At Colchester Borough Homes we recognise that good environmental management must be an integral part of our operations and activities. We also need to ensure that our approach is in line with Colchester City Council’s strategic plans.

To achieve this, we outline our commitments to providing services that align to Colchester City Council’s (CCC) Climate Emergency Action Plan (2024-2027)

The Action Plan is split into 8 themes to categorise the different projects and actions they are working on. These themes are:

1. Reduce emissions from their buildings and fleet
2. Produce and use renewable energy
3. Enhance biodiversity and protect the natural environment
4. Supporting active travel and improving air quality
5. Provide sustainable waste management and support residents to reduce, reuse and recycle
6. Working with others to take environmental action
7. Sustainable planning, economy and energy efficient homes
8. Changing the way they work
   
   

CCC set and monitor our performance relating to themes 1, 2 and 7 which are key areas that Colchester Borough Homes directly impact on, which in turn help CCC meet the expectations set in the Action Plan. In addition, we support theme 5 by our residents creating areas for recycles (Metal bin stores) for resident’s waste from our blocks. These are in line with our commitments
set through our set carbon reduction targets outlined in our Asset Management Strategy.

Some of the detailed work CBH undertakes to support the action plan are funded through both the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and our separate Retrofit Budget, these are noted as follows:

• Improvement in our housing stock energy efficiency ratings with a plan to ensure all properties meet band C or above by 2030 through completing works such as:
  • Targeted energy retrofit programmes to properties with an EPC below ‘C’
  • Consequential improvements resulting from the Planned replacement of Heating Systems etc.
  • Installation of Cavity Wall insulation
  • Improving loft insulation levels
  • Replacement of single glazed windows with double glazed
• Replacement of communal heating and hot water systems with the inclusion of photovoltaic (solar powered) panels.
  
  

To ensure we remain aligned to CCC’s Action Plan, we will continue to engage and support them through:

• Remaining on target to meet our set objectives relating to energy efficiency ratings and budget commitments.
• Support any amendments or changes CCC make to the plan with a commitment to meet future initiatives or actions that are developed.
• Support CCC with actively promoting the achievements made through the improvements completed to our housing stock.

Signature: Philip Sullivan, CEO Date: 12 February 2025
Signature: Esme Cole, Chair of Board Date: 12 February 2025

PDF Available Here