Agenda Pack
North Lanarkshire Council · 12 December 2022
Back to Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee — 12 December 2022 and its agenda
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02/12/2022 Notice of Meeting and Agenda Glasgow & the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee. Date Time Venue Monday, 12 December 2022 11:15 Remotely by MS Teams, Membership Councillor Jim Gibbons and Councillor Alan Moir (East Dunbartonshire Council); Councillor Paul Edlin and Councillor Colm Merrick (East Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Kenny McLean and Councillor Ken Andrew (Glasgow City Council); Councillor Chris Curley and Councillor David Wilson (Inverclyde Council); Councillor Tom Fisher and Councillor Allan Stubbs (North Lanarkshire Council); Councillor John McNaughtan and Councillor Jim Paterson (Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Richard Nelson and Councillor Robert Brown (South Lanarkshire Council); and Councillor Lawrence O’Neill and Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal (West Dunbartonshire Council). Councillor Lawrence O’Neill (Convener); Councillor David Wilson (Vice-Convener). Further Information This is a meeting which is open to members of the public. A copy of the agenda and reports for this meeting will be available for inspection prior to the meeting at the Customer Service Centre, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley and online at http://renfrewshire.cmis.uk.com/renfrewshire/CouncilandBoards.aspx For further information, please email democratic-services@renfrewshire.gov.uk MARK CONAGHAN Clerk Page 1 of 36
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02/12/2022 Members of the Press and Public Members of the press and public wishing to join the meeting should contact democratic-services@renfrewshire.gov.uk Page 2 of 36
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02/12/2022 Items of business Apologies Apologies from members. Declarations of Interest Members are asked to declare an interest in any item(s) on the agenda and to provide a brief explanation of the nature of the interest. 1 Minutes Minutes of meetings of this Joint Committee held on 12 September and 24 October 2022. 5 - 12 2 Revenue Budget Monitoring Joint report by Treasurer and Strategic Development Plan Manager. 13 - 16 3 Revenue Estimates 2023/24 for Clydeplan and the Green Network Partnership Joint report by Treasurer and Strategic Development Plan Manager. 17 - 22 4 Revised Draft National Planning Framework 4 Report by Strategic Development Plan Manager. 23 - 32 5 Partnership Working Towards Delivery of the Green Network Blueprint Report by Green Network Development Officer. 33 - 36 6 Date of Next Meeting Note that the next meeting of the Joint Committee will be held at 11.15 am on 13 March 2023. Page 3 of 36
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Minute of Meeting Glasgow & the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee. Date Time Venue Monday, 12 September 2022 11:15 Remotely by MS Teams, Present Councillor Jim Gibbons and Councillor Alan Moir (East Dunbartonshire Council); Councillor Paul Edlin (East Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Tom Fisher and Councillor Allan Stubbs (both North Lanarkshire Council); Councillor John McNaughtan and Councillor Jim Paterson (both Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Richard Nelson and Councillor Robert Brown (both South Lanarkshire Council); and Councillor Lawrence O’Neill and Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal (both West Dunbartonshire Council). Chair Councillor O’Neill, Convener, presided. In Attendance S Tait, Strategic Development Plan Manager (Strategic Development Plan Core Team); H Holland, Executive Officer - Land Planning & Development (East Dunbartonshire Council); S Taylor, Principal Planner (Glasgow City Council); S Jamieson, Head of Regeneration and Planning (Inverclyde Council); L Bowden, Planning & Place Manager (North Lanarkshire Council); A Morrison, Head of Economy and Development Services, K Festorazzi, Principal Accountant (Management Accounting) and E Currie, Senior Committee Services Officer (all Renfrewshire Council); and M Ferris, Senior Audit Manager (Audit Scotland). Apologies Councillor Colm Merrick (East Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Ken Andrew (Glasgow City Council); and Councillor David Wilson (Inverclyde Council). Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting. Item 1 Page 5 of 36
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Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II A minute's silence was held as a mark of respect following the recent death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 1 Minute There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of this Joint Committee held on 27 June 2022. DECIDED: That the Minute be approved. 2 Revenue Budget Monitoring There was submitted a joint revenue budget monitoring report by the Treasurer and the Strategic Development Plan Manager for the period to 19 August 2022. The report intimated that by 31 March 2023, the forecast position for Clydeplan was a projected underspend of £91,266 and further detail was provided in section 4 of the report. The report noted that there had been no budget adjustments since the start of the financial year. DECIDED: That the report be noted. 3 Update on Audited Annual Accounts 2021/22 Under reference to item 6 of the Minute of the meeting of this Joint Committee held on 27 June 2022, there was submitted a report by the Treasurer providing an update on the audited annual accounts for 2021/22. The report intimated that the unaudited annual accounts were presented to the Joint Committee at its meeting held on 27 June 2022 and then submitted for audit by the statutory deadline of 30 June 2022. Local Government Finance Circular 6/2022 provided an extension to the statutory deadline for approval of the audited annual accounts and the report advised that the Clydeplan audited accounts for 2021/22 were expected to be completed for approval by 24 October 2022. The report recommended that it be noted that a special meeting of the Joint Committee would be called on 24 October 2022 to approve the audited accounts. The Convener proposed that this matter be considered later in the meeting. This was agreed unanimously. DECIDED: (a) That the revised deadline for the Joint Committee to approve and publish its audited accounts be noted; and (b) That consideration of a special meeting of the Joint Committee being held on 24 October 2022 to approve the audited accounts be considered later in the meeting. Page 6 of 36
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Sederunt Councillor Fisher joined the meeting during consideration of the following item of business. 4 National Planning Framework 4 The Strategic Development Plan Manager provided a verbal update on National Planning Framework 4 and advised that the Scottish Government had now indicated that approval of NPF4 would now not be considered until autumn 2022 and as such it had not been published in summer 2022 as indicated. It was proposed that the Convener, on behalf of the Joint Committee, write to the Scottish Government expressing the Joint Committee’s disappointment and frustration in the delay of the publication of NPF4. This was agreed unanimously. DECIDED: (a) That the update provided be noted; and (b) That the Convener, on behalf of the Joint Committee, write to the Scottish Government expressing the Joint Committee’s disappointment and frustration in the delay of the publication of NPF4. 5 Clyde Peatlands Officer - Recruitment Proposal There was submitted a report by the Strategic Development Plan Manager relative to the recruitment of a new Clyde Peatlands Project Officer as part of the suite of Green Network Blueprint delivery initiatives. The report intimated that the Clyde Peatlands had been launched and endorsed by the Glasgow City Region Cabinet in June 2022 with the aim of bringing about a step change in the scale and rate of peatland restoration across the City Region which would make a significant contribution to the region’s drive for net zero and respond to the ecological crisis by restoring a UK and Scottish priority habit. The report advised that the original intention had been that a new senior project officer and a new project officer be employed with both posts being fully funded through NatureScot’s Peatland Action Fund, currently secured until March 2024. The posts had been advertised with only applicant for each post with neither meeting the necessary criteria. This had allowed for a review of how Clyde Peatlands should be resourced going forward and the report provided details of the proposal. The report noted that in discussion with NatureScot’s Peatland Action Team, the preferred option was the creation of a new higher-grade post benchmarked against the Green Network’s Development Officers, £35,000 to £39,000, with support from the Peatland Action Team and Green Network. The Peatland Action Fund was resourced directly by the Scottish Government with funding allocated in two-yearly cycles, with the current cycle running until March 2024, which meant that Clyde Peatlands could currently only offer a firm contract up until that date. Peatland Action hoped that the next cycle of funding from April 2024 to March 2026 would be confirmed as early as October/November 2022 and had indicated that if the money could be found to underwrite a new contract beyond March 2024, they would provide a written assurance that when the next tranche of Scottish Government funding was released, the money used to underwrite the contract would be taken off the table and replaced with Peatland Page 7 of 36
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Action funding. The Letter of Comfort from NatureScot was appended to the report. The report further advised that the cost of underwriting the contract for a year was estimated at £45,000 and requested that Clydeplan cover this cost through the utilisation of reserves. It was noted that the preferred option would be that the new officer would be hosted directly within the Green Network team and employed through Renfrewshire Council, similar to that of the recently appointed Green Network Wetlands and Grasslands Officer. DECIDED: (a) That the creation of a Clyde Peatlands Project Officer post be agreed; (b) That the use of Clydeplan reserves to underwrite a year’s extension to the initial contract advertised be agreed, with funding covered by a Letter of Comfort from Peatland Action, a copy of which was appended to the report, and as detailed in paragraph 5.3 of the report; and (c) That it be agreed that the Green Network Partnership directly host the new post via Renfrewshire Council. 6 Arrangements for Future Meetings Under reference to item 8 of the Minute of the meeting of this Joint Committee held on 27 June 2022, there was submitted a report by the Clerk relative to arrangements for future meetings. The report intimated that prior to the pandemic, the Joint Committee met in a room in Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow and that Glasgow City Council had confirmed that this meeting room would be made available for Joint Committee meetings. The meeting room had capacity for 30 people but did not have a hybrid meeting facility to allow members to join remotely, therefore, meetings held in this location would require to be ‘in-person’ meetings only as there would be no option for members or officers to attend remotely. Following discussion around the business being scheduled for each meeting and a flexible approach being taken to remote and ‘in -person’ meetings, the Convener proposed (i) that a meeting of the Joint Committee be held at 11.15 am on 24 October 2022 to consider Clydeplan’s audited annual accounts and that this meeting be held remotely on MS Teams; (ii) that the meeting of the Joint Committee being held at 11.15 am on 12 December 2022 be an ‘in-person’ meeting in Exchange House, Glasgow; and (iii) that it be delegated to the Clerk, in consultation with the Strategic Development Plan Manager and the Convener, to decide how meetings be held following consideration of the business for meetings with decisions being taken from meeting to meeting. This was agreed unanimously. DECIDED: (a) That a meeting of the Joint Committee be held at 11.15 am on 24 October 2022 and that this meeting be held remotely on MS Teams; (b) That the meeting of the Joint Committee being held at 11.15 am on 12 December 2022 be an ‘in-person’ meeting in Exchange House, Glasgow; and Page 8 of 36
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(c) That it be delegated to the Clerk, in consultation with the Strategic Development Plan Manager and the Convener, to decide how meetings be held following consideration of the business for meetings with a decision being taken from meeting to meeting. 7 Date of Next Meeting DECIDED: (a) That it be noted that the next meeting of the Joint Committee would be held at 11.15 am on 24 October 2022 and that this meeting would be held remotely on MS Teams; and (b) That it be noted that the meeting of the Joint Committee being held at 11.15 am on 12 December 2022 would be an ‘in-person’ meeting in Exchange House, Glasgow. Page 9 of 36
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Minute of Meeting Glasgow & the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee. Date Time Venue Monday, 24 October 2022 11:15 Remotely by MS teams, Present Councillor Colm Merrick (East Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Kenny McLean and Councillor Ken Andrew (Glasgow City Council); Councillor David Wilson (Inverclyde Council); Councillor Tom Fisher and Councillor Allan Stubbs (North Lanarkshire Council); Councillor John McNaughtan and Councillor Jim Paterson (Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Robert Brown (South Lanarkshire Council); and Councillor Lawrence O’Neill and Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal (West Dunbartonshire Council). Chair Councillor O’Neill, Convener, presided. In Attendance S Tait, Strategic Development Plan Manager and D McDonald, Assistant Development Plan Manager (Strategic Development Plan Core Team); H Holland, Executive Officer - Land Planning & Development (East Dunbartonshire Council); J Nicol, Planning & Building Standards Manager (East Renfrewshire Council); S Taylor, Principal Planner (Glasgow City Council); L Bowden, Planning & Place Manager (North Lanarkshire Council); A Morrison, Head of Economy & Development Services, K Festorazzi, Principal Accountant (Management Accounting) and E Currie, Senior Committee Services Officer (Renfrewshire Council); and M Ferris, Senior Audit Manager (Audit Scotland). Apologies Councillor Jim Gibbons and Councillor Alan Moir (East Dunbartonshire Council); Councillor Paul Edlin (East Renfrewshire Council) and Councillor Richard Nelson (South Lanarkshire Council). Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting. Page 11 of 36
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1 Annual Audit Report on the Annual Accounts 2021/22 Under reference to item 6 of the Minute of the meeting of this Joint Committee held on 27 June 2022, there was submitted a joint report by the Treasurer and Strategic Development Plan Manager relative to the annual audit report on the annual accounts 2021/22. The report advised that the Joint Committee had ended the 2021/22 financial year with a deficit of £69,764 which resulted in an underspend of £85,436 against a planned budget deficit of £155,200. The management commentary within the accounts provided an overview of the Joint Committee’s financial performance during 2021/22, along with its outlook for the future. The report intimated that in accordance with the Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014 the audited accounts required to be approved for signature by the Joint Committee no later than 30 September each year, although publication of Local Government Finance Circular 6/2022: Extension to Accounts Approval and Publication Dates for 2021/22 provided for a revised approval date of 30 November 2022. The report further intimated that Section 10 of the regulations required that the Joint Committee consider any report made by the appointed auditor before deciding whether to sign the audited accounts. The findings of the appointed auditor, Audit Scotland, formed Appendix 1 to the report, and these included details of the adjustments made to the accounts during the course of the audit. The report noted that following approval, the audited accounts, which formed Appendix 2 to the report, would be signed by the Convener, the Treasurer and the Strategic Development Plan Manager by secure digital signature. DECIDED: (a) That the findings of the 2021/22 audit, as contained in the annual audit report, which formed Appendix 1 to the report, be noted; and (b) That the 2021/22 audited annual accounts, which formed Appendix 2 to the report, be approved for signature. Page 12 of 36
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GLASGOW AND THE CLYDE VALLEY STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AUTHORITY JOINT COMMITTEE To: Joint Committee On: 12 December 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: The Treasurer and the Strategic Development Plan Manager ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Revenue Budget Monitoring Report to 11 November 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The forecast position for ClydePlan by 31 March 2023 is a projected £99,236 underspend. This is explained in section 4. ______________________________________________________________ 2 Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that members consider the report. _____________________________________________________ 3 Budget Adjustments Since Last Report 3.1 There have been no budget adjustments since the start of the financial year. ________________________________________________________________ 4 Budget Performance 4.1 Projected Year End Position £99,236 Underspend Previously Reported £91,266 Underspend The movement in projected underspend from the last reporting period is within Employee Costs and is due to vacancies that have not yet been filled, including two Strategic Planner posts and one Planning Analyst post. A projected year-end underspend in Transfer Payments arises from budget that was approved in the 22/23 estimates for a Sustrans bid and was due to be funded from reserves. The bid was unsuccessful and as such there will be Item 2 Page 13 of 36
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1 no spend against this area in 22/23, and consequently no corresponding drawdown from reserves. ___________________________________________________________________ Page 14 of 36
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Core Operations Approved
Budget
Year to
Date
Actual
Projected
Full Year
Actual
Projected Full
Year Variance
(Adverse) /
Favourable
Prior Period
Projection
Movement in Projection
Adverse / (Favourable)
£000s £000s £000s £000s £000s £000s
Employee Costs 474 219 420 54 431 (11)
Property Costs 22 1 3 19 1 2
Transport Costs 1 0 0 1 1 0
Supplies and Services 27 15 30 (2) 30 0
Transfer Payments 32 2 3 30 3 0
Support Costs 24 1 25 (1) 24 1
Gross Expenditure 580 237 481 99 489 (8)
Council Requisitions (547) (239) (547) 0 (547) 0
Other Income (3) 0 (3) 0 (3) 0
Gross Income (550) (239) (550) 0 (550) 0
Drawdown from Reserves 30 (2) (69) 99 (61) (8)
Summary of in-year Movement in Reserves £000s
Opening Revenue Reserve at 1 April 2022 (314)
Budgeted Draw on Reserves 30
Projected Year-end variance (99)
Closing Revenue Reserve at 31 March 2023 (383)
% of Operating Income -69.7%
Glossary
Employee Costs: Includes direct employee costs such as salary costs, overtime and indirect employee costs such as training, recruitment advertising
Property Costs: Includes expenses directly related to the running of premises and land, eg rates, rents and leases, utilities, contract cleaning
Transport Costs: Includes all costs associated with the provision, hire or use of transport, including travelling allowances, taxi and car hire costs and staff mileage
Supplies and Services: Includes all supplies and service expenses, such as ICT costs, and administrative costs such as stationery, postages, printing and advertising
Transfer Payments: Includes costs of payments for which no good or services are received in return e.g. Apprenticeship Levy
Support Costs: Includes central support charges e.g. Renfrewshire Council SLA and telephony recharges ('Administration Costs' in approved budget)
REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING STATEMENT 2022/23
1 April to 11 November 2022
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GLASGOW AND THE CLYDE VALLEY STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AUTHORITY JOINT COMMITTEE To: Joint Committee On: 12 December 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: The Treasurer and the Strategic Development Plan Manager ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Revenue Estimates 2023/24 for ClydePlan and the Green Network Partnership ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The following report has been prepared by the Treasurer, in consultation with the Strategic Development Plan Manager, to present the Revenue Estimates of Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority and Green Network Partnership, including the requisition of the constituent authorities, for financial year 2023/24 and indicative planning figures for 2024/25 and 2025/26. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that Members: a) Approve the Revenue Estimates for 2023/24 set out in Appendix 1, including the planned use of reserves; and b) Note the indicative estimates for 2024/25 and 2025/26. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 The Revenue Estimates process outlines the summary revenue budget position each year. Both ClydePlan and the Green Network Partnership budgets are presented together, in recognition of their shared activity and resources. 3.2 The Revenue Estimates presented in Appendix 1 outline the projected net expenditure and proposed requisition for 2023/24, along with indicative figures 2024/25 and 2025/26 for members’ information, and to assist with constituent authorities’ financial planning. 3.3 The financial environment in which the Joint Committee and member authorities operate continues to be characterised by significant demand and cost pressures, compounded by constrained grant support. It is anticipated that the Scottish Budget, to be announced on 15 December 2022, will again reflect Item 3 Page 17 of 36
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a settlement for local government that does not meet the levels required to maintain spend under the current high inflationary climate. 3.4 The requisition for ClydePlan is proposed at £67,500 per member. This maintains the gross requisition at 2022/23 levels, with a requisition discount of £39,500 applied, in recognition of the high level of uncommitted reserves. This proposal represents a 1.3% reduction in the net requisition for 2023/24. 3.5 There is a planned transfer of £47,500 of Clydeplan reserves to the Green Network Partnership in 2023/24 to fund the second year of a Green Network Development Officer post, as previously approved by the Joint Committee. 3.6 The requisition for Green Network Partnership is outlined in Appendix 1. The allocation basis for this is different to ClydePlan, the former being a per capita allocation. As with ClydePlan, the proposed net requisition for 2023/24 and beyond has been discounted to reduce the level of reserves held within Green Network Partnership to a reasonable level. 4. Budget Assumptions 4.1 The budget has been constructed on the basis of a fundamental review of the core operations of Clydeplan and Green Network Partnership and is based on the following assumptions: • Provision for inflation on employee costs has been included at an average 5% for 2022/23 and 3% for subsequent years; • Current working from home arrangements and other operational changes have resulted in savings across various areas of the budget, e.g. staff training, conferences, consultancy, printing and travel, and the budget assumption is that these savings will be sustained into 2023/24 and beyond; • As agreed by the Joint Committee on 13 September 2021, a two-year temporary Grade 9 post of Green Network Development Officer has been included in the GNP Employee Costs. The post was appointed to in 2022/23 and is budgeted to be funded from ClydePlan reserves. A transfer of reserves between ClydePlan and GNP can therefore be seen in the budget for 2022/23 and 2023/24 at Appendix 1. 5. Financial Overview 5.1 Clydeplan’s current operational methods, structure and long-term financial arrangements are under continuous review by the Strategic Development Manager and the Treasurer. Page 18 of 36
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5.2 The outlook in the medium term is characterised by uncertainty. The current areas of significant risk for the Joint Committee in the medium term are: • ongoing discussions around improved integration of regional planning and the impact of the Planning (Scotland) Act; • workforce succession planning, following the recent announcement of the retirement of the Strategic Development Manager and Assistant Manager at the end of 2022/23; and • the level of pay award for 2023/24, which has not yet been agreed. 5.3 The impact of the 2023/24 Local Government settlement is yet to be confirmed. The current budget provision for pay inflation in 2023/24 is 3%; however, should the final settlement exceed this provision, action will be taken to mitigate the additional pressure. 5.4 Due to the current financial climate and ongoing COVID-19 situation, operational costs will remain under review and any savings that may arise will be brought forward to a future meeting. The level of reserves will also remain under review and any changes to the proposed use of reserves will be reported as appropriate to the Joint Committee. 6. Reserves 6.1 The Audited Annual Accounts for 2021/22 reported the level of uncommitted reserves as £314,108 for ClydePlan at 31 March 2022. This represents 54% of budgeted expenditure in 2022/23. It is recommended that the level of uncommitted reserves should be held at a minimum of 10% to provide for unforeseen expenditure. Based on the 2023/24 Estimate this would equate to £56,300. 6.2 The Audited Annual Accounts 2021/22 reported the level of uncommitted reserves as £99,630 for the Green Network Partnership. This represents 69% of budgeted expenditure in 2022/23. It is recommended that the level of uncommitted reserves should be held at a minimum of 30% to provide for unforeseen expenditure. Based on the 2023/24 Estimate this would equate to £30,150. 6.3 In recognition of the high level of reserves and no requirement to earmark any balances, a requisition discount has been built into estimates for 2022/23 and beyond. As in previous years, this managed draw from reserves to support the annual revenue budget is carefully planned with the aim of reducing reserve balances to an appropriate level, while supporting member authorities with annual revenue pressures by keeping requisition increases to a minimum. ___________________________________________________________________ Page 19 of 36
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Appendix 1 ClydePlan GNP Total ClydePlan GNP Total ClydePlan GNP Total Expenditure Employee Costs 473,600 135,085 608,685 419,890 134,856 554,746 489,400 141,200 630,600 Premise Costs 22,200 900 23,100 3,190 0 3,190 20,100 500 20,600 Supplies and Services 27,400 7,300 34,700 29,870 7,650 37,520 27,400 7,300 34,700 Support Services 23,700 300 24,000 24,880 700 25,580 23,700 300 24,000 Third Party Payments 30,000 0 30,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 Transfer Payments 2,100 600 2,700 2,580 519 3,099 1,900 600 2,500 Transport 1,000 300 1,300 360 250 610 500 300 800 Total Expenditure 580,000 144,485 724,485 480,770 143,975 624,745 563,000 150,200 713,200 Income Gross Requisition 579,500 143,685 723,185 579,500 143,685 723,185 579,500 143,685 723,185 Requisition discount (32,500) (47,500) (80,000) (32,500) (47,500) (80,000) (39,500) (50,000) (89,500) Net Requisition 547,000 96,185 643,185 547,000 96,185 643,185 540,000 93,685 633,685 Other Income 3,000 800 3,800 3,000 800 3,800 3,000 800 3,800 Total Income 550,000 96,985 646,985 550,000 96,985 646,985 543,000 94,485 637,485 Net Expenditure / (Income) 30,000 47,500 77,500 (69,230) 46,990 (22,240) 20,000 55,715 75,715 Reserve Balances General Reserves at 1 April 383,872 99,630 483,502 314,108 99,630 413,738 335,838 100,140 435,978 Transfer of Clydeplan Reserves to GNP 0 0 0 (47,500) 47,500 0 (47,500) 47,500 0 Use of Reserves Other (30,000) (47,500) (77,500) 69,230 (46,990) 0 (20,000) (55,715) (75,715) Total Reserves at 31 March 353,872 52,130 406,002 335,838 100,140 413,738 268,338 91,925 360,263 Reserves as % of gross revenue spend 61% 36% 70% 70% 47.7% 61.2% Change in Net Requisition n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -1.3% -2.6% -1.5% Net Requisition per Authority: City of Glasgow Council 68,375.00 31,949.00 100,324.00 68,375.00 31,949.00 100,324.00 67,500.00 31,118.60 98,618.60 North Lanarkshire Council 68,375.00 17,825.00 86,200.00 68,375.00 17,825.00 86,200.00 67,500.00 17,361.70 84,861.70 South Lanarkshire Council 68,375.00 16,992.00 85,367.00 68,375.00 16,992.00 85,367.00 67,500.00 16,550.35 84,050.35 East Dunbartonshire Council 68,375.00 5,756.00 74,131.00 68,375.00 5,756.00 74,131.00 67,500.00 5,606.39 73,106.39 West Dunbartonshire Council 68,375.00 5,001.00 73,376.00 68,375.00 5,001.00 73,376.00 67,500.00 4,871.02 72,371.02 East Renfrewshire Council 68,375.00 4,900.00 73,275.00 68,375.00 4,900.00 73,275.00 67,500.00 4,772.64 72,272.64 Inverclyde Council 68,375.00 4,451.00 72,826.00 68,375.00 4,451.00 72,826.00 67,500.00 4,335.31 71,835.31 Renfrewshire Council 68,375.00 9,311.00 77,686.00 68,375.00 9,311.00 77,686.00 67,500.00 9,068.99 76,568.99 547,000.00 96,185.00 643,185.00 547,000.00 96,185.00 643,185.00 540,000.00 93,685.00 633,685.00 Revenue Estimates 2023/24 to 2025/26 ClydePlan and Green Network Partnership Proposed Budget 2023/24Approved Budget 2022/23 Probable Outturn 2022/23 Page 21 of 36
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Appendix 1 ClydePlan GNP Total ClydePlan GNP Total Expenditure Employee Costs 506,400 92,200 598,600 517,400 94,200 611,600 Premise Costs 20,100 300 20,400 20,100 300 20,400 Supplies and Services 27,400 6,900 34,300 27,400 6,400 33,800 Support Services 23,700 300 24,000 23,700 300 24,000 Transfer Payments 1,900 500 2,400 3,000 500 3,500 Transport 300 300 600 300 300 600 Total Expenditure 579,800 100,500 680,300 591,900 102,000 693,900 Income Gross Requisition 576,800 100,100 676,900 588,900 101,600 690,500 Requisition discount (30,000) (10,000) (40,000) (30,000) (15,000) (45,000) Net Requisition 546,800 90,100 636,900 558,900 86,600 645,500 Other Income 3,000 400 3,400 3,000 400 3,400 Total Income 549,800 90,500 640,300 561,900 87,000 648,900 Net Expenditure / (Income) 30,000 10,000 40,000 30,000 15,000 45,000 Reserve Balances General Reserves at 1 April 268,338 91,925 360,263 238,338 81,925 320,263 Use of Reserves Other (30,000) (10,000) (40,000) (30,000) (15,000) (45,000) Total Reserves at 31 March 238,338 81,925 320,263 208,338 66,925 275,263 Reserves as % of gross revenue spend 41% 82% 35% 66% Change in Net Requisition 1.3% -3.8% 0.5% 2.2% -3.9% 1.4% Net Requisition per Authority: City of Glasgow Council 68,350.00 29,927.79 98,277.79 69,862.50 28,765.23 98,627.73 North Lanarkshire Council 68,350.00 16,697.33 85,047.33 69,862.50 16,048.71 85,911.21 South Lanarkshire Council 68,350.00 15,917.03 84,267.03 69,862.50 15,298.72 85,161.22 East Dunbartonshire Council 68,350.00 5,391.86 73,741.86 69,862.50 5,182.40 75,044.90 West Dunbartonshire Council 68,350.00 4,684.62 73,034.62 69,862.50 4,502.64 74,365.14 East Renfrewshire Council 68,350.00 4,590.01 72,940.01 69,862.50 4,411.71 74,274.21 Inverclyde Council 68,350.00 4,169.41 72,519.41 69,862.50 4,007.45 73,869.95 Renfrewshire Council 68,350.00 8,721.95 77,071.95 69,862.50 8,383.14 78,245.64 546,800.00 90,100.00 636,900.00 558,900.00 86,600.00 645,500.00 Indicative Budget 2025/26 Revenue Estimates 2023/24 to 2025/26 ClydePlan and Green Network Partnership Indicative Budget 2024/25 Page 22 of 36
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Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority To: Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee On: 12th December 2022 Report by Stuart Tait, Manager Revised Draft National Planning Framework 4 1. Summary 1.1 The purpose of this report is for the Joint Committee to note the laying in Parliament by the Scottish Government of the Revised Draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) on 8th November 2022 and to consider the Clydeplan Core Team implications for staffing in support of the future delivery of the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) and wider city region joint working agenda. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Joint Committee are asked to consider the report and note the publication of the Revised Draft NPF4 and timetable for parliamentary scrutiny; the Scottish Government’s timetable for the preparation of RSS guidance; and, given upcoming retirements the intention to review the staffing structure of the Clydeplan Core Team to take account of the implications of the new regional and local planning duties arising from the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 and the wider city region joint working agenda and to note that a further report will be brought to a future meeting of the Joint Committee. 3. Context 3.1 The NPF4 is a long-term plan for Scotland to 2045 that sets out where development and infrastructure is needed. For the first time once approved it will form part of the statutory Development Plan along with the Local Development Plan. Item 4 Page 23 of 36
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3.2 In a regional context the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 set out a duty for one or more local authorities to prepare a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) though unlike its predecessor the Strategic Development Plan the RSS won’t form part of the statutory Development Plan. 4. Draft NPF4 Consultation 4.1 Consultation on the initial Draft NPF4 closed on 31st March 2022 with some 761 responses received, including the Joint Committee’s response. The responses were analysed by the Scottish Government who have prepared a 248 page explanatory document which sets out: the consultation undertaken; a summary of representations received; and the changes made to the Draft as a result of the consultation. 4.2 The explanatory note can be viewed at https://www.gov.scot/publications/national- planning-framework-4-explanatory-report/documents/ 5. Revised Draft NPF4 5.1 The Draft NPF4 consisted of 5 parts, namely Part 1 - A National Spatial Strategy for Scotland 2045; Part 2 - National Developments; Part 3 - National Planning Policy Handbook; Part 4 - Delivering Our Spatial Strategy; Part 5 - Annexes. 5.2 The Revised Draft NPF4 now consist of 3 parts Part 1 - A National Spatial Strategy for Scotland 2045; Part 2 - National Planning Policy; Part 3 - Annexes. 5.3 The Revised Draft NPF4 has now been laid (8th November 2022) in the Scottish Parliament for a period of parliamentary scrutiny. At the time of writing there had been two sessions of evidence given to the Local Government, Housing and Planning on the 22nd and 29th November 2022. The next stages are a) a debate by the Scottish Parliament and vote on with a view to be being ‘approved’ by Parliament (likely within the next few weeks); and. b) Scottish Ministers are to then ‘adopt’ and ‘publish’ NPF4 as soon as practically possible (likely to be January/February 2023). Page 24 of 36
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6. Revised Draft NPF4 6.1 The Revised Draft NPF4 consists of 3 parts namely; Part 1 - sets out a National Spatial Strategy for Scotland to 2045. The Strategy is based around sustainable places, liveable places, and productive places and sets out spatial principles and Regional Spatial Priorities for Scotland. In the context of the Glasgow City Region this is included as part of what is described as “Central” aimed at transforming and pioneering a new era of low carbon urban living. The Strategy will also guide the preparation of Regional Spatial Strategies, Local Development Plans and Local Place Plans as well as being relevant to wider policies and strategies relating to land use. It sets out the 18 National Developments which will support the Spatial Strategy. Part 2 - is the National Planning Policy consisting of 33 policies which set out the policies for the development and use of land which are to be applied in the preparation of local development plans; local place plans; masterplans and briefs; and for determining planning consents. This part should be taken as a whole, and Part 3 - consists of 7 Annexes (A) How to use the NPF; (B) National Developments Statement of Need; (C) Spatial planning priorities; (D) Six qualities of successful places; (E) Minimum all-tenure housing land requirements; and (F) Glossary of definitions and (G) Acronyms. Spatial Principles to 2045 6.2 The Revised Draft NPF4 sets out six overarching principles in relation to where development should be located remain the same, namely (1) Just transition - empower people to shape their places and ensure the transition to net zero is fair and inclusive. (2) Conserving and recycling assets - make productive use of existing buildings, places, infrastructure and services, locking in carbon, minimising waste, and building a circular economy. (3) Local living - support local liveability and improve community health and wellbeing by ensuring people can easily access services, greenspace, learning, work and leisure locally. (4) Compact urban growth - limit urban expansion so we can optimise the use of land to provide services and resources, including carbon storage, flood risk management, blue and green infrastructure and biodiversity. (5) Rebalanced development - target development to create opportunities for communities and investment in areas of past decline and manage development sustainably in areas of high demand. Page 25 of 36
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(6) Rural revitalisation - encourage sustainable development in rural areas, recognising the need to grow and support urban and rural communities together. 6.3 These spatial principles have underpinned the development of previous strategic plans for the Glasgow city region. Central - Spatial Priorities (previously the Central Urban Transformation Area) 6.4 This area broadly covers central Scotland from the Glasgow City Region and the Ayrshires in the west to Edinburgh City Region in the east, including the Tay Cities, the Forth Valley and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. 6.5 In terms of the priorities for the Central area in relation to the place agenda these are as follows to deliver sustainable place - Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Plans in this area should support net zero energy solutions including extended heat networks and improved energy efficiency, together with urban greening and improved low carbon transport; to deliver liveable places - Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Plans in this area should pioneer low carbon, resilient urban living by rolling out networks of 20 minute neighbourhoods, future proofing city and town centres, accelerating urban greening, investing in net zero homes, and managing development on the edge of settlements.; to deliver productive places - Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Plans in this area should target economic investment and build community wealth to overcome disadvantage and support a greener wellbeing economy. 6.6 The following National Developments will also support delivery of the spatial strategy for this area, namely: Pumped Hydro Storage (Scotland wide); Strategic Renewable Electricity Generation and Transmission Infrastructure (Scotland wide); Circular Economy Material Management Facilities (Scotland wide); Urban Sustainable, Blue and Green Drainage Solutions (Edinburgh and Glasgow) - ‘Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership’; Urban Mass/Rapid Transit Networks (Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow) - ‘Glasgow Metro’; Central Scotland Green Network (incorporating the Glasgow City Region Green Network); National Walking, Cycling and Wheeling Network (Scotland wide); Digital Fibre Network (Scotland wide); Clyde Mission; and, High Speed Rail. Page 26 of 36
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6.7 In the context of the above the Indicative Regional Spatial Strategy submitted in June 2020 by Clydeplan to support the development of the Draft NPF4, the regional spatial themes (housing, vacant and derelict land and sustainable connectivity) and key elements of the Spatial Investment Framework (Clyde Mission, Green Network, MGSDP), have all been reflected in the Revised Draft NPF4. Housing 6.8 As part of the development of the Revised Draft NPF4 all local authorities were asked to supply a 10 year Minimum All-Tenure Housing Land Requirement (MATHLR). For the City Region this process was undertaken by the Glasgow City Region Housing Market Partnership (HMP). 6.9 The figure for the City Region submitted by the HMP of 50,350 has not been amended in the Revised Draft NPF4. 6.10 It is still not clear if the Scottish Government’s approach to housing takes account of the Scottish Government’s Population Strategy (May 2021) which states that Scotland is precariously balanced, with depopulation threatening some of our areas particularly across the Islands and in the West, and rapid population growth in others, predominantly in the East. Local Authority 10 year Minimum All-Tenure Housing Land Requirement East Dunbartonshire 2500 East Renfrewshire 2800 Glasgow 21350 Inverclyde 1500 North Lanarkshire 7350 Renfrewshire 4900 South Lanarkshire 7850 West Dunbartonshire 2100 Glasgow City Region 50350 National Planning Policy 6.11 The Revised Draft NPF4 now contains 33 policies (previously 41) and split into 3 section ‘Sustainable Places (previously Distinctive Places’; ‘Liveable Places’ and ‘Productive Places’ previously 4 sections. Page 27 of 36
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6.12 The 33 subject based policies relate to: Sustainable Places Liveable Places Productive Places 1.Tackling the climate and nature crises 2. Climate mitigation and adaptation 3. Biodiversity 4. Natural places 5. Soils 6. Forestry, woodland and trees 7. Historic assets and places 8. Green belts 9. Brownfield land, vacant and derelict land and empty buildings 10. Coastal development 11. Energy 12. Zero waste 13. Sustainable transport 14. Design, quality and place 15. Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods 16. Quality homes 17. Rural homes 18. Infrastructure first 19. Heat and cooling 20. Blue and green infrastructure 21. Play, recreation and sport 22. Flood risk and water management 23. Health and Safety 24. Digital infrastructure 25. Community wealth building 26. Business and industry 27. City, town, local and commercial centres 28. Retail 29. Rural development 30. Tourism 31. Culture and creativity 32. Aquaculture 33. Minerals 6.3 The Clydeplan Topic Groups will be considering in detail the implications of the national planning policies and the opportunities for taking a consistent approach to their interpretation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation through the Local Development Plan and Development Management processes. Page 28 of 36
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7. Regional Spatial Strategies 7.1 The Revised Draft NPF4 sets out the role of Regional Spatial Strategies as part of the ‘plan led approach’ to planning namely; NPF - The NPF must have regard to any adopted regional spatial strategy. RSS - The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced a new duty requiring the preparation of regional spatial strategies. A planning authority, or authorities acting jointly will prepare these long-term spatial strategies for the strategic development of an area. RSS are not part of the statutory development plan but have an important role to play in informing future versions of the NPF and LDPs. LDP - Planning authorities must prepare an LDP which sets out a spatial strategy for the development of that area. It must take into account the National Planning Framework and any registered local place plan in the area it covers and it must have regard to the authority’s adopted Regional Spatial Strategy. 8. Delivery Programme 8.1 The Revised Draft NPF4 sets out a Delivery Programme and in relation to RSSs states that the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced a new approach to strategic planning which aims to stimulate innovation by encouraging more flexible and collaborative ways of working. 8.2 The new arrangements for strategic planning are expected to support better alignment with other strategies and decisions at a regional and sub-national scale. These place RSSs in a strong position for supporting the implementation of NPF4. 8.3 Consistent with the new statutory purpose of planning, RSSs will enable planning authorities to work with others to guide future long-term strategic development and use of land in the long-term public interest. They can provide a place-based strategy that guides future development across an area. 8.4 Key aspects could include identification of networks of regionally significant centres, and ensuring the spatial strategy identifies and responds to nationally and regionally recognised natural and historic areas and assets. 8.5 Throughout Scotland, places are coming together to develop Regional Economic Strategies underpinning City Region and Regional Growth Deals, Regional Economic Partnerships, Regional Land Use Partnerships, and to provide regional input to STPR2. RSSs have a crucial role to play in expressing the spatial ambitions of this work. 8.6 Work on preparing RSSs will be expected to begin once statutory guidance is in place. At this point support will be available to planning authorities. It is expected that the pace of preparation will vary across Scotland, depending on local and regional priorities. Work to prepare new LDPs will not be contingent on RSSs being either under preparation or in place. Page 29 of 36
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9. Regional Spatial Strategy Guidance 9.1 The Scottish Government has set out the following timetable in respect of the preparation of RSS guidance. Clydeplan continues to offer its support to the Scottish Government in the development of the RSS guidance. Theme Support measure Scottish Government (SG) role Delivery partner(s) Scottish Government (SG) next steps Short term action 2023 Medium term action 2024 - 2028 Delivery mechanisms (regulations and guidance) Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) SG responsible for guidance Stakeholder engagement including collaboration with HOPS and regional partners Progress drafting 10. Observations 10.1 The publication of the Revised Draft NPF4 is welcome as part of the implementation of the new Development Plan system though a clear timetable for the approval and publication of the NPF4 and related guidance and transitional arrangements would have been helpful. 10.2 It is also disappointing that the Minister has stated that there is no opportunity at this time to modify or amend the Revised Draft prior to its consideration by the Scottish Parliament. 10.3 The readability of the document particularly in terms of the relationship between the various elements of the document is much better in particular Table 1 and the cross-cutting outcomes and policy links sections. Additionally, definitions have been included in the Glossary of Definitions which are also helpful. 10.4 Despite the comments on Draft NPF4 from Clydeplan in this regard, the Revised Draft still has no Vision statement nor is there a clear demographic framework in support of the Scottish Government’s Population Strategy. The issue hinted at within the Population Strategy of east/west population imbalance does not appear to have been specifically addressed. Page 30 of 36
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10.5 With the introduction of more emphatic language including use of the word “will” within policies and the spatial principles the context for delivering the compact city model is greatly enhanced. This combined with Policy 8, Green Belts; Policy 9, Brownfield, vacant and derelict land and empty buildings; and the Policy 14 on Design, quality and place; Policy 15 Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods and Policy 16 Quality homes provides a potentially stronger context for resisting development on greenfield sites and promoting the reuse of previously used land and buildings. 10.6 The Central component of the National Spatial Strategy is intrinsically the same as that included in the Draft NPF4 though the document would have benefitted from the greater recognition of sub regional geographies and related issues and challenges within the Central Area and its related narrative. 10.7 There appears to be little recognition of cross boundary and cumulative impact issues and no reference of the important role for RSSs in potentially addressing such issues. 10.8 From an RSS perspective the timetable for the preparation of RSS guidance and the Scottish Government’s statement that “work on preparing RSSs will be expected to begin once statutory guidance is in place” seems to indicate that this may still be some time off which is disappointing in terms of the taking the new Development Plan system forward as matter of priority. 11. Clydeplan Core Team 11.1 The Clydeplan Core Team is the Joint Committee’s staffing resource which, on behalf of the eight local authorities will lead the development of the Regional Spatial Strategy. 11.2 The Core Team staffing structure comprises the following posts, namely Manager; Assistant Manager; 3 Strategic Planners (currently one vacancy); Planning Analyst; Administration Officer; and, Administration Assistant (part time). 11.3 The Clydeplan Manager also has line management responsibility for the Green Network Development Officer, Green Network Communications Officer (part time) and the Green Network Grassland and Wetland Development Lead (two year post). 11.4 The Clydeplan Manager and Assistant Manager have indicated that it is their intention to retire in April 2023 and December 2022 respectively. 11.5 As well as the new duty to prepare a RSS, the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 sets out a number of other additional duties on local authorities particularly in relation to Local Development Plans which the Clydeplan Core Team could provide a useful resource to support its local authorities. Page 31 of 36
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11.6 This could include opportunities for taking a consistent approach to their interpretation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation to the new national planning policies in NPF4 in addition to providing a regional land use evidence context alongside technical support in the form of data collection and GIS mapping. 11.7 In addition, the regional agenda through the auspices of Glasgow City Region, particularly in relation to economic development, is also developing and again the Clydeplan Core Team has a role to play in terms of setting out the spatial expression of the Regional Spatial Strategy and supporting the various city region thematic portfolios. 11.8 In light of the above, it is proposed that a review of the Clydeplan Core Team staffing structure is undertaken, led by the Chair of the Clydeplan Steering Group, to consider how the organisation can best support the new planning legislative and regional joint working agenda and that a further report is brought back to the Joint Committee at a future date. Page 32 of 36
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Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority To: Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee On: 12th December 2022 Report by Ally Corbett, Green Network Development Officer Partnership Working Towards Delivery of the Green Network Blueprint 1. Introduction 1.1 This report is to update the Joint Committee on progress towards delivery of the Green Network ‘Blueprint’ and other strategic work relating to the Glasgow City Region Green Network. 2. Recommendation 2.1 It is recommended that the Joint Committee consider and note the report. 3. Background 3.1 The twin and interlinked Climate and Ecological Crises have never had a higher public and political focus. This is reflected in the emphasis placed on them in the Revised Draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the suite of supporting guidance and strategies such as the emerging Local Development Plan (LDP) guidance and Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. 3.2 Nature Networks, Active Travel Networks and overarching Green Networks are cited as an effective response to the crises in these documents, particularly when considered at a landscape scale. That welcome focus however comes with a range of new requirements placed, in particular, upon local authorities. Working strategically and regionally, the Glasgow City Region Green Network is therefore ideally placed to support partners in meeting these new requirements and, where appropriate developing a consistent, regional approach. The Green Network Blueprint continues to be a key mechanism to inform this work. 3.3 To better understand the issues and opportunities for partners associated with the new policy landscape, and how Clydeplan/Green Network officers can best support them, sessions have been held with the Clydeplan Environment Topic Group and the Green Network Strategic Environment Partnership. These were extremely useful discussions to help frame our future Work Plan and are expanded upon below. Item 5 Page 33 of 36
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4. Strategic Environment Partnership (SEP) 4.1 SEP has continued to meet over the course of the year with positive engagement and feedback from partners. However, we are now entering a new phase of strategic and local planning and this presented an opportune time to review and refine the role and function of SEP, as well as to seek partners’ views on the future Work Plan of the Green Network team. 4.2 A facilitated session was held for SEP partners on 16th November 2022 to work through the points highlighted above. 4.3 In summary, partners value the work of and support from the Green Network team with some key areas of work identified where expertise and future support should be targeted. These included: Developing Regional Nature Networks and a consistent approach to Biodiversity Net Gain from development; Integrating Active Travel and Green Active Travel Networks; 20 Minute Neighbourhoods; and, Open Space Audits and Strategies and Play Sufficiency Assessments. 4.4 Partners also expressed a wish to investigate the potential for landscape scale projects across multiple authorities that would deliver on multiple outcomes, recognising that this may be attractive to external public and private funders. This will be a key strand of the team’s future work plan. 4.5 Lastly, partners suggested that SEP should evolve again, moving from quarterly reporting meetings to task based sub groups considering particular NPF/LDP works streams. This would facilitate development of collective approaches and sharing of best practice, making best use of officers’ capacity. The wider SEP group would meet once annually (with additional meetings if required) to review the work of sub groups and to set future strategic direction. 5. Blueprint Delivery 5.1 The Blueprint comprises two core elements: (a) Strategic Access Network - a network of routes completely separated from traffic, using greenspace and green corridors that provide an attractive option for making every day journeys (b) Strategic Habitat Network based on four habitat types: woodland; peatland; wetland; and, grassland. 5.2 Progress towards securing the capacity, specialist skills and resources required for delivery of each of the elements is described below. Page 34 of 36
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5.3 Strategic Access Network - While there is significant funding available for active travel delivery, it has proven difficult to attract the funding for new staff dedicated to developing the Strategic Access Network to the point where it has deliverable projects. The national and regional active travel delivery landscape is also extremely crowded with multiple strategic players such SUSTRANS, SPT, Living Streets, Paths for All, Nature Scot and local authorities. 5.4 This raises a fundamental question on how the Green Network team can best deploy its limited resources to best effect in terms of active travel. This question was posed to SEP partners at the recent workshop and we were given a very clear steer that our time should be dedicated to ensuring the Green Network and the Blueprint are fully embedded in the new suite of Regional and Local Transport and Active Travel Strategies. Our approach now will therefore be to seek early engagement with partners in Active Travel Strategy development as and when the timing is right, and to influence the content and action plans of those documents. 5.5 Strategic Habitat Network - progress towards each of the habitat network strands is described below: Peatland - The role of peatland restoration in contributing to the drive for Net Zero, and to flood mitigation, is well recognised. It is also a UK and Scottish priority habitat and therefore the case is strong for targeting effort and resources at the significant areas of peatland within the Glasgow and Clyde Valley. The Green Network launched the Clyde Peatlands initiative at the Glasgow City Region Cabinet in June to coincide with the recruitment of 2 new Peatland Officers funded through the Scottish Government’s Peatland ACTION Fund, administered by NatureScot. The posts were to be hosted by South Lanarkshire Council on behalf of City Region Partners but unfortunately, we were unable to recruit. This did however allow a period of review and it was decided in discussion with partners to combine the two posts into a single, longer-term and higher grade post. This time the post will be hosted by Clydeplan/Green Network greatly simplifying the management structure. The post will initially be advertised until April 2025 thanks to Clydeplan underwriting an additional year to the contract as agreed by the Joint Committee in September. It is very likely that NatureScot will extend the post for a further year when the next round of Scottish Government funding is secured. The post will be advertised in the next two weeks. The Clyde Peatlands launch generated a great deal of interest and requests for assistance. In the interim a substantial portfolio of potential project work has been collated which will allow the new officer to hit the ground running. Page 35 of 36
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Grassland and Wetland - The new Green Network Development Officer, funded for two years through Clydeplan reserves as agreed by the Joint Committee, joined the team in April with the specific remit of driving forward the grassland and wetland elements of the Blueprint. Both of these habitat types have far less dedicated funding than woodland and peatland and are therefore more difficult to progress. However, we currently await the decision on a Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund application for developing a regional grassland network. If successful, this will give us the tools we need for public and private sector engagement and to make the case for substantial delivery funding. The Development Officer has also been working with East Dunbartonshire Council on a pilot wetland project in the Kelvin Valley, spanning into neighbouring North Lanarkshire and Glasgow. The project will seek to maximise the biodiversity, flood management and visitor benefits of a strategic wetland network, and the work has just been awarded £50,000 from the Shared Prosperity Fund. We hope to use this as a pilot that can be learned from and replicated elsewhere in the City Region. There is a strong correlation between the work described above and the development of Nature Networks as required by NPF. The SEP workshop gave a strong steer that some of the new Development Officer’s time should be directed to supporting this workstream at the appropriate time. Woodland - As previously reported to the Joint Committee, the woodland element of the Blueprint is being driven forward by the Clyde Climate Forest (CCF). After a difficult period with loss of staff, CCF is now making significant progress on each of its 3 strands of work: (i) urban tree canopy cover, (ii) rural planting for climate change and (iii) woodland habitat connectivity. In addition to its core staff the CCF is now supported by seconded officers from the Green Action Trust and Trees for Cities. CCF continues to report to the Green Network on progress towards Blueprint delivery through SEP. 6 Glasgow City Region 6.1 The Glasgow City Region Land Use and Sustainability Portfolio Group (LUS) is an important forum to the Green Network in which to report on progress. It provides valuable exposure for the Green Network team’s work to senior officers as well as support and guidance. 6.2 In addition to reporting to the quarterly LUS meetings, the Green Network Development Officer attends fortnightly meetings with the LUS Chair, East Dunbartonshire’s Chief Executive, and other senior officers, to discuss work programmes and other pertinent business. These meetings provide a valuable sounding board for ideas. Page 36 of 36