Performance Improvement Plan 2024 - 2025 Quarter 3 Update Report p5
Improvement Objective 3:
Planet - We will reduce our environmental impact and improve sustainability.
By:
- Moving towards cleaner energy and reducing our consumption.
- Delivering an effective and efficient Waste Management Service.
- Supporting biodiversity.
- Reaching environmental standards and targets.
- Sharing learning and best practice.
Who is responsible:
- Director of Community
- Interim Director of Operations
Why are we doing this?
- The actions set out to achieve this objective align with the key priorities identified through public consultation. They demonstrate how the Council is leading by example, whilst also working to engage and educate on sustainability. They assist the development of the borough’s electric vehicle charging network, they focus on providing an effective and efficient waste management service, and they demonstrate support for biodiversity within the borough.
- Our citizens identified help to reduce consumption, waste and litter, and awareness and assistance in tackling climate change as the two most important things the Council could do to be more environmentally friendly. Adopting environmentally sustainable transport ranked third and protecting plants and animals ranked fourth (MEABC Citizens Survey 2022).
- Measures to address climate change, environmental awareness, and the importance of respect for the local and natural environment, were points raised throughout the Community Planning Review (2022) consultation.
- The phase out date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is 2035.
The pages that follow outline our progress towards achieving our outcomes for citizens.
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Outcome 1 - Energy-saving and clean energy projects within Council buildings |
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Measure 1 |
6 energy-saving projects delivered by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: Achieved |
We have installed 7 LED lighting schemes across our assets so far this year, with more projects underway. |
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Measure 2 |
4 clean-energy projects delivered by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: On track |
New solar PVs will be installed at our Sullatober Waste Depot (old site) and Portglenone Marina by the end of March 2025. The project at Waveney Household Recycling Centre has been rescheduled to the new financial year. The installation of battery storage within two existing solar PV projects has been delayed and should complete by the end of March 2025. |
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Measure 3 |
Approximately 77,000kg CO2e savings by 31 March 2025 (lifecycle saving - 1.5m kg). |
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Status: Not due yet |
This data will be available in April 2025. |
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Measure 4 |
Approximately £80,000 savings through energy projects by 31 March 2025 (lifecycle savings - £16m). |
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Status: Not due yet |
This data will be available in April 2025. |
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Outcome 2 - Expansion of electric vehicle chargepoints within the borough |
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Measure 1 |
12 fast chargers procured through the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) by 30 September 2024. |
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Status: Achieved |
The procurement process is now complete. The contract was awarded in December 2024. |
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Measure 2 |
Installation date for ORCS chargers confirmed by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: On track |
The contractor hopes to install by 31 March 2025. This timescale may be subject to change. |
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Measure 3 |
6 upgraded charge stations through ESB by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: On track |
Of the 6 locations identified for upgrading, 3 are complete at Tower Road Larne, Larne Link Road Ballymena, and Henry Street Ballymena. The remaining 3 are on track for delivery by 31 March 2025. |
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Outcome 3 - Achievement of our statutory Waste Management targets |
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Measure 1 |
At least 50% of household waste collected sent for recycling by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: On track |
From April to September 2024, 54.84% of household waste collected was sent for recycling. Verified data up to December 2024 is not yet available and will be provided in the next update report. |
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Measure 2 |
A maximum of 16,387 tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: On track |
From April to September 2024, 7,744 tonnes of biodegradable waste collected was sent to landfill. Verified data up to December 2024 is not yet available and will be provided in our next update report. |
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Measure 3 |
Less than 75,797 tonnes collected municipal waste arisings by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: On track |
From April to September 2024, there were 41,336 tonnes of collected municipal waste arisings. Verified data up to December 2024 is not yet available and will be provided in our next update report. |
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Outcome 4 - Delivery of our Tree and Woodland Management Strategy |
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Measure 1 |
5,000 trees planted within the borough by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: Achieved |
Over 350,000 trees have been planted so far this year, with 70,000 more scheduled for planting before the end of March. |
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Outcome 5 - Achievement of environmental targets and accreditations, where viable |
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Measure 1 |
Re-certification of International Management Standard ISO14001 by 31 August 2024. |
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Status: Achieved |
We obtained re-certification of ISO140001 for another 3 years in August 2024. No non-conformances or observations for improvement were identified. |
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Measure 2 |
A minimum of Gold Status in the NI Benchmarking Survey by 30 November 2024. |
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Status: Achieved |
The results were announced at an event organised by Business in the Community NI in November 2024. Achieving Platinum level, we were the top performing council in this year's survey. |
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Measure 3 |
Gaps identified in the 2023 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey addressed by 31 October 2024. |
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Status: On track |
We have taken the following steps to address the gaps identified:
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Outcome 6 - Opportunities to engage in environmental education programmes |
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Measure 1 |
10 community engagement sessions held on Waste and Recycling, and Climate and Sustainability by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: Achieved |
We have delivered environmental education sessions to 10 local community groups, businesses and social enterprises so far this year. |
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Measure 2 |
Support for the Eco-Schools programme, with a 5% increase in the number of schools with Green Flags by 30 June 2025. |
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Status: On track |
Live Here Love Here awarded funding to 5 local schools to deliver a range of environmental projects which will help them to achieve their Green Flag status. Projects include the creation of a fruit and vegetable garden, a sensory garden and wellness space, an eco-friendly outdoor learning environment, a biodiversity project, and a flowered seated area for intergenerational use. |
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Measure 3 |
Delivery of 5 circular economy waste initiatives by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: Achieved |
There are 5 key initiatives being delivered this year to promote sustainability, reduce waste, and support our local communities:
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