Climate Action Scorecards 2024-2025 Answers

1a.  Has the council completed extensive retrofit work on any of its significant buildings to make them low carbon?

In March 2023 Waverley Borough Council completed extensive retrofit works on Memorial Hall, Farnham.

1b.  Does the council have a target to retrofit all significant council buildings (excluding homes) and has this been costed?

Waverley Borough Council’s top priority actions in the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan will focus on reducing carbon emissions from the most significant buildings. Costs can only be estimated until firm plans have been developed.

2.  Are the council's operations powered by renewable energy?

To be marked via a Freedom of Information enquiry.

Waverley Borough Council currently generates 3.07% of the council’s energy consumption through various solar PV arrays.

3.  Are the homes owned and managed by the council energy efficient?

To be marked via a Freedom of Information enquiry.

Waverley Borough Council is currently updating our Asset Management System but this information will be available shortly.

4.  Does the council have a target to retrofit all council-owned and managed homes and has this been costed?

Our Housing Asset Management Strategy 2022-2030 sets out the additional investment needed to meet Decent Homes Standard and EPC C by 2030. The figure quoted would need to be revised in light of market changes, data or compliance changes.

5.  Is the council part of a programme or partnership to support home retrofitting, through providing the skills and training needed or in other ways?

Volunteers have been trained to conduct energy surveys in residential properties. The Home Energy Advice Taskforce, co-ordinated by Surrey County Council, Zero Carbon Guildford and What Next?, provides residents with free home energy surveys and tailor-made suggestions on how they could improve their energy efficiency and potentially save on bills. The team has completed the Delivering High Quality Domestic Home Energy Advice course from National Energy Action and been DBS checked.

6.  Does the council have a staff member employed to work on retrofitting across the council area?  To be marked via a Freedom of Information enquiry.

Waverley Borough Council employs an Energy Efficiency Project Lead and an Energy Efficiency Officer on a full-time basis in the Housing Service. Waverley also engage the services of Action Surrey to help with energy efficiency.

7.  Are the homes and buildings in the council area energy efficient?

This is to be marked using national data available showing the Energy Performance Certificates for homes and buildings in the Borough.

8.  Is the council actively enforcing Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards of homes in the private rented sector?

We have officers who monitor Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards of homes in the private rented sector.

9.  Does the council provide a service to support private homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient?

Waverley Borough Council partners with Action Surrey to provide support to homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient.

10.  Does the council offer funding to private renters or homeowners to retrofit their homes?

Waverley Borough Council has a discretionary Safe and Warm Grant and promotes other funding schemes through updates on our website and on social media platforms.

11.  Does the council have a scheme to allow residents to purchase renewable energy cheaply, through collective buying?

We support the Solar Together group buying scheme for solar panels, which is available to residents of Waverley.

12.  Has the council supported local community renewable energy creation?

This question will be marked using data provided by Community Energy England. 

As per Q11, Waverley Borough Council supports the Solar Together group buying scheme for solar panels, which is available to residents of Waverley.

1.  Is the council transitioning their vehicle fleet to electric?

Yes, currently 19% of Waverley Borough Council owned vehicles are electric.

2.  Has the council set up or supported a shared transport scheme that can be used across their whole area?

Residents of Waverley are able to use either Hoppa or Surrey Connect on demand electric bus services.  

10.  Has the council supported the expansion of a public network of electric vehicle chargers?

To be marked via National Data.

Yes, Waverley Borough Council continues to install Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers in our public car parks across the borough and we have a roll-out plan to install more.  Along with EV chargers installed by Surrey County Council, there will be 68+ public chargers available. Please see the EV Charging page on our website and our Climate Change & Sustainability Strategy for more information.

11.  Has the council approved, expanded or built a high carbon transport project since 2020?

To be marked via Freedom of Information request.

No, the council has not approved, expanded or built a high carbon transport project since 2020.

12a.  Do the NO2 levels in a significant proportion of neighbourhoods within the council’s area exceed the safe World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution guidelines?

This is to be marked using National Data.

WBC's 2024 Air Quality Annual Status Report  provides progress on actions detailed in the Air Quality Action Plan and Clean Air Strategy, as well as reviewing monitoring data in 2023.

12b.  Do the PM 2.5 levels in a significant proportion of neighbourhoods in the council’s area exceed the safe World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution guidelines?

This is to be marked using National Data. 

WBC's 2024 Air Quality Annual Status Report  provides progress on actions detailed in the Air Quality Action Plan and Clean Air Strategy, as well as reviewing monitoring data in 2023.

1.  Is the council's area-wide net zero target a strategic objective of the Local Plan?

Not currently. The Waverley Borough Local Plan Part 1 (LPP1) was adopted in February 2018, prior to the Council declaring a climate emergency in September 2019. One of the objectives of LPP1 is “to reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change and minimise the risks resulting from the impact of climate change”. The Council is in the early stages of preparing a new Local Plan for the borough which will include an updated set of objectives.

2.  Has the council committed to building all future council-owned or managed housing to a high energy efficiency or operationally net zero standard?

Our Housing Asset Management Strategy 2022-2030 states that the overall Strategic Vision for Landlord Services within the council is directed by the Corporate Strategy 2020 – 2025 and sets out the ambition for all new homes on council land to achieve an energy rating of EPC A. The strategy is also linked to the council’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy, with the objective to be carbon neutral across all the councils’ activities by 2030.

3a.  Does the council require new homes to make an improvement on the Part L building regulations?

Yes, Policy DM2 of the Waverley Local Plan Part 2 sets out that the Council will support proposals which seek to achieve a reduction in carbon emissions against the Target Emission Rate in Part L of the building Regulations or zero carbon development.

3b.  Does the council require a fabric first approach for new development?

Yes, in implementing Policies CC1 and CC2 of Waverley Local Plan Part 1, the Council has adopted a fabric first approach. The Climate Change and Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (adopted October 2022) sets out that applicants must demonstrate that a ‘Fabric First’ approach has been considered for the development.

3c.  Does the council set a requirement that all new homes to be built must be operationally (regulated) net zero?

No, however the Council will be gathering evidence relating to net zero objectives as part of the preparation of the new Local Plan.

4.  Does the council require developers to carry out a whole life-cycle carbon assessment of new build developments?

No, however the Climate Change and Sustainability SPD sets out considerations for embodied carbon and states that applicants should demonstrate how embodied carbon has been reduced at the design stage of the development. In respect of proposals for the Dunsfold Garden Village, the Dunsfold Park Garden Village SPD (adopted February 2022) requires applicants to undertake a Life Cycle Assessment.

5.  Does the council require a higher level of water efficiency for all new homes?

Yes, new dwellings must meet the limit of 110 litres of water per person per day as reflected in Policy CC2 of LPP1. The Climate Change and Sustainability SPD sets out that applicants must demonstrate how the development will implement water efficiency measures, what type of appliances will be installed in bathrooms, kitchens and gardens and water recycling schemes in order to meet the 110 litres per person per day requirement.

6.  Has the council removed minimum parking requirements for new residential homes across their area?

No, however LPP1 confirms that the Council will support and promote measures to reduce reliance on travel by car both in providing for new development and in supporting measures promoted through the Surrey Local Transport Plan. The Climate Change and Sustainability SPD also provides advice and guidance to support future development to promote the use of sustainable transport modes to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.

7.  Does the council include a policy in the Local Plan to create 15/20 minute neighbourhoods?

As part of achieving development that is sustainable and provides access to local facilities as required by LPP1 Policy ST1: Sustainable Transport, the Climate Change and Sustainability SPD sets out that applicants should aim to achieve 15-minute neighbourhoods as part of larger residential or mixed-use developments.

8.  Has the council committed to avoiding new building developments on the functional flood plain?

Yes, Local Plan Part 1 Policy CC4 requires that development must not constrain the natural function of the flood plain.

9.  Does the council have a minimum requirement for on-site renewable energy generation for new building development?

No, however the LPP2 Policy DM2 requires development proposals for new dwellings to demonstrate how emissions savings have been maximised at each stage of the energy hierarchy towards achieving minimal carbon emissions, which includes use of low carbon and renewable energy at Stage 4. The Climate Change and sustainability SPD sets out that applicants should use renewable energy technologies and highlights the potential for smaller scale renewable energy generation.

10a.  Has the council identified suitable areas for new solar energy, wind developments and district heat networks?

The Council will be looking at identifying suitable areas for renewable and low carbon energy sources as part of preparing a new Local Plan.

10b.  Has the Council approved any planning applications for new or expanded solar or wind developments, battery storage, or renewable district heat networks since 2019?

This is to be marked using National Data.

We have approved applications for new solar developments since 2019, but they are under 1MW in capacity.

1a.  Does the council's corporate plan include a net zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?

In September 2019 the Council declared a climate emergency with an aim to becoming a carbon-neutral council by 2030, encouraging carbon reduction and the promotion of biodiversity and sustainable homes, businesses and transport across the borough. This is set out in our Corporate Strategy 2020-2025 (waverley.gov.uk)

1b.  Does the council's medium term financial plan include the council's net zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?

Yes, it supports the delivery of our Climate Neutrality Action Plan.

2.  Does the council's Corporate Risk Register accurately identify the risks of climate change to the local area?

Yes, risk CR6 in Waverley Borough Council’s Corporate Risk Register addresses climate change and the risk of failing to meet our target of becoming net zero by 2030.

3a.  Is the council reporting on its own greenhouse gas emissions?

Yes, in our Greenhouse Gas Emissions Annual Report 2022-23.

3b.  According to the council's own reporting, have the council's own greenhouse gas emissions reduced since 2019?

Yes, the 2019 figure was 3838 tCO2e and the 2022-23 figure was 3233 tCO2e.

4.  Has the council's area wide carbon emissions decreased, according to UK Government data?

This will be marked using National Data.

Yes, Waverley Borough Council’s area wide carbon emissions have decreased: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

5.  Has the council adopted a new governance or decision making process to put tackling the climate emergency at the heart of every council decision made?

Yes, Waverley Borough Council has Sustainability considerations written into all committee papers.

6a.  Does the council have a sustainable procurement policy that includes an area wide net zero target and makes tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?

Yes, see our Sustainable Procurement Policy.

6b.  Does the councils' procurement policy require tenders to take action to reduce waste, carbon emissions or other environmental actions?

Yes, see specifically Scope and Aims, Climate Change Mitigation, and Sustainable Resource Use and Consumption in our Sustainable Procurement Policy.

7.  Does the council have a Cabinet member or Portfolio Holder that has climate change explicitly in their remit?

Yes, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability.

8.  What percentage of the council's overall staff work on implementing their Climate Action Plan or other climate change projects?

To be marked via a Freedom of Information enquiry.

Waverley Borough Council directly employs 408 staff. There are 4 full time officers in the Sustainability Team:

• Sustainability Manager x 1
• Sustainability Projects Officer x 2
• Sustainable Transport Officer x 1

Everyone who works for Waverley Borough Council is aware of the carbon footprint for which they are responsible and should be doing everything they can to reduce this carbon footprint to net zero.

9.  Have all senior management and councillors in the cabinet or committee chairs received climate awareness training?

To be marked via a Freedom of Information enquiry.

Climate awareness training is available as a recommended e:learning module in our induction programme. Climate awareness training is also available online to all Councillors but we do not have a record available of those who have taken it up.

10a.  Has the council raised ring-fenced income for climate action from property development?

No.

10b.  Has the council launched a Climate Bond, Community Municipal Investment or equivalent?

No.

10c.  Has the council raised income for climate action from any other sources?

No.

11a.  Has the council passed a motion in support of divestment from all fossil fuels from the councils' pension funds?

Waverley Borough Council subscribes to the Surrey County Council Pension Scheme.

11b.  Has the council's pensions fund committed to divesting from all fossil fuels?

As above.

12.  Does the council have direct investments in airports or high carbon intensive energy industries?

No.

1. Does the council use peat free compost or soil in all landscaping and horticulture?

Yes, Waverley Borough Council uses peat free compost.

2.  Has the council banned the use of pesticides on all council owned and managed land?

Following the adoption of its Pesticide Policy and Action Plan in November 2020, Waverley Borough Council has managed to achieve a 75% reduction in the use of Glyphosate since 2019/20.

3. Has the council stated they are mowing their green spaces less for wildlife?

Waverley Borough Council takes part in ‘No Mow May’, organised by wild plant conservation charity Plantlife, which encourages people to say no to mowing during the month of May. All of Waverley’s parks and open spaces, housing sites, amenity areas and verges are left uncut. Highway verge cutting and weed control is dealt with by Surrey County Council.

5.  Does the council have a target to increase tree cover and is a tree management plan agreed as they grow?

Waverley Borough Council has a Tree and Woodland Policy. We aim to increase tree and woodland cover on council managed land and manage woodland appropriately and in a sustainable manner, in accordance with the objectives and guidance set out in Woodland Management Plans as approved by the Forestry Commission. We recently received a grant to plant over 7,000 new trees in the borough.

7.  Have the council's parks been awarded Green Flag status?

To be marked via National Data.

The following parks/open spaces which are all managed by Waverley Borough Council have been awarded Green Flag status:

• Badshot Lea Pond and Orchard
• Bealeswood Common
• Blackheath Common
• Broadwater Park
• Farnham Park
• Frensham Great Pond & Common
• Lammas Lands
• Mare Hill Common
• Phillips Memorial Park
• Summerlands Estate
• Weybourne Nature Reserve

8.  Does the council employ a planning ecologist to scrutinise planning reports for improvements to biodiversity in new developments, such as biodiversity net gain?

To be marked via a Freedom of Information enquiry.

Not at present.

9.  Does the council require a higher biodiversity net gain commitment from new developments?

No, Local Plan Part 2 (adopted March 2023) requires a minimum biodiversity net gain of 10%. As part of evidence gathering for the new Local Plan, the Council will be considering the need for a higher percentage requirement.

10.  Has the council introduced a Green Space Factor to increase habitat in new developments?

No, however Local Plan policies require new development to make a positive contribution to biodiversity by creating or reinforcing habitat linkage between designated sites (LPP1 Policy NE2). The Climate Change and Sustainability SPD also sets out that applicants must demonstrate how the existing and new green infrastructure will link with the wider wildlife corridors in the area.

1.  Do the council's climate pages include information about behaviour changes that residents can make, and are they easy to find?

Residents can find useful tips for saving energy at home and keeping bills down by searching ‘saving energy’ on our website. Our ‘Home Advice: Saving Energy’ page also contains a link to the Energy Saving Trust.

2a.  Has the council published a Climate Action Plan with SMART targets?

Our Carbon Neutrality Action Plan is published on the ‘Climate change strategy and action plan’ page of our website and includes our key priorities and targets, along with the actions which will contribute towards our carbon neutrality target.

2b.  Has the council published an up to date and easy-to-read annual report on their Climate Action Plan?

Our Carbon Neutrality Action Plan is updated annually and published on our website.

3.  Has the council lobbied the government for climate action?

To be marked via a Freedom of Information enquiry.

In February 2024 Waverley raised concerns about the impact of the expansion of Gatwick Airport and in 2023 we opposed the extension of Farnborough Airport for reasons including the increased level of carbon emissions and poor air quality.

Waverley Borough Council is bringing legal action against an exploratory gas well in Dunsfold, Surrey. Dunsfold: Decision on gas drilling was inconsistent, court told - BBC News

Waverley also has councillor representatives on various outside bodies such as Farnborough Aerodrome Consultative Committee; Surrey Hills AONB Board; Thames Basin Heath Joint Strategic Partnership Board; Blackwater Valley Advisory Committee for Public Transport.

4.  Is the council working with external partners or other councils to seek to influence national governments on climate action, or to learn about and share best practice on council climate action?

Waverley Borough Council is a member of the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) and takes part in regular Surrey councils’ Climate Change Officers' meetings to learn about and share best practice on council climate action. We have also taken part in an interview for the Future Homes Hub, talking about engagement, education and sustainability at one of our council-owned housing developments.

5a. Does the council have an ongoing way for residents to influence the implementation of the council's Climate Action Plan?

Residents are able to provide feedback through an online form on our ‘Climate change strategy and action plan’ webpage, contact us via a dedicated Sustainability email address and will be able to comment through our Sustainability page on Commonplace. We also work with local climate action networks, such as What Next?, Zero Carbon Guildford and Action Surrey, to improve the implementation of our climate action plan.

5b.  Does the council's ongoing engagement with residents include those most affected by climate change and climate action policy?

The Waverley Housing Development hub on Commonplace provides residents with information on our affordable sustainable homes developments and a tool for residents to have their say. Through Action Surrey we also engage with households on lower incomes living in hard to heat homes to save money on their energy bills and improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

6.  Does the council provide funding for community climate action, for example through an environment fund or climate action fund?

Funds have not been made available to community climate action through a specific fund.

8.  Is the council working in partnership with cultural institutions and organisations to encourage decarbonisation within culture and arts locally?

We have completed work to reduce the carbon footprint of some of our community halls (Memorial Hall in Farnham), leisure centres and sporting venues (Woolmer Hill Pavilion, which is used by Haslemere Community Rugby Club) and are continuing to decarbonise other public venues, as detailed in our Carbon Neutrality Action Plan. We also support a diverse mix of cultural activities across Waverley, including artisan markets selling local produce and free walking heritage trails.

9.  Is the council working in partnership with schools or other education settings to deliver climate action that young people can engage with?

We host annual Climate Action Workshops for local school and sixth form students, which are delivered by What Next?, a local climate action group.

10.  Is the council working in partnership with local businesses to encourage decarbonisation?

Our Business Waverley website provides a range of support and advice on Sustainability for businesses, including advice on how to reduce carbon emissions, links to Decarbonisation support and funding for SMEs, a business decarbonisation course and a carbon calculator. Waverley has recently produced the Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 2024-32 (businesswaverley.co.uk).

11.  Has the council passed a motion to ban high carbon advertising and sponsorship?

This is to be marked using National Data. 

12.  Does the council have an ongoing way for employee representative bodies (including recognised trade unions) to influence the development and delivery of the council’s Climate Action Plan?

To be marked via a Freedom of Information enquiry.

We interview representatives of each service area annually to update the actions in our Carbon Neutrality Action Plan and hold regular meetings throughout the year to discuss progress on current projects and proposals for future projects. We also have a Climate Emergency Officers Group which meets quarterly, along with weekly council meetings where staff can share information across both Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils and comment on or ask questions about the initiatives presented. Sustainability and carbon reduction is embedded into all we do, as set out in our Climate Change & Sustainability Strategy.

1b.  Has the council encouraged the reduction of single use plastic at external events on council land, property or public spaces such as roads and parks?

We work with film and TV companies who are filming in Waverley to encourage the reduction of single use plastics. Our outdoor event application form also asks if plans and procedures are in place to deal with waste management and recycling.

We have a Sustainable Procurement Policy which refers to removing single-use plastics where there are suitable alternatives.

2.  Has the council taken steps to support a circular economy locally?

We support the Waverley Repair Cafes by promoting them on our website and the Godalming repair cafe is held at the Borough Hall. Our website has a Community Donations page with links to charities or organisations that can take unwanted furniture, white goods and other household items to be recycled or reused by those in the community. We also support Surrey Environment Partnership’s Zero Waste Map.

3.  Does the council support initiatives to redistribute surplus food?

This year we have supported local, not-for-profit organisations using the Household Support Fund, so that they can help clients who are struggling with the cost of living. We also have details of food banks and other organisations who can help on our website.

4a.  Does the council have a sustainable food strategy?

Our Climate Change and Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) sets out guidance on how development should be resilient and adapted to climate change, including making provision for food growing spaces. The accompanying Climate Change and Sustainability Checklist asks if provision for food growing spaces has been considered in the planning application submission.

4b.  Is the council part of a sustainable food partnership?

We are working in partnership with Community Orchard Project South East (COPSE) on a five-year project to plant a community orchard at Eashing Cemetery.

5.  Has the council taken steps to support local food growing?

We have previously provided a badge system for local (less than 30 miles) producers of food and produced a food map, as detailed in the ‘Completed Actions’ section of our Carbon Neutrality Action Plan. Waverley Borough Council owns one allotment in the borough. Others in the area are managed by the local Town or Parish Councils.

7.  Does the council provide weekly kerbside food waste recycling?

Yes, details can be found on the Rubbish and recycling collections section of our website.

8.  How high is the councils' area wide annual recycling rate?

This is to be marked using National Data. 

9.  How low is the councils' area wide level of household waste produced?

This is to be marked using National Data.