Climate Change and Green Recovery objectives?
Yes. We work with a wide range of stakeholders and partner organisations to deliver our Climate Change and Green Recovery objectives. These include Staffordshire County Council, Keele University, the Centre of Alternative Technology, Sustainability West Midlands, and a range of local environmental groups.
- Can the council do anything to prevent the use of artificial turf in the Borough?
We can’t restrict the use of artificial turf on private premises across the Borough. However, we would encourage residents to lay live rather than artificial turf for several reasons. For example, artificial turf does not soak up moisture, meaning surface-water runoff is more likely to be experienced during periods of rainfall in areas where artificial turf has been laid. Furthermore, it holds no ecological value as it does not provide a suitable habitat for invertebrates. Therefore, we would encourage the use of live turf wherever possible.
- Does the council monitor how much food is wasted across the Borough?
How will the council work with communities to reduce the level of food waste in the Borough? At present, we have no method of calculating the level of food that is wasted across the Borough. However, we are aware of the environmental impacts of food waste. Therefore, we will look for opportunities to help communities reduce the level of food waste that they generate. We have also published advice as to how residents can reduce their food waste and compost their leftovers on our Make Staffordshire Sustainable webpage.
- Who is responsible for preventing flooding in the Borough?
Staffordshire County Council is the local flood authority. However, there are a number of organisations and parties responsible for reducing the risk of flooding across the Borough, depending on the situation. More information can be found on the County Council’s website.
- How many electric vehicle charging points are there across Stafford Borough?
Whose responsibility is it to increase the number of vehicle charging points across the Borough. There are 23 locations where electric vehicle users can charge their vehicles in Stafford Borough. Combined, these provide 39 charging points in total. This does not include domestic charging points.
Increasing the number of charge points in the Borough requires the collective efforts of consumers, private companies, Government, and ourselves. It is not the responsibility of a single party or organisation. We are committed to playing our part to increase the number of charging points across the Borough, and so will actively seek opportunities to enable this.
- Who are the main contacts for the delivery of climate change and green recovery initiatives at the council?
Corporate Business and Partnerships lead our climate change agenda, whilst Strategic Planning and Placemaking lead our green recovery agenda. The emails for both departments can be found below.
Corporate Business and Partnerships: corporatebusiness@staffordbc.gov.uk
Strategic Planning and Placemaking: strategicplanning@staffordbc.gov.uk
- How does Stafford Borough Council work with Staffordshire County Council and other Staffordshire district councils to address the issue of climate change across the whole county?
We meet with the county council and all the Staffordshire district and borough councils monthly. This provides us with an opportunity to share best practice and to identify ways in which we can work together to deliver climate change and green recovery measures.
- Who is responsible for the delivery of sustainable development in the Borough? How will the council ensure flooding is considered when development is being delivered?
The Strategic Planning and Placemaking team are responsible for the delivery of sustainable development within the Borough. They are also responsible for ensuring development is delivered in compliance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The NPPF provides the directive for ensuring flooding is adequately considered in the delivery of development, and can be read in full on the GOV.UK website.
- Who is responsible for maintaining highways in the Borough?
Staffordshire County Council are the local highways authority. For any enquiries relating to highways and traffic in the borough, please contact the Highways Team. Their contact details can be found on the Staffordshire County Council Highways webpage.