Biddulph Town Council held it’s first ‘Environment and Climate Change Working Group’ meeting in July 2019, to formulate a ‘Green Town Policy’ for Biddulph, linking with the Neighbourhood Plan, our Tree Charter commitments and existing work within the town, such as ‘Biddulph in Bloom’.
A public meeting was facilitated in September 2019 to generate ideas, which were subsequently developed into an action plan, with achievable and challenging activities where the Town Council can tackle issues at a local level and make a difference in the town.
Here’s some of the initiatives Biddulph Town Council supports and is investigating:
- Overseeing the progress of its Environment and Climate Change Working Group and Action Plan. Environment and Climate Change 2021-22 Action Plan. (2024 – we have completed consultation and an updated Action Plan will be launched soon).
- Supporting ‘Biddulph in Bloom’ via grant funding – this group isn’t just about flowers and making our town look amazing – it’s about environmental responsibility and community involvement. Schools are encouraged to consider environmental projects and containers are planted up with insect and bee attracting plants.
- Managing Town Council property, such as the burial grounds, allotment sites, green spaces and butterfly garden sympathetically to encourage wildlife and nesting birds. Allotment holders are encouraged to recycle water, make their own compost and avoid using chemicals. A change to the Council’s Allotment Policy was approved in February 2021 encouraging the use of non-chemical weed killers and pest control methods with chemical weed killers and pesticides banned from January 2022.
- Improving the energy efficiency of Town Council operated buildings.
- Ensuring Biddulph Town Councillors show regard to bio-diversity when providing comments on planning applications to the district Council, endeavouring to ensure the environment is not harmed by the proposal itself or the work required in delivering it.
- Designating Local Green Spaces within the town for special protection, as part of the Neighbourhood Plan and Neighbourhood Development Order and maintaining maps (created as part of the Neighbourhood Plan process) documenting habitat distinctiveness, wildlife corridors and networks and biodiversity improvement opportunities.
- Protecting trees – the Town Council has adopted the Tree Charter as promoted by the Woodland Trust and has committed to map and identify ancient woodland and mature and veteran trees; to increase the number of Tree Preservation Orders and to develop a tree planting scheme and strategy.
- Investigating the ‘Refill Project’ – a national scheme encouraging the reduction of single use plastic water bottles and a switch to a re-useable water bottles to cut down on plastic pollution. Refill’s ‘app for tap’ details shops and businesses where you can refill your water bottle for free. See refill.org.uk for more information.
- Identifying sites and planting five Community Orchards within Biddulph, in partnership with Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.
- Investigating the installation of covered cycle rack in the town and promoting walking, cycling routes and public transport.
- Investigating the addition of electric vehicle charging points in the town.
- Purchasing and sourcing locally – for example buying locally sourced refreshments for Town Council hospitality.
- Planting of a Jubilee Forest.
- Worked with students from Keele University to compile a report to identify initiatives to make our town more sustainable. The students suggested improving green space and green space usage, tree planting, encouraging pollinator species, advertising local nature walks and renovating the visitor centre at Biddulph Grange Country Park.
- Supporting pre-loved clothing events in the Town Hall – providing new homes for outgrown or unloved clothing, reducing our impact on the planet whilst saving money at the same time.
- Investigating a ‘Library of Things’ – providing the opportunity for residents to rent useful household items.
At the Town Council meeting on 12 October 2021, Biddulph Town Council resolved to send this statement to local and national politicians, and local authorities.
This is a response to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26 – the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference.
It was held in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, between 31 October and 12 November 2021, under the presidency of the United Kingdom.
‘The burning of fossil fuels is damaging the planet we live on. If the damage is not contained the planet will get hotter and hotter to a level where the human race will no longer be able to survive. We therefore ask that burning fossil fuels is replaced by renewable energy sources as soon as possible. Renewable energy generation is now comparably priced to fossil fuel supplies. We ask that all new housing is built to the highest thermal standards and that solar panels are included in every new roof, and that ways and means are found to bring older housing stock up to high thermal standards. We ask that transport is decarbonised through battery or hydrogen technology. We ask that industry is encouraged to generate as much of its own energy as possible through roof based solar panels and wind turbines. We ask that planning regulations demand the avoidance of fossil fuel requirements in all future development and encourage the building of private solar and wind generation schemes in suitable areas.’
What can we all do?
- Drive less and walk or cycle more, especially for short journeys.
- Car share or use public transport.
- Cut grass less frequently and allow more space for nature, increasing wildflower areas.
- Create a ‘Bug Hotel’ to provide a safe place for wildlife – using natural materials such as pinecones, straw, etc – it’s a great way to get children involved.
- Home compost to reduce the amount of household waste sent to landfill.
- Conserve water – use grey/rainwater on our gardens.
- Organise a litter pick.
- Purchase locally.
- Avoid single use plastic. Use a re-refillable water bottle/lunch box.
- Use low energy light bulbs.
- Switch off unneeded lights and turn down heating.
- Reduce/Reuse/Recyle – waste less food – see tips for reducing your food waste at lovefoodhatewaste.com. Do you need it? Can you fix it or give it to someone else? Can it be used in another way? See www.recycling-guide.org.uk.
- Donate the quality products you no longer require to the two charity shops in Biddulph (Douglas Macmillan, 63 High Street and British Red Cross, 3 High Street).
- Sell your unwanted goods on internet auction sites.
- Sign up to paperless services – eg newsletters via email.
- Spread the message – share best practices.
Recycling – A Quick Guide to Your Bin Collection
Grey Bin – Recycling
The materials from this bin are sorted and sent to be re-used to make new products.
Aerosols and cartons
Glass bottles and jars
Greetings cards (no glitter)
Paper and cardboard
Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays
Food tins and drink cans
Tin foil
Brown Bin – Recycling Food and Garden Plant Waste
The contents from this bin are processed into compost.
Cooked and uncooked food waste (taken out of it’s packaging)
Fruit and vegetable peelings
Meat, fish and bones
Dead flowers
Egg shells
Grass cuttings
Hedge trimmings
Weeds (not Japanese Knotweed or Ragwort)
Leaves and windfall fruit
Tea bags
Blue lidded bin – General Waste
For more information, here’s a link to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s Bins and Recycling page:
https://www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/article/497/Bins-and-recycling
Recycle Medical Equipment
Staffordshire County Council partners with Grace Cares to recycle preloved care and medical equipment. Unwanted items can be donated at the collection points at the household waste recycling centres (otherwise known as tips). Typical items donated include walking aids, bathroom equipment, bed risers and commodes. Any unwanted care aids on loan should be returned to the provider.
Grace Cares clean, repair, and refurbish the equipment as needed, ensuring it’s safe and ready for someone new to use. This not only helps individuals who might otherwise struggle to afford these items, but it also keeps perfectly usable equipment out of landfill, benefiting the environment for everyone.
Recycle Paint
If you are a resident, you can drop off leftover paint from your home or collect paint for your home or a local project for FREE at a household waste recycling centre (otherwise known as a tip).
If you’d like to know what volume and range of paint colours; please visit the household waste recycling centre – the staff on site will guide you to the RePaint area.
Flooding
You can find out if the area you live in is at long-term risk of flooding by keying in your postcode at: gov.uk and you can sign up for flood warnings.
You need to provide the address you want flood warnings for, an email address and a way to contact you at any time of the day or night (phone call, text or email).
You can also call Floodline (a 24 hour service) on 0345 988 1188 for flood warning information and general advice.