Main themes and our response
The following themes were identified throughout the consultation of both the adult and youth survey, written responses, and social media comments.
The themes in the table below are common areas of action and actions of greatest concerns to respondents. These themes have a summary of the feedback given and the council’s response and any additional actions taken within the final draft of the strategy.
any additional actions taken within the final draft of the strategy.
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Theme |
Summary of Feedback |
Council Response Including Change to the Climate Change Strategy |
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Education and Engagement |
More information of the challenges we face |
Existing Action - Publish topic paper on climate change and the scientific evidence behind climate change on the Council website |
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Advise on how to help mitigate climate change including with translations |
Existing action - Develop an online ‘Climate Change Handbook’. A collection of information for sustainability, detailing organisations and local businesses who can support climate change initiatives, recycling, and decarbonisation initiatives |
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Community events and increased support |
New action - Draft and publish Climate Change Engagement Strategy with specific actions relating to community events, support and advice |
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Existing Action - Coordinate and enable community-based and online events, campaigns, and training opportunities on a number of topics relating to climate change. |
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Existing Action - Work with partners such as Inspire Youth Zone and the Schools to develop a programme of learning for young people on climate change |
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New Action – Collaborate with local universities for increased research an education within the borough. |
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Transport |
Provision of Electric Vehicle Charging Points within the borough |
Existing Action - Produce a feasibility study of the installation of EV charging points |
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New Action - Develop and publish an EV Infrastructure Strategy to include specific actions relating to EV charging and relevant policies |
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Increase accessibility of public transport including buses and trains |
Existing Action - Deliver the recommendations of the Sustainable Public Transport Overview and Scrutiny Task Group. |
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Increase the provision of walking and cycling within the borough |
Existing Action - Produce an Infrastructure Delivery Plan which includes new schemes for cycling, walking and improved public transport |
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New Action - Increase cycle storage within the town centre and Astley park |
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New action- undertake a survey about Cycling in Chorley to inform future investment |
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Existing Action - Working with the Canal and Rivers Trust develop a programme of potential investment in the network in Chorley |
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Additional actions relating to transport include |
Existing Action - Develop a plan to progress the councils conversion to electric vehicles |
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Existing Action - Investigate the feasibility and business case for the council to establish a service to offer HVO fuel for residents to use in own private vehicles, include safety, financial, legal and demand |
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Recycling and Waste
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Improvement of waste and recycling for residential properties and in public spaces |
Existing action – draft and publish a Waste and Recycling Strategy |
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Keep cup and podback scheme |
New Action - investigate feasibility and potential uptake of reuse schemes including keep cup and podback |
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The Natural Environment, Green Spaces and Tree Planting
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Ensure the protection of wildlife and green belt |
Existing Action - Develop & adopt Local Plan policies for climate change including flood risk & sustainable drainage, biodiversity net gain, green and blue infrastructure, open space, clean energy, and sustainable transport. |
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Plant more trees |
Existing action – plant 116,875 trees, one for every resident by 2025. |
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New Action - Tree giveaways twice a year for residents to plant their own trees until 2025 |
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Existing Action - Deliver a comprehensive system to record the baseline of canopy tree cover and spatial distribution of the ongoing planting |
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Additional avenues of work stemming from consultation responses |
Renewable energy sources |
New Action – Investigate the feasibility of large scale renewable energy installation programs to home owners for potential discounts and support to homeowners |
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Carbon emissions within the borough and by the council |
Existing action - Undertake an annual carbon footprint audit of the council and report progress |
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Continue engagement with youth residents |
Existing Action - Work with partners such as Inspire Youth Zone and the Schools to develop a programme of learning for young people on climate change |
The table below illustrates common themes raised throughout both the adult and youth survey, written responses, and social media comments. These themes have a summary of the feedback given and the council’s response and any additional actions taken within the final draft of the strategy.
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Theme |
Summary of Feedback |
Council Response Including Change to the Climate Change Strategy |
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Financial Cost |
Concerns regarding the cost surrounding the completion of the programme |
The council is committed to addressing climate change and has already committed £750,000 and dedicated staffing for the programme. Further collaboration will be made as and when required. |
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The science behind climate change |
Comments regarding the differences of opinions as the presence and effects of climate change |
Climate Change is a complex and technical issue. The council will deliver a Climate Change Engagement Strategy which will use a variety of methods to make information about changes to the planet, our environment and in biodiversity (and what this means for us) available to everyone in a format which is easy to understand. It is important that simple messages about the facts of climate change are shared to raise awareness and ‘myth bust’ common misconceptions. |
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Development in the borough |
Concerns regarding the development and building of residential properties within the borough |
The council recognises local concerns about the level of development in the borough. A new local plan is being prepared and future development will be planned, taking full account of impact on the environment and climate change. |