We’re delighted that James decided to join the team in April this year, as the Biomass Woodfuel Supply Officer. 

James is leading the Staffordshire Wood Fuel unit, which is a new operation set up to provide both the raw materials and the expertise to help businesses save cash and carbon.

It’s been set up by Staffordshire County Council to make the most of the local timber products resulting from its vital wildlife conservation and sustainable woodland management operations on Cannock Chase, council landholdings, and other local woodlands.

The wood chip produced will provide a stable, reliable high quality product to an emerging market in biomass boilers – helping the council deliver on its mission to help Staffordshire business to go green and cut the growing costs of carbon fuels.

Staffordshire Wood Fuel:

• Can also help businesses with specialist advice on the technology and which way to go
• Has been formed out of the experience gained by the Rethink Energy project (funded by Advantage West Midlands).
• Provides a sustainable resource of high quality wood fuels that are produced from virgin low grade timber, seasoned, processed and quality assured from our depot near to Abbots Bromley.

The operation will complement the work of Staffordshire’s existing biomass fuel providers, helping to stimulate woodland management, develop the market and extend its benefits to a wider customer base.

The business has its origins in the council’s drive to make the links between all its operations, reducing costs and increasing efficiency, while delivering reductions in its CO2 emissions.

Staffordshire County Council has already invested in the technology to provide the heating system for the visitor centre, attractions and works buildings at Marquis Drive Centre on Cannock Chase.

In addition the council’s flagship Tipping Street development, providing a base to bring together 1,500 staff from across the organisation in Stafford town centre, will also be heated by biomass boilers, using chip supplied by Staffordshire Wood Fuels.

Staffordshire’s cabinet member for Jobs, Skills and Enterprise, Mike Lawrence, said “it is all about providing stability within the market place for private sector developments to have confidence in the wood fuel supply chain”.

He went on to say, “James Cartwright, the Biomass Wood Fuel Supply Officer is also a Chartered Forester. He will be working across the council’s operations to ensure good management of natural wood resources yields benefits for business and the tax payer. We are working to support the development of a new green economy here in Staffordshire”.  

James can be contacted on:
 E-mail:  james.cartwright@staffordshire.gov.uk
 Tel: 01785 277253
 Mob: 07791 881923