Report highlights council’s work towards tackling the climate emergency

Vale of White Horse District Council’s work towards tackling climate change has been highlighted in a new quarterly report.

As part of its commitment to openness and transparency, the Vale publishes a performance report showing the progress of its Climate Action Plan.  The Plan sets out the steps it will take to become a carbon neutral council and how it will support local efforts to reduce carbon emissions across the district.

The Vale’s first Climate Action Plan report covers April to June 2022.  During this period, the council ran several climate focussed campaigns, including providing grants to 13 community projects which successfully applied for a share of the council’s new £50,000 Climate Action Fund.

The council supported work to install 60 electric vehicle charging points in public car parks across the district to help encourage low carbon travel.

A recycling campaign highlighted what people could do to reduce waste over Easter and the council took part in a ‘No Mow May’ trial to see how wildflowers would bloom if grass was left to grow long on some public land.

Alongside South Oxfordshire District Council, the Vale also agreed a joint Design Guide which includes guidance for anyone undertaking a development on how to ensure building is low or zero carbon.

Cllr Sally Povolotsky, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Environment at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Tackling the climate emergency remains the biggest challenge facing us all.  I’m proud of the work we’ve already carried out to reduce the carbon emissions from our council services and buildings and look forward to seeing even more progress over the coming months.

“This quarterly report ensures that residents can rightly hold us to account against the promises we have made, both in terms of reducing our own emissions and the support we will provide to help communities across the district take their own climate action.”

The Vale report was the first to be published since the adoption of the Climate Action Plan in February and was presented to the council’s Cabinet meeting on 30 September and the council’s Climate Emergency Advisory Committee on 10 October. You can read the full report on the cabinet meeting agenda page.

It came as the council also published its quarterly Corporate Performance Report that highlights its work in achieving its corporate priorities of providing the homes people need; tackling the Climate Emergency; building healthy communities; building stable finances; working in partnership and working in an open and inclusive way.

Notes for editors

For more information about Vale of White Horse District Council’s work on tackling the climate emergency and to view the council’s Climate Action Plan, visit whitehorsedc.gov.uk/climateaction