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Warminster Town Council: Delivering a brighter, greener future for all

Council: What we doClimate Change

Climate Change

…now is the time to act

Our commitment to the environment

The UK Climate Change Act 2008 set an ambitious target of reducing the 1990 level of CO2 to 34% by 2020, and reducing it even further to 80% by 2050.

The impacts of climate change are already being felt and will continue to grow in severity. Climate change requires everyone to work together to make adjustments to their lives, businesses or communities in order to secure a better future for all.

Warminster Town Council

Warminster Town Council is committed to supporting the lead provided by Wiltshire Council.

Climate Change Strategy – ADOPTED November 2020Download
Take the Warminster Pledge – summary and full versionDownload
Take the Warminster Pledge – Response FormDownload

You can see what Wiltshire Council is doing to tackle climate change here:

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/green-economy-climate-change

Nationally
Committee on Climate Change gives Independent advice to government on building a low-carbon economy and preparing for climate change
https://www.theccc.org.uk/


Simple Steps you can take

  • Drive less and walk or cycle more – especially for short journeys 
  • Before buying new, check if you can repair, reuse or recycle instead
  • Switch off unneeded lights and turn down heating
  • Avoid single use plastic
  • Use 2nd hand goods 

Town council leadership and education

The town council wishes to show leadership by example. The town council has already taken steps to reduce its environmental impact. For example, the council: 

  • Has switched to a green energy supplier
  • uses biodegradable cups in the Café
  • use composting in the Lake Pleasure Grounds
  • has timer switches on the lights e.g. in the Lake Pleasure Grounds
  • sells biodegradable doggy bags at the civic centre
  • recycling bins in the Lake Pleasure Grounds and in council buildings. 
  • Works in Partnership with the Warminster Area Board and Wiltshire Council on their climate change agenda/actions.
  • Has pledged to strive to become a carbon neutral organisation by 2030.
  • Supported the provision of a water refill station by the library 

The Lake Pleasure Grounds and Smallbrook Meadows are significant contributors to bio-diversity in Warminster.  When the town council takes on management of further land from Wiltshire Council it will seek to increase biodiversity and reduce carbon emissions. 

The Council is working to embed environmental considerations in the next Neighbourhood Plan and Town Plan. This encompassed things such as: environmental standards for new houses and development. The town council has already committed £25,000 to this process with the explicit intention of securing stronger environmental measures.

Warminster Town Council has set up a Climate Change Working Group. The Working Group is made up of Councillors and members of the public.

The working group will look at ideas and suggestions such as:

  • Pushing for improved cycling infrastructure by implementing the schemes laid out in the neighbourhood plan.
  • Examining the town council’s procurement policies with a view to make them environmentally friendly
  • Transition council owned vehicles to electric vehicle(s) and low emission vehicles
  • Creating a carbon reduction grant pot 
  • Consider ways of encouraging use of public transport by staff and the public
  • Purchase of biodegradable or reusable alternatives to single use plastic 
  • Promote and partake in events such as zero waste week and cycle to work day etc
  • Invest in renewable energy (not necessarily on council owned buildings)
  • A Warminster cup – as per the Shrewsbury cup, where customers pay a £1 deposit for a reusable cup, which can be returned to any participating café who refund the £1.
  • Adopt the Tree Charter as promoted by the Woodland Trust
  • Promotion of Electric Bicycles 
  • Promotion of electric car charging points
  • Investigation of the cost/benefits of paperless meetings
  • Carbon offsetting schemes
  • A Warminster Pledge
  • A local Green Award for businesses and other organisations

Useful Links
Carshare. Did you know that a commuter will typically save over £1,200 a year? Find someone to share your journey with to begin savings money.  Car sharing is a great way of alleviating the stress caused by travel and reducing road and parking congestion.
https://liftshare.com/uk/community/wiltshire

Recycling centre
https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/household-recycling-centres

Cut your food waste
www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-reduce-food-waste

Donate or buy  a wide variety of good quality pre-owned furniture and home appliances; from sofas, suites, chairs, tables, beds and wardrobes to TVs, Hi-Fi systems, washing machines, fridges and dishwashers.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/find-bhf-near-you/warminster-furniture-electrical-store

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