Kirkburton Parish Council
A Yorkshire parish council which used its local role to put environmental sustainability at the heart of community projects.
Taking environmental responsibility locally
This case study was originally highlighted as an example of a Parish Council using its powers to respond to environmental issues within its own community.
Kirkburton Parish Council took the view that environmental action did not have to wait for a larger authority.
The Council developed an Environment Plan designed to support the development of facilities and community life across the parish in environmentally sustainable ways.
The original case study also identified Kirkburton as the first local council to utilise new legislation contained in the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006.
The result was a practical programme which linked environmental objectives with projects that could also reduce energy consumption and running costs.
A large Yorkshire parish
Kirkburton Parish Council serves communities in the Kirklees area of West Yorkshire.
Like many Parish Councils, its work is focused on issues and projects that matter particularly to the communities within its own area.
In this case, one of those priorities became the environment and the sustainability of local community facilities.
Four areas of local environmental action
Kirkburton's Environment Plan covered a broad range of issues rather than focusing only on energy.
Biodiversity
Recognising and supporting the natural environment within the parish.
Heritage
Considering the local environment alongside the heritage and character of the area.
Climate change
Looking at ways local projects and facilities could reduce their environmental impact.
Appearance
Recognising that the quality and appearance of local surroundings also matter to residents.
Sustainable community life
The Environment Plan was about more than simply making a statement about climate change.
Its aim was to support the development of facilities and community life across the Parish Council area in environmentally sustainable ways.
That meant identifying practical projects where local investment could make a measurable difference.
Supporting renewable technology
One of the key elements of Kirkburton's Environment Plan was providing funding for renewable technology and energy-conservation measures in community buildings.
The intention was to help those buildings generate a greater proportion of the energy they used themselves through microgeneration.
Better energy efficiency could also mean lower energy consumption and reduced fuel bills for community organisations.
How the approach worked
The case study shows a straightforward route from identifying a local priority to supporting practical action.
The Parish Council recognised environmental sustainability as an issue where it wanted to take local action.
An Environment Plan set out the areas where the Council wanted to make progress.
The Council provided funds to support renewable and energy-saving improvements in community buildings.
Community facilities could then introduce technologies and measures designed to reduce energy consumption, emissions and costs.
Environmental and financial
The original case study identified several potential benefits from the programme.
Lower energy use
Energy-conservation measures could help community buildings reduce the amount of energy they needed.
Reduced emissions
Renewable generation and efficiency measures could reduce the carbon emissions associated with running community facilities.
Lower fuel bills
Using less energy and producing some energy locally could reduce running costs for community organisations.
Kirkburton's work was recognised
The Parish Council's environmental work received the Best Region Award at the British Renewable Energy Awards in 2008.
Three things we can learn from Kirkburton
The value of the case study is not the individual technology used. It is the way a local council approached a community priority.
A local council can set priorities
Kirkburton identified the environment as an area where local leadership could make a difference.
Funding can unlock community action
The Council did not have to undertake every project itself. It could help community organisations make improvements.
Local projects can have wider benefits
Environmental improvements could also reduce the costs of running community facilities.
An example, not a promise
A Windsor Town Council would not automatically run a programme like Kirkburton's.
The priorities of any future Windsor Town Council would be decided by the councillors elected by Windsor residents, taking account of its budget and legal powers.
Kirkburton is useful because it demonstrates something broader: a local council can identify a community priority, develop a plan and use its resources to help turn that plan into action.
This is a historical case study. The population figure of approximately 25,000, precept of £122,000 and project information come from the original case-study material used by the Windsor Town Council campaign and published by local-government organisations at the time. They should not be read as Kirkburton Parish Council's current population, budget or current programme of work.