Four years on, we met with Central Bedfordshire Council to discuss the Plan’s the impact and challenges faced, especially the difficult economic environment for local authorities following a decade of austerity.
We were delighted to learn that progress has been made in the following key areas:
Energy and carbon
- Community Energy Pathways Programme to support three new formally constituted community energy groups.
- Supporting 467 households to install roof-top solar arrays, including battery storage and home electric vehicle charging.
- The National Energy Foundation’s (NEF) ‘SuperHomes’ project is now running, made possible by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This innovative project aims to transform older homes into energy-efficient ‘SuperHomes’, significantly reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption.
Transport
- Adoption of five Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs).
- Publication of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy.
- Implementing innovative lower carbon asphalt for road resurfacing projects.
Nature and biodiversity
- Planting of 81,512 trees and 5.6km of hedgerow, seven new Tiny Forests, and a new Climate for Trees woodland.
- In March 2024, the milestone of a tree planted for every child in Central Bedfordshire was met.
Other actions
- Offering free retrofit construction courses to support the growth of green skills and jobs.
- Increasing the number of Green Flag Eco-Schools awards from one to 65 in four years.
- Rolling out Carbon Literacy training to five Town Councils. Over 270 staff and elected members have now been trained.
Reflection and feedback
The most heartening feedback was how vitally important the Sustainability Plan has become. It did not become a document that ‘sits on the shelf’, but rather was a critically important guide for driving action and investment.
A refreshed Plan was published in September 2024, co-developed by Council officers and councillors, to reflect progress and set new goals. This revision was structured under the same chapters as the original, and we are pleased to see this framework working in practice.
“The framework Useful Projects used to structure our original Sustainability Plan has been invaluable in guiding our actions over the past four years. It has proven so effective that we’ve decided to retain it for our updated Plan.”
– Stephen Mooring, Head of Sustainability
Given this Plan’s successful implementation and its role in the Council’s sustainability efforts, we believe the key ingredients for a successful Sustainability Plan or Strategy are:
A tailored, bespoke Strategy
While an off-the-shelf approach may seem quicker and cheaper, it rarely delivers long-term value. To make a real impact, a Strategy must genuinely reflect how an organisation operates and address their ‘material’ (significant) issues. A tailored framework, aligned with the organisation’s structure and pinpointing areas of greatest impact, is essential.
Co-creation with both external and internal perspectives
A key benefit of working with external consultants is their ability to co-create a Strategy that combines external insights with internal realities. Consultants bring valuable perspectives, drawing on best practices from other organisations, and can also build internal engagement. An outside-in approach elevates ambition with fresh ideas, while an inside-out approach ensures actions are practical and align with organisational operations.
A living, active plan
A well-developed Sustainability Plan should build internal capacity and serve as a dynamic tool that guides decision-making. It shouldn’t be filed away and forgotten. Its ambitions must integrate into workstreams, embedding the framework as a core component of daily activities across the organisation.
Delivering impact
The success of Central Bedfordshire’s Sustainability Plan, from its initial implementation to recent update, showcases the benefits of our approach. By creating a lasting framework and upskilling the Council’s team, we’ve shown the value of working with expert consultants. This blend of strategic insight, internal engagement, and capacity building highlights our commitment to delivering impactful, high-quality work.
As we continue to support clients on their sustainability journey, we encourage organisations to consider the power of external expertise in achieving ambitious and lasting sustainability outcomes.
Looking to embark on a similar path? Now is the time to take action. Get in touch today to explore how we can help elevate your sustainability goals.
