Williamson Park Decarbonisation Scheme

• 13.02.2026 - The works will modernise ageing infrastructure, reduce carbon emissions, and make the park and its facilities more efficient, accessible and resilient.This investment, for which most of the funding will be coming from Phase 3 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), will play a crucial role in helping Lancaster City Council meet its target of achieving net‑zero carbon emissions from its own operations by 2030, while supporting the wider district’s transition to net zero by 2050.

Public spaces and buildings

• 26.02.2026 - The extra funding included in the 2026/27 budget will support additional staffing, fleet requirements, equipment and operational costs. This will help improve the frequency and responsiveness of services such as grass cutting, street cleaning and general maintenance across the district.

Council's buildings including Salt Ayre Centre

• 21.05.2025 - Some of the UK’s most energy-efficient homes have now been completed in Lancaster as part of an independent living scheme at Alder Grove

• 23.10.2024 - On Tuesday (October 22) the council’s cabinet approved a Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP), which sets out a long-term vision for decarbonising the district by 2040 and looks beyond the council’s own 2030 target for its direct activities. 

• 15.07.2024 - Delighted to see our project to  decarbonise Salt Ayre Leisure Centre featured in this new video, skip to 28:16.

• 22.03.2024 - Following the success of £1.9 million in external funding, Williamson Park, The Storey and City Lab will benefit from heat decarbonisation and improved energy efficiency works that are expected to annually save over 250 tonnes of CO2e, equivalent to removing gas from 110 homes.

• 04.03.2022 - Reducing the carbon footprint of the council's buildings Lancaster City Council is to spend around £1million on improving the energy efficiency of its buildings as part of ambitious plans to make its services net zero carbon by 2030. Building improvement works will help cut CO2 emissions.  

• 15.09.2021 - Lancaster City Council has been awarded up to £150,000 to find creative and innovative solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of its buildings.  

• 23.07.2021 - Salt Ayre Leisure Centre is the biggest emitter of CO2 of all the council’s buildings.  A plan to decarbonise the building is well underway and will eliminate direct emissions, reducing the centre’s overall carbon footprint by as much as 642 tonnes (the equivalent of heating 600 homes).  We’re achieving this by the installation of an air source heat pump, glazing, and the building of a new solar farm on the former Salt Ayre landfill site.  

• Salt Ayre Leisure Centre has installed two new bike racks at the front of the building, after customer feedback requested more.  The new racks will join an existing set in the same design, which were replaced as part of building maintenance which took place during the pandemic-related lock downs.  The introduction of more bike storage facilities aims to encourage even more of Salt Ayre’s customers to cycle to the facility rather than drive, aligned with the council’s Carbon Zero 2030 pledge.

• 28.06.2021 - Salt Ayre decarbonisation project gets underway - Work has begun on a multi-million pound project that will eliminate onsite CO2 emissions generated by Salt Ayre Leisure Centre in an ambitious bid to be one of the first such facilities in the UK to be net carbon zero.

• This week, (April 2021) Lancaster City Council was successful in gaining planning permission for a new project that will significantly reduce CO2 emissions generated by Salt Ayre Leisure Centre.  Permission has been granted to build a new solar farm on the adjacent disused landfill site and Salt Ayre's gas boilers will also be replaced by air source heat pumps. Funding for the £6.8 million scheme has come from the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which provides funding for capital energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation projects.  The scheme will reduce emissions by 439 tonnes a year, which is the equivalent of heating 406 homes across the district, and we're aiming to deliver it by the end of September this year.

• Salt Ayre Leisure Centre Moves To Cut Plastic Waste (April 2021) - Customers and staff at Salt Ayre are doing their bit for the Carbon Zero+ cause, with the introduction of a new free water dispenser, which aims to encourage the use of refillable water bottles rather than single use plastic. 

• 11.03.2021 - Solar Farm - reduce CO2 emissions generated by Salt Ayre Leisure Centre - Lancaster City Council has successfully secured £6.8m to significantly reduce CO2 emissions generated by Salt Ayre Leisure Centre.  The funding has come from the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which was launched in autumn 2020 and offers funding for capital energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation projects.  The money will be used to build a solar farm on the adjacent disused landfill site at Salt Ayre to generate electricity, which in turn will be provided to the leisure centre using a direct wire. 

Council Housing Stock

• 14.06.2022 - We have a duty to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (Home Energy Conservation Act 1995) and to report to the Secretary of State issues relating to energy efficiency and conservation in its administrative area.  The HECA report (May 2021) sets out energy conservation measures that the council considers practicable, cost-effective and likely to result in significant improvement in the energy efficiency of residential accommodation in its area.  

• 27.02.2022 - Lancaster City Council is helping its tenants tackle rising energy costs and climate change by improving the energy efficiency of its homes with a whole house improvement programme.  The refurbishment and retrofitting of 150 council homes in the most urgent need of improvement is scheduled to take four years to complete. 

• 22.06.2021 - The homes strategy sets out a commitment that the council will bring all existing council properties up to EPC C rating by 2030. 

• 22.06.2021 - If you are a new tenant, we will contact you when you first move in to offer energy advice. 

• 22.06.2021 - The Green Homes Grant scheme seeks to improve the energy efficiency of homes.  

• 11.03.2021 - Installation of solar panels on the roofs of housing schemes at Morley Close/Price Close.

Passivhaus Homes in the district

• 25.07.2023 - The council has been delighted to provide direct support to 20 new build energy saving ‘Passivhaus’ Homes in Halton, ‘fit for the 21st century'.

Retrofitting 

• 08.09.2023  /  16.09.2023 - We’re pleased to be working in partnership with local energy saving experts Green Rose Community Interest Company to deliver two energy saving workshops to help residents reduce their energy bills this winter.  

• 16.02.2026 -Lancaster’s iconic Lune Millennium Bridge is turning 25 today - Improvements are also underway around the bridge, thanks to funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), including new lighting, cleaning the river bed from debris, weeding and vegetation trimming and seating improvements to create a more welcoming entrance into the city centre from the well‑used quayside cycle path, encourage active travel, and help residents and visitors discover the area’s rich and sometimes overlooked heritage

• 15.01.2024 - Extra vehicles are now available for public rental over the festive season, whether you're visiting loved ones, running errands, or simply getting out and about.   Where to find them: Upper St Leonardsgate Car Park and Morecambe Town Hall.  Book your car today and make your Christmas journeys smoother than ever: https://www.hiyacar.co.uk/lancaster

• 03.10.2023 - Want to get involved and share your ideas on how your local cycling and walking networks could be improved.  

• 26.05.2023 - Council asks for views on how to improve active travel and reduce emissions

• 10.02.2023 -Great to see our partnership with Co-Wheels announced as finalists in the iNetwork Awards in not one but two categories. The iNetwork Innovation Awards cast a light on projects and teams that have delivered transformation and excellence in public service delivery.  Our Co-Wheels car scheme has been nominated in the Transforming And Innovating Public Services and Partner Excellence categories.

• 09.02.2023 - The Council wins government £54,576 funding to encourage take up of electric taxis through behaviour and awareness campaign and a discounted leasing scheme. Development of local taxi policy which will support the uptake of electric vehicles. 

• 06.01.2023 - Co Wheels car club welcomes new vehicles and more locations, for people to make the switch to using more sustainable modes of transport and help to reduce air pollution

• 10.11.2022 - We're thrilled that our car share partnership with Co-Wheels has made the list of the top 50 initiatives helping the UK to reach Net Zero.  

• Lancashire’s first electric bin wagon takes to the road, A 27-tonne electric bin wagon has hit the streets of the Lancaster District.  

• 28.05.2021 - Co-Wheels launch fully electric car club in the Lancaster district - We've teamed up with Co-Wheels Car Club to launch an all-electric car share club in the Lancaster district.  It's part of our ambitious plans to become net zero carbon by 2030.  Fully electric vehicles will be available to hire in Lancaster city centre and Morecambe town centre (close to the promenade) from as little as £5.50 an hour.  

• 05.03.2021 - Our conversion to an electric fleet is progressing - The diesel fleet accounts for 39% of the council’s direct emissions; 60% of fleet emissions are generated from just 26 refuse collection vehicles. Clearly, if we’re to achieve Net Zero by 2030, we have to reduce our fleet’s footprint as a priority. As part of our fleet replacement plan we've purchased 14 electric vans for our repairs and maintenance department.  

• 20.12.2019 - The Council has just licensed its first electric private hire vehicle, which just so happens to be one of the most sought after and prestigious cars on the market today – a Model 3 Tesla.  

• 12.02.2019 - £630K boost for electric taxis  - Lancaster City Council is delighted to have been successful in a funding bid for the installation of new electric charge points for taxis. 

• 12.12.2025 - The finalists for the Inspire Awards 2025, across 10 categories, have been announced and Lancaster City Council with  Lancaster University have been shortlisted for the Strategic Visions: Placemaking (Local Plan) with Young Adults Award.  The winners will be announced at an event in London on 15 January 2026: IFGA25 — Thornton Education Trust
• 20.06.2025 -  Lancaster City Council scooped the award for leadership in responding to the climate emergency at the annual MJ Awards on Friday, which recognises success in local government and outstanding work and commitment to local communities
• 06.08.2024 - We've been out and about talking to people as part of our consultation on a new Local Plan which will include policies on climate.

• 30.06.2024 - Congratulations to colleagues in the Planning and Climate Change team for their success at this year’s Local Government Chronicle Awards. On Wednesday evening they picked up the top award in the Net Zero category for their work on the Climate Emergency Local Plan Review, as featured with Kevin McCloud on Channel 4's 'The Great Climate Fight'.23.11.2023: Council’s climate change work highlighted by Channel 4, Aired on Wednesday evening (November 22), The Great Climate Fight followed Kevin in his quest to examine the opportunities and barriers we face in reaching net zero.

• 02.06.2024 - The Planning and Climate Change team have been shortlisted for the MJ 2024 Awards in the category 'Leadership in Responding to Climate Change'.  The winners announced 21 June 2024.

• 25.07.2024 - A vision for how the Lancaster district should look in the 2040s is the subject of a new consultation and series of drop-in events. Earlier this year we started work on a new Local Plan, which will set out opportunities for the housing, jobs and infrastructure that are needed by a growing population. An online survey has been set up to capture people’s views: www.lancaster.gov.uk/local-plan-review.

• 23.11.2023 - A Channel 4 programme that explores what we need to do as a society to eliminate our carbon emissions sees Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud highlighting Lancaster City Council’s work to improve environmental standards in housebuilding.

• 28.06.2023 - We consulted on the proposal for Burrow Beck Solar Farm prior to pre-application

• 01.03.2023 - Working on planning policies which will see people paying less to heat their new build homes.  

• 23.02.2023 - Planning policies to help protect properties in the district. 

• 09.11.2022 - Wonderful to see the work by our planning team on Eden Project North and tackling the climate emergency being recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute in their digital series. The series explores the intrinsic role of planning in tackling climate change and paving the way to a sustainable future.  

• 22.08.2022 - Rapidar Radar monitoring stations have been installed this week on the Stone Jetty in Morecambe and close to the shore near to the Venus and Cupid at Scalestones Point. 

• 15.05.2024 - Excellent news - Morecambe's two bathing beaches have today been awarded Seaside Awards by Keep Britain Tidy!

• 12.02.2024 - Interested in helping to design nature-based solutions to help manage the effects of climate change in Silverdale? If the answer's 'yes', we'd love to see you on Wednesday 28th February in Gaskell Hall from 6pm-8pm, when a special design committee is due to meet.

• 21.02.2024 - Don't forget to let us know by 12pm on Monday (26th February) if you'd like to attend the first meeting of a special design committee to help manage the effects of climate change in Silverdale.

• 10.09.2023 - The first meeting of a special design committee to look at developing nature-based solutions to combat flooding along the coastline at Hest Bank will take place on Tuesday 17th October from 6pm-8pm. 

• 22.08.2023 - Come and find out today about plans to safeguard coastal communities from climate change. Our Future Coast event is taking place until 7pm at Slyne-with-Hest Memorial Hall. It is one of 25 projects to receive funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to help local areas become more resilient to flooding and erosion. 

• 14.08.2023 - Our Future Coast, a project where we are engaging with the community to codesign nature based solutions to promote salt marsh regeneration. Salt marsh is such a valuable ecosystem in many ways, apart from being a unique habitat for many rare species of flora and fauna it also provides a fantastic natural flood defence, as well as a significant carbon sink. As part of the project we will also be looking at sediment monitoring methods, biodiversity, and carbon storage. Find out more at www.lancaster.gov.uk/ofc / A drop-in event so people can find out more about plans to safeguard coastal communities from climate change is being held on Tuesday August 22 at Slyne-with-Hest Memorial Hall from 12pm-7pm

• 11.08.2023 - A drop-in event so people can find out more about plans to safeguard coastal communities from climate change is being held on Tuesday August 22 at Slyne-with-Hest Memorial Hall from 12pm-7pm.  

• 01.10.2021 - A major flood risk management scheme on the River Lune, designed to protect hundreds of properties from the risk of flooding, has launched today.

• 23.10.2025 - Families built and decorated the boxes, got stuck into drawing and colouring, tackled a bat quiz, and heard fascinating bat facts. And, a highlight moment for most was meeting rescued common pipistrelles, brought by licensed bat carer Gail Armstrong.

• 22.10.2025 - We're delighted to have officially pledged our support to become a Butterfly-Friendly district. Working with national charity Butterfly Conservation, we've committed to five goals in the next three years.

• 15.07.2025 - Flags will once again proudly fly over many of Lancaster City Council’s parks and public spaces after they retained coveted national recognition for their outstanding standards

• 15.05.2025 - Two beaches in Morecambe have once again scooped a prestigious award for their cleanliness. Morecambe North and South were today handed the Seaside Award 

• 14.11.2024 - Due to the amazing turn out, we have finished planting at Uggle Lane! And so, we are moving onto the next location RYELANDS PARK.

• 03.11.2024 - Find out more about the bulb planting in Uggle Lane Lancaster 

• 03.10.2024 -A massive thank you to the volunteers who joined our crew on Tuesday at Uggle Lane, Lancaster, to put some finishing touches to a well-loved walking route.

• 30.7.2024 - Much-loved Lancaster walking route gets a facelift.  A newly formed friends group, which will oversee and help protect the area for the benefit of local residents, are looking to transform the area further as a new nature reserve and create a community composting space with Food Futures, North Lancashire’s Sustainable Food Network

• 16.07.2024 - Local parks retain their Green Flag accreditation 

• 05.06.2024 - We have a Statutory Duty with regards to biodiversity and is required under the Environment Act 2021 to publish a Biodiversity Report, setting out what it has done and plans to do to conserve and enhance biodiversity across the District and how that will be monitored.  The Biodiversity First Consideration Report (approved at Cabinet 4 June 2024) sets out our current position and steps we intend to take to fulfil this duty.

• 08.08.2024 - A massive thanks go to all those who joined us recently to celebrate this year’s #LoveParks week by getting involved in organised litter picks, weeding, gardening days and other events in Ryelands Park, Happy Mount Park and Regent Park.

• 28.07.2024 - Would you like to join us on Tuesday in Regent Park as we celebrate #LovePark week?. We'll be hosting litter picks, weeding and gardening between 10am-noon meeting at the Friend's Garden and anyone is welcome to join us - refreshments will be provided too!

• 27.07.2024 - On Monday we will be celebrating #LovePark week in Happy Mount Park - do you want to join us? We will be hosting litter picks, weeding and gardening between 10am-noon meeting at the children's play area and anyone is welcome to join us - refreshments will be provided too!

• 24.07.2024 - Join us on Friday as we celebrate #LovePark week in Ryelands Park. We will be hosting litter picks, weeding and gardening between 10am-noon meeting at the front of Ryelands House and anyone is welcome to join us - refreshments will be provided too!

• 20.05.2024 - You might have seen us out and about this weekend re-sowing wildflower meadows. We've scattered some annuals to give them a colour boost. We also created and sowed a new wildflower bed at Delamere Avenue in Heysham with both annuals and perennials. 

• 16.05.2024 - Work is underway this week to enhance a well-loved walking route in Lancaster. Thanks to funding via local developments, an area between the A6 Scotforth Road and the railway bridge at Uggle Lane in Scotforth, will be turned into a small nature reserve with a renewed accessible path and a new bench for residents to sit and enjoy the space. Work on the footpath, land owned by Lancaster City Council, is expected to be completed by the end of May. The project has been made possible through developer contributions, also known as 'S106 contributions', paid to mitigate the impact of new development. A newly formed Friend's Group will oversee and help protect the area for the benefit of local residents. 

• 14.05.2024 - We're proud to be supporting The Plot North Lancashire which is currently seeking around 20 people to join its crop-share scheme for the coming season. This is a great opportunity to support a local veg growing project and in return you get a share of the crops produced on the farm each week between June and November. More info and sign up: https://foodfutures.org.uk/the-plot/ 

• 02.05.2024 - You'll see we are out and about #mowing the #grass. Some we cut entirely, some bits we leave, some bits we seed. 

• 10.04.2024 - Work is underway this week to enhance a well-loved walking route in Lancaster. Thanks to funding via local developments, an area between the A6 Scotforth Road and the railway bridge at Uggle Lane in Scotforth, will be turned into a small nature reserve with a renewed accessible path and a new bench for residents to sit and enjoy the space.

• 22.04.2024 - The Council will be celebrating Earth Day on Monday April 22 by giving out wildflower seeds alongside the opportunity to find out more about the work it’s doing to tackle the climate emergency.

• 13.03.2024 - #Nature recovery needs to be for everybody, so that people feel connected to the natural world around them and benefit from it.  A survey to help inform the development of the Lancashire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, is now running until Sunday, March 31.

• 14.09.2023 - Our grassland management team has been cutting and collecting some the #wildflower meadows this week.  

• 19.07.2023 - Want to take part in 'loveparks week'  from 28 July to 1 August 2023 

• 18.07.2023 - Five of our parks and open spaces have once again received the coveted Green Flag status for 2023.

• 26.04.2023 - We're starting on a flower meadow project to fill 12 acres of land with wildflowers, in collaboration with Playstation and Eden Project's National Wildflower Centre. We are beginning outside the Midland Hotel on April 27 at 6-7.30pm.  

• 25.04.2023 - We're supporting the #citynaturechallenge again this year. So, why not head to your local park, open space or Williamson Park and see what you can find here.

• 03.04.2023 - In the run up to Earth Day (April 22), some of our Planning and Climate Change Policy officers have given talks and held workshops with local schools and community groups to discuss ways in which locals can take part in helping the environment and also sustain local #biodiversity. #earthday.  More details here

• 31.03.2023 - Thank you to all the children who came out to help plant fruit trees and bushes on Ryelands estate in a joint project with Food Futures.  The edible fruit produced will be free for the public to pick and enjoy.  

• 28.03.2023 - An avenue of cherry trees, hedges and snowdrops have been planted in Ryelands Park to enhance the environment and make the park a more diverse and vibrant place is also helping us tackle climate change.  

• 14.02.2023 - A HUGE thank you to the 53 pupils and teachers from Ryelands School. who rolled up their sleeves, got digging and planted hedges and snowdrops last week in Ryelands Park.  It's just one part of our collaboration project with the Tree Council and local landscape architect David Redmore to enhance the #environment, boost #biodiversity and make the park a more vibrant place to be.  

• 07.02.2023 - Cherry Tree planting at Ryelands Park in Lancaster.  With the help of 35 volunteers we planted lines of hedges. They will improve the visual appearance of the park and enhance the environment too.  View our video here.

• 13.01.2023 - We seeded at Silverdale, Wray and along the Bay gateway.

• 02.11.2022 - Another wonderful wildflower haven awaits - this time in Silverdale. Thank you to all the residents, pupils from Silverdale St John's CofE Primary and the AONB Arnside and Silverdale for joining us yesterday to plant 460 plug plants and 600 spring bulbs and transform this patch of land.  View our video here.

• 30.If you drove through Wray last week and wondered what we were doing in relation to grassland management.  View the video here.

• 26.04.2022 - Volunteers sought for wildflower seed sowing event - Residents are being asked to take part in a seed sowing event to help create a wildflower haven – starting in Heysham. 

• 14.06.2021 - Grassland Management Strategy increases biodiversity - You may have spotted areas around the district where we haven't cut the grass. We are in the process of implementing our new Grassland Management Strategy to increase biodiversity, improve the workload planning for staff and to help us achieve our climate change aspirations.  

• 04.03.2021 - First delivery of wildflower seeds (4 March 2021) - We're delighted to have received the first delivery of wildflower seeds, which next month we will be sowing at some of our pollinator designation areas.  Not only will they provide natural beauty to our district, they will also benefit the environment and wildlife.  

• 26.02.2021 - Crook O’Lune beauty spot gets new lease of life as a wildflower meadow (March 2021) - A beauty spot at the Crook O’Lune near Lancaster, known locally as Hermitage Field, is getting a new lease of life as a wildflower meadow.  Councillor Kevin Frea, Cabinet member for climate action and member of Crook O’Lune Advisory Committee, said: “The creation and development of a wildflower meadow at Hermitage Field by local people that are passionate about the conservation of this special place, has provided the council with another perfect opportunity to breathe new life into this treasured beauty spot.  

• 16.09.2019 - The council has joined forces with the Lune Valley Flood Forum for a new event aimed at encouraging landowners and anyone with an interest to find out more about the benefits of tree planting.  

• 30.07.2019 - Help us to plant a million trees across north Lancashire as part of the Northern Forest project. 

• 01.09.2025 -  Check out the Council's new Waste and recycling - Lancaster City Council 

• 01.11.2024 - It's official! We've collected more than half a million coffee pods for recycling from local households since we went into partnership with Podback last year. If you love your coffee pod coffee, why not recycle them by joining the scheme. Simply rrder your free Podback bags from Podback, fill your bags with used pods,  them out for collection with your bins/boxes on your next recycling collection day. Get started today: www.lancaster.gov.uk/podback 

• 23.10.2024 - This month, more than 100 people from food business across the district came together at our 5th annual Food Forum to share insights and up-skill their practices. From improving food ratings to learning effective cooling techniques and allergen updates, our event was all about ensuring businesses are equipped with the best information to operate their businesses safely for their customers. 

• 23.10.2024 - Our waste and recycling team and Buzz the Battery are in Market Square, Lancaster until 2.30pm today armed with information on all you need to know about household waste and recycling. There's still time to pop along with your questions and say hello.

• 22.10.2024 - If you're planning on a trip to town tomorrow (23rd October)  keep an eye out for our waste and recycling crew. They'll be on the plinth again in Market Square, Lancaster between 9.30am and 2.30pm to answer all your household waste and recycling questions. Everyone welcome to pop along and say hello. 

• 16.08.2024 - Members of our waste and recycling team were at Carnforth Family Hub this week answering questions about waste and recycling and armed with information about all the items you can now recycle via our kerbside collections, including batteries and coffee pods.

• 12.06.2024 - Another 2.5 tonne of household batteries collected from local households via our Battery Recycling Collection Scheme has been saved from landfill. 

• 10.07.2024 - A colourful new Bulky Matters waste collection wagon is ready to hit the road and could be coming down a street near you soon.

• 10.7.2024 - Did you know that you can now order new wheelie bins for your recyclables?
  21.12.2023: North Lancashire wins Sustainable Food award - North Lancashire was one of seven places across the UK that received a prestigious Sustainable Food Places (SFP) Silver award; recognising the outstanding efforts of individuals, organisations, businesses and community groups from across our region in promoting healthy, sustainable and local food to tackle some of today’s greatest social challenges; from food poverty and diet-related ill-health to the disappearance of family farms and the loss of independent food retailers.

• 28.11.2023: More than 1,300 local residents have registered to recycle their coffee pods at home with Podback. The pods we've collected so far during our fortnightly recycling collections were picked up from our depot this week and on their way to be recycled in the UK

• 30.10.2023 - New kerbside coffee pod recycling service comes to the Lancaster district

• 24.10.2023 - From 30 October, you'll be able to recycle your coffee pods at home alongside your fortnightly kerbside recycling collections. Register today to receive your free #Podback recycling bags: www.lancaster.gov.uk/podback

• 22.10.2023 - It's #RecyclingWeek and the Big Recycling Hunt is on. Remember, you can recycle most cleaning bottles. Don’t let those bottles get away, join the nationwide hunt and find those trigger sprays, bleach and detergent bottles. Give them a quick rinse, lid back on, squash them and put them in the recycling. The cleaning never stops, so most of us are already recycling cleaning bottles. For more info on what can be recycled: www.lancaster.gov.uk/recycling

• 20.10.2023 - Today is ‘National Reuse Day’. - a special day organised by Freegle and when organisations, communities and individuals are encouraged to think about reusing more and wasting less.  

• 06.09.2023 / 14.09.2023 - Anyone taking part in the waste and recycling trial in Heysham might be interested in attending Lancaster University's next Plastic Packaging in Peoples' Lives event.  Our waste and recycling team will also be there to answer all your household waste related questions. Check out the video  to find out how important it is to wash, squash and sort your recyclables in readiness for collection.  

• 02.12.2022 - Our Community Hub is working with Morecambe Bay Foodbank at Tesco in Carnforth They’ll be there today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) between 11am and 2pm to provide help and advice on city council services and shopping lists for suggested foodbank donations. 

• 15.12.2021 - Putting food at the heart of the climate debate as the eyes of the world turn to COP26, the Council has signed the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration.  

• 10.05.2021 - Residents in Heysham are doing their bit towards tackling climate change by taking part in a food waste recycling trial. The aim of the trial which started this week is to test the impact of additional food waste collections on the council’s current waste and recycling services and for the county council to test its sorting and composting process. 

• 26.03.2021 - Lancaster District Food Poverty Alliance launches five-year action plan which aims to ensure all residents have access to affordable, nourishing food, has launched a five-year action plan. 

• 19.02.2019 - Poster competition puts plastic pollution in the spotlight.  

• 22.01.2025 - It's National Clean Air Night today. Did you know that burning in the home is the most polluting way to heat your home

• 25.11.2024 - Residents are being asked to voice their views on the air quality in Lancaster City Centre 

• 29.10.2024 - The air quality in the district is improving on the whole, but in the winter months there is a rise in the common air pollutant PM2.5, mainly due to the use of domestic burning of fires and wood burners used to heat the home, but just making a few small changes can help to reduce local air pollution

• 25.07.2024 - An improvement in air quality in Carnforth and Galgate has meant that they no longer need to be designated Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA).The reports can be found here Carnforth and Galgate Air Quality Management Area Revocation Consultation | KeepConnected (lancaster.gov.uk) 

• 16.07.2024 - A new tool to enable residents to check the quality of the air locally has been launched. Air quality is continually monitored daily by Lancaster City Council. And, thanks to 13 new sensors across the district, residents will now be able to keep tabs on it too via the EarthSense Portal.  It shows residents where air pollution peaks are occurring, enabling them to avoid more polluted areas such as when socialising, exercising outdoors or commuting by bicycle

• 05.12.2023 - We want residents' views on the local environment.  What are your perceptions and understanding of environmental issues, such as air quality? From using public transport to heating your home using - what climate change challenges do you personally face? Let us know keepconnected.lancaster.gov.uk/aq

• 16.01.2023 - Lancaster City Council urges people to consider cutting down on use of solid fuel appliances.

• 16.06.2022 - Air pollution campaign to tackle solid fuel appliances.  The council has been awarded £198,794 to help tackle air pollution through the Defra Air Quality Grant.  The new funding will allow the council to increase the monitoring of air pollution and improve people’s awareness about the risks of using solid fuel appliances both inside and outside our homes.

• 23.12.2021 - Carbon dioxide monitors were trialled at 10 pubs and restaurants in a bid to help businesses improve ventilation, reducing airborne Covid-19 particles and the risk of transmission. 

• 21.02.2019 -  Launch of air quality survey asking for people’s views on how to improve air quality in the district as it looks to produce a new action plan.  

• 04.03.2026 - Community-led climate action took the spotlight in Lancaster  (March 4 2026) as people from across Lancashire gathered for the third Lancashire Climate Action Forum.

• 27.09.2025 - The council’s climate change team is supporting an installation at this year’s Light Up Lancaster festival, entitled Still Waters Run Deep. The large-scale projection artwork will illuminate the façade of Lancaster Castle’s John O’Gaunt Gate, telling the story of glacial change. Support for the installation is part of the council’s commitment to raising awareness of climate change, following public consultation feedback that highlighted a desire for more accessible information on both global and local climate impacts. The team is part funding the installation thanks to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) as part of the Climate and Nature Strategy. The light installation project includes a QR code, linking viewers to further resources about the impact of global climate change locally and practical actions residents can take against the impact of flooding.

• 26.04.2025: Our climate change team are all set up in Lancaster's Charter Market today to mark International Earth Day, which was earlier this week (22nd April)

• 20.08.2024 - Lancaster City Council and partners sign up to new strategic partnership.  Through the partnership, the founding member organisations will work together to improve the Lancaster District aligned to agreed strategic priorities – sustainability and the climate emergency, the economy, health and wellbeing and communities

• 22.05.2024 - We were delighted to host the very first North West Officers and Portfolio Holders Climate Change Event Wednesday 22 May 2024. We are passionate about tackling the impact of climate change with the reduction of direct and indirect carbon emissions, so it was wonderful to welcome representatives from councils and portfolio holders from across the North West at Lancaster Town Hall. The inaugural meeting provided the chance for everyone to get their heads together and start shaping the future vision for how collectively we can use the network to strive for positive action in addressing opportunities for a greener future from transport, energy and planning to housing and education and more.  

• 19.02.2024 - Thanks to Lancaster district's share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, we’re working with Chamber Low Carbon to support local businesses on their journey to Net Zero with the launch of a Carbon Reduction Business Support Programme.

• 21.12.2023 - North Lancashire wins Sustainable Food award - North Lancashire was one of seven places across the UK that received a prestigious Sustainable Food Places (SFP) Silver award; recognising the outstanding efforts of individuals, organisations, businesses and community groups from across our region in promoting healthy, sustainable and local food to tackle some of today’s greatest social challenges; from food poverty and diet-related ill-health to the disappearance of family farms and the loss of independent food retailers.

• 03.04.2023 - In the run up to Earth Day (April 22), some of our Planning and Climate Change Policy officers have given talks and held workshops with local schools and community groups to discuss ways in which locals can take part in helping the environment and also sustain local #biodiversity. #earthday

• 22.11.2022 - Reflecting on ‘Adapting Together: How can we all play a part in climate action - The event aimed to consider how designers can create and support participation in climate action, and what action really looks like beyond purchasing decisions which brought discussion back round to sites and issues in the Lancashire area, and was hosted by Mark Davies, our Chief Executive.

• 17.06.2022 - Local businesses are being invited to a breakfast event to find out more about reducing carbon emissions and taking the next steps towards net zero 

• 27.03.2022 - Council and its partners will be hosting district-wide conversations on tackling and addressing the climate emergency following a successful bid to join the UK’s Local Climate Engagement Programme 

• 24.11.2020 - People’s Jury returns its verdict on climate change.