Our Action Plan
Supporting the environment and reducing our carbon footprint helps our residents to live longer and healthier lives. Critically those who are more disadvantaged are often the people who suffer the effects of climate change most acutely.
Poor environmental health contributes to major diseases, including cardiac problems, asthma and cancer, as well as reducing people’s general well-being. That is why our climate change work is also closely linked with our public health work.
Climate change is an integral part of our Bexley Plan 2022 - 2026 which sets out our priorities and ambitions for the years ahead. By doing this we ensure that climate change issues are always at the very heart of our policymaking.
This Action Plan was last updated on 17 June 2025.
Part 1: Reducing emissions within our organisation’s direct control
These emissions are within the ability of the Council to control and for which we can take responsibility to reduce. We have not quantified the anticipated impact of this plan because these activities are foundation activities that are key to accelerating delivery later. An approach to measuring impact is in development.
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead officer |
|---|---|---|
| Increase use of green/renewable energy sources to power the council owned estate (including identifying the highest ten sites for emissions and a programme to reduce those emissions). | Carbon reduction | Head of Facilities Management, Capital and Major Projects |
| When letting council owned non-residential property, the property is compliant with the Government's Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. | Carbon reduction | Head of Facilities Management, Capital and Major Projects |
| Install priority site Automated Meter Readers (AMR) to improve the energy efficiency of the estate. | Carbon reduction | Head of Facilities Management, Capital and Major Projects |
| As part of modernisation work to Council properties, explore cost effective options that could improve the energy efficiency of properties (using the recent conditions survey of properties, external funding where possible and long term capital programme). | Carbon reduction | Head of Facilities Management, Capital and Major Projects |
| Pilot energy management devices in Council buildings. | Carbon reduction | Head of Facilities Management, Capital and Major Projects |
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Tackle illegal depositing of waste in accordance with Bexley’s zero-tolerance policy for littering, fly-tipping and other environmental offences. | Waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
| Encourage the reduction and reuse of waste items that the London Borough of Bexley produces. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 6’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail.) | Waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
| Reduce single use plastic bottles. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 4’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail.) | Waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
| Waste and recycling in London Borough of Bexley’s Parks and Open Spaces. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 24 of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail.) | Waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
| All council vehicles below 3.5 tonnes meet Euro 4 (NOx) standard if petrol driven and Euro 6 (NOx) standard if diesel driven All Council vehicles over 3.5 tonnes meet Euro VI (NOx and PM) | Reduce air pollution Carbon reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
| Encouraging the circular economy in local businesses. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 9’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail.) | Waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
| Increase the number of reuses and loans of specialist equipment and adaptations by Bexley Integrated Community Equipment Service for both Adults and Children’s Social Services. | Waste reduction | Head of Integrated Commissioning LD & PD Peripatetic Head of Families and Child Protection Services, Children with Disabilities, Referral & Assessment Service, Staying Together, Early Help & Children’s Centres |
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Continue to develop and use our Carbon Offset Fund to fund carbon offsetting projects that aim to deliver tangible carbon savings. | Carbon reduction | Head of Development Management |
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Uphold green standards at Eltham Crematorium Eltham’s cremators are 100% CO2 abated and programmed routine maintenance ensures optimum efficiency. | Carbon reduction | Director of Place |
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
Encourage greener travel for staff:
| Carbon reduction and Improved air quality | Deputy Director, HR Customer Services, and Digital |
| Consider the use of lower carbon or recycled highways materials. These processes are far less resource-intensive and require less energy to produce. | Waste reduction Carbon reduction | Head of Highways, Traffic & Infrastructure |
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Increase green awareness amongst staff by using Council communications. | Carbon reduction | Head of Communications and Marketing |
| Piloting climate change impact assessment as part of decision-making process. | Carbon reduction | Head of Democratic Services & Information Governance |
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Review our Social Value Policy to include use of green/sustainability as an assessment criterion in the Council’s procurement process and raise skill level of officers in green procurement. | Carbon reduction | Head of Procurement |
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Drains in most urban areas were built many years ago and were not designed to cope with increased rainfall. Within improvements to the public realm, we will reduce storm water run-off and pressure on storm water sewers by using permeable surfacing and/or sustainable drainage systems where suitable. | Reduced flooding | Head of Highways, Traffic & Infrastructure |
| Investigate the use of sustainable management of water resources through rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling within Council-owned buildings. | Improved recycling | Head of Facilities Management, Capital and Major Projects |
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Prior to tendering grounds maintenance contracts, seek to reduce fossil fuel and chemical/pesticide usage and impact on biodiversity where it is cost-effective. | Carbon reduction | Head of Leisure, Parks and Open Space |
| Create new habitat to encourage new species. | Carbon reduction | Head of Leisure, Parks and Open Space |
| Create more sustainable planting schemes (e.g. use plants that will attract wildlife, have a longer life span and require less water, energy, and tendering. | Carbon reduction | Head of Leisure, Parks and Open Space |
| Maintain and seek additional funds to retain and increase tree cover in parks, public land, and highways. | Carbon reduction Reduced rain run off | Head of Leisure, Parks and Open Space |
| For future new projects in parks and green spaces, use best practice to assess any climate change impacts and to consider appropriate mitigation options where feasible. | Carbon reduction Reduced rain run off | Head of Leisure, Parks and Open Space |
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt an ethical investment strategy. The Bexley Pension Fund has appointed an investment consultant to help achieve its sustainability ambitions and to focus on climate risk management. | Carbon reduction | Director of Finance and Corporate Services |
Part 2: Influencing others to reduce emissions that are not within our direct control
Those emissions that the Council does not directly control but can seek to encourage or influence others to reduce. We have not quantified the anticipated impact of this plan because these activities are foundation activities that are key to accelerating delivery later. An approach to measuring impact is in development.
Commitment 1 - Celebrate, Promote and Protect our Natural Environment
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
Apply policies within Bexley’s Development Plan including the Review and adoption of our new Local Plan, which sets out a vision and a framework for future development. Our Local Plan includes:
Apply Development Plan to planning applications. Monitor Development Plan (the monitoring can gather evidence for future policy, and support development management decisions). | Improve air quality Reduce flooding Carbon reduction | Head of Strategic Development |
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
Encourage improvements to air quality through:
| Reduction in traffic congestion Carbon reduction Improved air quality | Head of Regulatory Services |
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Apply the NPPF Sequential Test at all stages of planning where appropriate. The sequential test compares the site proposed to be developed with other available sites to find out which has the lowest flood risk. Where possible, new development will be steered towards sites with the lowest probability of flooding. | Reduced flooding | Head of Strategic Planning Head of Development Management |
| Apply the NPPF Exception Test to determine relevant applications for development. If the sequential test shows that it is not possible to use an alternative site, another test called the exception test could be required. The exception test will show how the development will manage the flood risk and that it will not increase flood risk elsewhere (as well as other factors). | Reduced flooding | Head of Strategic Planning Head of Development Management |
Commitment 2 - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Reduce the rate of growth of municipal waste. | Waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
Recycling engagement actions. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 18’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail.) | Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
Reduce the quantity of textiles being disposed of in the borough. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 1’ of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Carbon reduction Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
| Reduce the level of contamination in the recycling material. | Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
| Investigate the options for the pre-treatment of residual waste to reduce its biological content and therefore emissions generated from the decomposition of organic waste. | Carbon reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
Encouraging the circular economy in local businesses. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 9’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
Championing food waste reduction initiatives. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 2’ of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Waste reduction Food waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
| Provide free vouchers for eligible families to buy fruit, vegetables and milk via the Healthy Start Programme. Families may also be able to claim free vitamins. | Waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
Encourage home composting to reduce food and garden waste being placed in residual waste. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 3’ of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Waste reduction Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
Reduce the amount of household items being disposed of in the Borough that could have been repaired/reused. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 5’ of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail.) | Waste reduction Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
Absorbent Hygiene Products. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 7’ of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Carbon reduction Waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
Increase Recycling on site. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 34’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Waste reduction Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
| Increase the capacity of recycling kerbside containers. | Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
| Change the food boxes in the food waste recycling service to a larger capacity fox resistant type, as well as providing a food waste leaflet with all new food boxes. | Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
Food and Recycling Service (including the weekly food waste collection service). (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 14’’ of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Improved recycling Waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
Garden Waste Recycling. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 15’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Improved recycling Waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
Flats/HMO Recycling. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 17’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Improved recycling Waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
| Work with the Planning service to include waste management as a key consideration for all new plans and for large new developments to consider underground banks. | Improved recycling Waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
| The Engine House to provide adequate recycling facilities for businesses working from their building and to advise businesses where they can get recyclable products. | Waste reduction Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
Business recycling services. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 19’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Waste reduction Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
| Replace boxes with wheeled bins that do not need to be emptied as frequently and have more capacity. | Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
Litter Picking. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 25’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Improve the environment Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
| Supporting Keep Britain Tidy campaign “The Great British Spring Clean” week (22 March – 6 April). | Improve the environment Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
On Street recycling. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 29’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Improve air quality Improve recycling Carbon reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
Reduce single use plastic bottles. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 4’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Waste reduction Carbon reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
Commitment 3 – Send no waste to landfill
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Send zero municipal waste to landfill | Carbon reduction Waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
Commitment 4 - Enabling a greener economy
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Host business support events in partnership with external funders. | Carbon reduction in the business sector | Head of Economic Development and Skills |
| To allocate 125 Climate Essentials memberships to support SMEs to access a dynamic energy measurement platform, with 12 months’ free access to measure and track carbon and cost reductions. | Carbon reduction in the business sector | Head of Economic Development and Skills |
| LSEC to establish a new green skills hub (£1.2m investment) at Holly Hill campus in March 2025. New classroom will be fitted out to enable practical skills training for residents in air heat pump, EV charge points and solar panel installation. This is hoped to act as a catalyst to attract new businesses in these sectors with a home grown skills base. | Carbon reduction within construction processes Reduced waste | Head of Economic Development and Skills |
| Leverage new external funding opportunities such as UKSPF to help residents acquire new skills and retrain into good jobs with strong green credentials. | Carbon reduction Improved environment | Head of Economic Development and Skills |
| Leverage new external funding opportunities such as UKSPF to help local businesses optimise digital functionality and encourage adoption of carbon reducing measures in delivery of their business. | Carbon reduction in the business sector | Head of Economic Development and Skills |
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Encourage electric vehicle use amongst the public by rolling out an installation programme of public electric charging points in town centres, car parks and residential streets. | Carbon reduction Improved air quality | Head of Highways, Traffic & Infrastructure |
| Working closely with the taxi and private hire trade on the use and possible locations of hub-based rapid charging points. A programme to introduce slower, on-street charging points, located nearer to where people live is being developed. | Carbon reduction Improved air quality | Head of Highways, Traffic & Infrastructure |
| Apply policies in Bexley’s Development Plan including the Review and adoption of our new Local Plan (which sets out a vision and a framework for future development), including encouraging new developers to provide facilities for walking, cycling, public transport and shared mobility/car clubs (DP22). | Carbon reduction Improved air quality | Head of Strategic Development |
| Apply the Development Plan to planning applications. | Carbon reduction | Head of Strategic Development |
| Monitor the Development Plan. The monitoring can gather evidence for future policy, and support development management decisions. | Carbon reduction | Head of Strategic Development |
As set out in our Local Implementation Plan (LIP) to:
| Carbon reduction Improved air quality Healthier population | Head of Strategic Development |
| Travel planning for new developments – support to schools to develop and update travel plans including a range of initiatives to encourage more sustainable modes of travel. | Carbon reduction Reduction in traffic congestion | Head of Strategic Development |
Commitment 5 - Empower our residents, businesses and partners to make positive changes
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the Sports England funded project to reduce heat loss and use less energy at our 3 leisure centres (pool covers for swimming pools and LED lighting). | Carbon reduction | Head of Leisure, Parks and Open Space |
| Working with Leisure PPP partners, continue to identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption and operating costs. | Carbon reduction | Head of Leisure, Parks and Open Space |
Offer energy cafes. At our new weekly energy café at the Central Library, trained advisors will:
| Greater awareness Carbon reduction | Head of Libraries and Communities |
| Work with Cory Riverside Energy to encourage the use of the heat produced at the Belvedere Riverside Resource Recovery Ltd in a local district heating initiative or by a local business. | Carbon reduction | Head of Highways, Traffic and Infrastructure |
| To make best use of Government funding schemes for improving energy efficiency of existing buildings and addressing fuel poverty. | Reduction of fuel poverty Carbon reduction | Director of Place |
| Increase awareness of climate change amongst residents and local businesses. | Greater awareness Carbon reduction Waste reduction | Head of Communications and Marketing |
Waste reduction engagement activities. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 8’ of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Waste reduction Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
| The London South-East Children’s University runs eco-friendly and practical workshops for families alongside Bexley’s School Waste Action Club. These are normally run during the school holidays for children aged 5-14 years who are engaged with the Children’s University scheme in Bexley. Children are given the skills and confidence to upcycle old clothes and learn how to reduce food waste by turning leftovers into healthy meals. | Waste reduction Improved recycling | Head of Strategic Partnership & Improvement |
Championing food waste reduction initiatives. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 2’ of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Food waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
| To promote food waste reduction by providing a measuring tool to help with portion sizes and leaflets and recipe cards at events. | Food waste reduction | Head of Environmental Services |
| In partnership with BVSC, to use funding by the GLA to establish a food network across the borough on food sustainability and fair access to food. | Carbon reduction Healthier population | Head of Strategy & Performance |
| Participation in the Good Food Local: the London report survey run by Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming, to develop recommendations to tackle food poverty. | Carbon reduction Healthier population | Head of Strategy & Performance |
Reduce the quantity of textiles being disposed of in the Borough. (Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 1’ of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail). | Waste reduction Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
| Promote Bexley Green Points, a scheme that rewards residents for reducing what they throw away to encourage more recycling. | Improved recycling | Head of Environmental Services |
| We will continue to alert residents to the requirement to provide direct drainage to frontages when seeking to convert for vehicle parking. | Raised awareness Reduce water run off Improved environment | Head of Highways, Traffic & Infrastructure |
| Implement the three year South East London Green Plan 2022-2025 for the South East London Integrated Care System (ICS). | Carbon reduction Healthier population | Bexley Place Executive Lead |
| The Bexley Local Care Partnership is developing a programme to reduce health inequalities by encouraging more exercise and reduction of obesity, which by promoting active travel (such as people choosing to walk and cycle as part of everyday life), will also help to tackle climate change by a reduction in car travel. | Carbon reduction Improved air quality Healthier population | Director of Adult Social Care and Health |
| Using Cory’s Community Fund to support activities and projects that: Protect the local environment and support the circular economy. Build knowledge and awareness of the circular economy, recycling and waste management. Enhance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics skills. Impacts local people in the community in other meaningful ways. | Protect the environment Waste reduction Improved recycling | Director of Place |
Commitment 6 - To keep an open mind and to go further when we can
| Action | Purpose of action | Lead Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Review the commitments and action plan regularly. | Carbon reduction | Head of Strategy & Performance |
| To seek to reduce emissions and use toolkits and best practice to do so. | Carbon reduction | Head of Strategy & Performance Deputy Director Finance and Property |
| Piloting new digital engagement platform (Go Vocal) to talk to residents, particularly those likely to most affected by climate change, about the impact of climate change. | Carbon reduction | Head of Strategy & Performance |