Agenda Document Pack - Climate Change and Sustainability Committee - 24/08/2022
Perth and Kinross Council · 24 August 2022
Back to Climate Change and Sustainability Committee — 24 August 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Securing the future… • Improving services • Enhancing quality of life • Making the best use of public resources Council Building 2 High Street Perth PH1 5PH 17/08/2022 A hybrid meeting of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee will be held in the Council Chambers (Hybrid) on Wednesday, 24 August 2022 at 10:00. If you have any queries please contact Committee Services on (01738) 475000 or email Committee@pkc.gov.uk. THOMAS GLEN Chief Executive Those attending the meeting are requested to ensure that all notifications are silent on their device and other devices are in silent mode. Please note that the meeting will be broadcast online and recorded. The recording will be publicly available on the Council’s website following the meeting. Members: Councillor Richard Watters (Convener) Councillor Liz Barrett (Vice-Convener) Councillor Hugh Anderson Councillor Dave Cuthbert Councillor David Illingworth Councillor Noah Khogali Councillor Grant Laing Councillor Tom McEwan Councillor Crawford Reid Councillor Jack Welch Page 1 of 48
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Climate Change and Sustainability Committee Wednesday, 24 August 2022 AGENDA MEMBERS ARE REMINDED OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO DECLARE ANY FINANCIAL OR NON-FINANCIAL INTEREST WHICH THEY MAY HAVE IN ANY ITEM ON THIS AGENDA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCILLORS’ CODE OF CONDUCT. 1 WELCOME AND APOLOGIES/SUBSTITUTES 2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 3 PRESENTATION - CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN UPDATE Presentation by Divindy Grant, Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team Leader 4 INTRODUCTION OF CHARGING FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES Report by Head of Planning and Development (copy herewith 22/191) 5 - 22 5 NATURE RESTORATION FUND 2022-23 Report by Head of Planning and Development (copy herewith 22/192) 23 - 48 Page 3 of 48
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL Climate Change and Sustainability Committee 24 August 2022 Introduction of Charging for Electric Vehicles Head of Planning & Development (Report No. 22/191) PURPOSE 1.1 This report invites members to consider the issues associated with the Council’s current and future Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and to approve the introduction of tariffs to recover the energy and support costs of providing this service. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee:- • notes the work undertaken to review potential options for charging. • approves Option 3 and the recommended tariffs set out below with an introduction date of 1 January 2023. • requests that the Executive Director (Communities) keep tariff rates under review during the year, with delegation to amend the tariff to ensure that future costs continue to be recovered, alongside an annual review to be undertaken as part of the budget process. 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: • Section 4: Background/Main Issues • Section 5: Proposals • Section 6: Conclusion • Appendices 4. BACKGROUND / MAIN ISSUES Strategic context & Background Why is EV important: 4.1 Wider strategic emission targets are set both nationally through the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan, and locally through the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan to decarbonise the transport network. The increased transition to electric vehicles and the necessary increase in charging points 4 Page 5 of 48
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will play a key role in achieving these targets. However, the costs associated with operating, and maintaining, this infrastructure are anticipated to continue to increase. Until relatively recently, electric vehicles were seen as a niche part of the overall transport network with a very limited choice in vehicles. However, that is not now the case, with most major mainstream vehicle producers planning for the growth of the EV market. Preliminary work as part of the Climate Change Action Plan has identified the growth in Electric Vehicles as crucial in achieving wider targets for transport emissions. Existing Revenue Costs: 4.2 While initially the provision of free charging was encouraged by the Scottish Government to incentivise the early adoption of electric vehicles, continuing to cover the costs of the electricity consumed, along with ongoing maintenance costs, will create an unsustainable pressure on the Council budget. The standalone costs solely for facilitating EV charging infrastructure for the financial year 2021/22 was approximately £120k with estimated electricity supply costs for 2022/23 currently projected to be in the region of £230k. It is likely, given the issues with energy costs in all sectors of the market and with additional electric vehicles on the network, these costs will only increase. Capital Funding for charging facilities: 4.3 To date, the Council’s publicly available EV facilities have been funded through the Scottish Government’s Local Authority Installation Capital Grant Programme which is now no longer available. In January 2022, the Scottish Government published its Draft Vision for Scotland’s Public Electric Vehicle Network and launched a new fund for local authorities to bid into. From this fund, the Council has been awarded an initial £60k to develop a public electric vehicle charging Strategy and Infrastructure Expansion Plan. This will form the basis of future funding bids to the Scottish Futures Trust’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund. 4.4 The availability, accessibility and reliability of EV charging facilities must progress in line with increasing customer demand. Given the very varied geography across the Council area, careful planning and consideration will be given to serve the residents of all our communities. This is to ensure that no community or area is disadvantaged, especially where there is no private operator provision. This is an area of work that will be taken forward over the coming months. Collaborative Working: 4.5 In recognition of the cross-boundary issues of EV charging, Perth & Kinross Council is working with regional partners through the development of a Regional EV Strategy published in November 2019 by TACTRAN (the Regional Transport Partnership for Angus, Dundee City, Perth & Kinross and Stirling Council areas). This is to deliver EV charging infrastructure in a coordinated and collaborative way. Page 6 of 48
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4.6 The Regional EV Strategy, Regional EV Delivery Plan, Baseline Report and Demand Forecast are available to download from the TACTRAN website. 4.7 Discussions have taken place with partner organisations at the Regional EV Steering Group, which included Transport Scotland. These have confirmed that a move towards charging would be welcomed at a strategic level. 4.8 It should be noted that under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, Scottish Local Authorities are not permitted to make profit. Therefore, any potential revenue generated over the direct costs associated with the provision of the EV chargers and energy will need to be reinvested in the network. A stable funding stream to support asset investment & maintenance is crucial to ensure network reliability and to build users’ confidence to allow the switch to low carbon travel. Private network operators: 4.9 There are now several national charge points operators (CPOs) with locations within Perth & Kinross and the wider region. All operate on a single cost per kWh, ranging from around 28p – 70p per kWh, with some offering discounts as part of a subscription model and some offering free charging at certain sites on lower powered chargers (e.g. supermarkets). 4.10 Most commercial networks offer differential rates depending on charge point output rates, with lower costs for low powered (7-22kW) and higher costs associated with rapid/ultra-rapid chargers (50-350kW). 4.11 Perth has already benefited from significant investment from ultra-rapid private charge point network operators, with Ionity (4x350kW), Tesla (12 x 150kW), BP Pulse (3x150kW) all already offering 150kW-350kW charging. Gridserve has recently announced its intention to construct a hub at Perth Dobbies. 4.12 Transport Scotland have also confirmed that approaches have been made to the private sector to assume greater responsibility for installation, operation and maintenance of public EV charge points as well as accepting any potential revenue risk. 4.13 This could be achieved, for example, through 5-to-10-year concession-type agreements with local authorities and other public sector partners. This is clearly an avenue of interest to the Council in future discussions. 4.14 However, to ensure continued investment from the private sector, it is important that realistic costs are charged for public charging, to ensure that a business case can be made for future private sector investment. In reality, it is likely, there will be very limited private sector interest in investing in EV facilities if the public sector continue to offer low or discounted tariff levels. Page 7 of 48
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Other Local Authorities: 4.15 There are currently a wide range of tariffs and associated charges across Scotland’s local authority areas for EV charging and full details of all Scottish Local Authority tariffs are shown in Appendix 2. Dundee City Council also offer a discounted rate for their residents of 15p/kWh on non-rapid chargers (7-22kW), although this is a subsidised arrangement. PKC operational arrangements: 4.16 The Council owned assets (as detailed in Appendix 1) are all administered by Charge Place Scotland (CPS). This was set up by Transport Scotland who provide this service for all local authorities in Scotland as well as private sector businesses which have installed charge points through Transport Scotland funding streams. 4.17 This provides the administrative back office, including tariff setting and invoicing of users who receive an invoice monthly for all usage across the CPS network. Administrative costs associated with the CPS network will continue to be paid by Transport Scotland up until 2025. The arrangements beyond this period are unknown. However, if future costs have to be met by the Council, this will need to be incorporated within an amended tariff level. 4.18 The historical usage data of the Council’s charge points is shown in Table 1 below and it highlights the significant growth in use since the first charge points were installed in 2013.The data for the first six months of 2022 show that this trend of significant growth is likely to continue. Table 1 - PKC Charge Point Usage Year Total Charging Sessions Total kWh Consumption Average Consumption per Charging Session (kWh) 2013 (Jan - Dec) 252 2,027 8.04 2014 (Jan - Dec) 1,862 16,431 8.82 2015 (Jan - Dec) 3,962 34,318 8.66 2016 (Jan - Dec) 9,525 92,314 9.69 2017 (Jan - Dec) 16,097 169,907 10.56 2018 (Jan - Dec) 24,240 264,219 10.90 2019 (Jan - Dec) 37,385 414,292 11.08 2020 (Jan - Dec) 32,798 437,642 13.34 2021 (Jan - Dec) 50,307 818,524 16.27 2022 (Jan - Jun) 42,971 806,312 18.76 5. PROPOSALS 5.1 A comprehensive review of charging options as part of this report has been undertaken, looking at both the existing tariffs and associated charges levied by both the public and private sector CPOs. The Electric Vehicle Association Page 8 of 48
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for Scotland (EVAS), a community interest company set up to represent the views of EV users, have published guidance on setting of tariffs which has been referred to during the review. 5.2 To continue to support the uptake of EVs, it is important that a simple and fair system is adopted if the public are to have the confidence to make the move to EVs. The range of vehicles and charge points available and the variety of access methods means the transition to EVs can be confusing. It is likely an overly complex tariff structure will exacerbate this, potentially alienating users and increasing administration for the Council. 5.3 While it is likely that charging electric vehicles at home will play an increasingly important part as the market develops (which the Council will encourage), it is important to note that many residents will not have off street parking available or stay in flatted developments which are not conducive to home charging. This is an area of work that will need to be taken forward to ensure that potential electric vehicle owners are not penalised. Charge Place Scotland have indicated that the back office system will soon be able to offer differential tariffs which will have the potential to allow residents to take advantage of cheaper off peak energy usage and also allow more targeted overstay fees that would allow residents to charge overnight without incurring penalty fees. Options for Charging: 5.4 From the review undertaken as part of this paper, there are three main options for charging for the use of EV charge points: • Option 1 - Fixed rate: A single rate is charged regardless of amount of electricity consumed • Option 2 - Fixed rate plus energy charge: A fixed rate/connection fee is charged to use the charge point and customers are also charged per unit of electricity consumed • Option 3 – Charge based on energy use only: Customers are charged per unit of electricity consumed, which could have a minimum charge. 5.5 Option 1, while offering a simple option, is not considered appropriate as this would unduly penalise vehicles with smaller batteries and unduly influence driver behaviour. This option was initially introduced by several local authorities but has subsequently been dropped in favour of a metered tariff. 5.6 A considerable number of local authorities have opted for Option 2 and introduced “connection charges” that apply in addition to the energy costs. However, this is not the approach adopted by the private sector who have adopted a single per kWh charge. 5.7 A connection, or standing charge, is also not something that is recommended by the Electric Vehicle Association of Scotland, who advocate a minimum charge with costs based on energy used. A connection charge can unduly influence behaviour whereby users stay on charge longer than they would Page 9 of 48
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otherwise to minimise the impact of the standing charge on the overall cost. It also can unfairly penalise users with more affordable vehicles which typically have smaller batteries which require more frequent but shorter charging sessions. 5.8 However, an alternative is to adopt a minimum charge to ensure that administrative and other costs associated with a charging session are covered. This is similar to traditional liquid fuel sales where a minimum amount is always charged Preferred Option: 5.9 Having considered the available cost recovery options, it is recommended that Option 3 offers the most equitable and flexible charging model for both the user and the Council, while being simple and transparent for drivers. 5.10 Incorporating all cost elements (energy, maintenance and administrative) into the cost per unit of electricity consumed allows for full cost recovery to be borne equally by all customers based on actual usage. However, there are significant additional costs, including network capacity charges, associated with the provision of rapid (50kW) charging which should be reflected in the tariff for these units. This price differential will also encourage drivers to use the slower chargers, wherever possible, to retain rapid charging availability for users that require it. 5.11 The Council benefits from significant purchasing power for energy with the actual rate paid dependant on time of day and other factors. The current rate paid ranges from around 10p/kWh to 20p/kWh. This compares with the April 2022 price cap rate for domestic customers of approx. 28p/kWh. 5.12 It is also recognised that there is a requirement for overstay fees to manage demand for chargers. This is to avoid the situation where a user remains plugged into a unit beyond the time required to charge the vehicle, thereby blocking the charger for other users. This approach to demand management is supported by the Electric Vehicle Association Scotland and has been adopted across other authorities. 5.13 Firstly, if the Charger is located in a Council controlled car park where charging for parking is required, then any length of stay is related to the parking fee and associated time limit. However, if an EV user enters the car park, to ensure a faster turnaround, it is proposed for a rapid charger (50Kw) to limit the stay to 1hour with an overstay fee of £10. If the user would like to stay in the car park, they will need to move to another space. Similarly for less powerful 22kw chargers, it is proposed to limit the stay to 3 hours with a similar overstay fee of £10. 5.14 Secondly, if the charger is located in a Council car park with no parking charges, then currently a single EV user could in effect use the facility for most of the day without penalty. In that event, we would impose a time charge on any EV charging use as set out above. As with the Council car parks, where parking charges are in place an overstay fee of £10 would be Page 10 of 48
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applied. The overstay fees in all charging locations will be administered as part of the back-office system. 5.15 Using Option 3 as the basis for charging, it is proposed that the tariffs and overstay fees initially be set as follows. The tariffs have been done in cognisance of other local authority charge rates and in consultation with the Council’s Property and Energy colleagues. Table 2 – proposed tariff Charger Type Energy Cost Overstay Fee AC charging (7-22kW) 30p per kWh – minimum £1 £10 after 3 hours Rapid charging (43kW+) 35p per kWh – minimum £1 £10 after 1 hour 5.16 It is proposed that these tariffs be introduced from 1 January 2023. This will allow time for the back-office administration systems to be set up, appropriate signage to be installed and information provided to drivers and users through our communication channels. 5.17 It is recognised that introducing tariffs may have an impact on the usage of the Council’s charge points. As a result, it is, therefore, recommended that regular reviews and monitoring are undertaken to ensure that the rates remain appropriate to recover costs. Members are therefore asked to delegate this authority to the Executive Director of Communities. This will allow the Council to maintain and improve the existing network but importantly make it more accessible and financially sustainable as the growth in the number of electric vehicles on the network continues. There will also be the annual review as part of the Council’s budget setting process. 6. CONCLUSION 6.1 The increased transition to electric vehicles and the necessary increase in charging points will play a key role in achieving these targets. However, the costs associated with operating and maintaining this infrastructure are anticipated to continue to increase. As a result, and in line with other local authorities, the introduction of charging is being recommended. Considerable work has been undertaken on three options, looking at practice elsewhere and taking into account the expertise offered by the Electric Vehicle Association of Scotland. It would be intended, if approved, to introduce charges on 1 January 2023 to allow for signage installation and a communications campaign. Page 11 of 48
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Authors Name Designation Contact Details Alex Deans Niall Moran Transportation & Development Team Leader Transportation & Development Project Officer (01738) 475000 ComCommitteeReports@pkc.gov.uk Approved Name Designation Date Barbara Renton Executive Director (Communities) 12 August 2022 APPENDICES • Appendix 1 – PKC EV Charge Point Assets • Appendix 2 – Scottish Local Authority Tariffs Page 12 of 48
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ANNEX 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes / None Community Plan / Single Outcome Agreement No Corporate Plan No Resource Implications Financial Yes Workforce Yes Asset Management (land, property, IST) Yes Assessments Equality Impact Assessment No Strategic Environmental Assessment No Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) Yes Legal and Governance Yes Risk Yes Consultation Internal Yes External Yes Communication Communications Plan Yes 1. Strategic Implications Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement 1.1 N/A. Corporate Plan 1.2 N/A. 2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 The development and growth of the number of Electric Vehicles on local roads has been relatively recent. While all installations in Perth and Kinross were funded via the Scottish Government, there was a request in order to incentivise EV ownership to make charging costs free. However, we are now at a point where the number of vehicles and the number of charging stations is putting considerable pressure on the Council’s budget. This clearly is not sustainable in the long term. The Council are seeking, through the charges, cost recovery which includes the costs of charging while addressing the need to maintain and develop new infrastructure. Page 13 of 48
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Workforce 2.2 The growth in this area has meant existing staff having to take on additional duties. However, as part of the Council’s Budget setting for 2022/23, a new Post of EV Infrastructure Project Officer has been created. Asset Management (land, property, IT) 2.3 The Council will ultimately operate, own and maintain both existing and any new EV related infrastructure. The cost recovery element of the new charging regime will allow costs which are currently borne by the Council to be removed. 3. Equality Impact Assessment 3.1 Under the Equality Act 2010, the Council must eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between equality groups. Carrying out Equality Impact Assessments (EqIA) for plans and policies allows the Council to show that it is meeting these duties. 3.2 The EV Tariffs proposals have been considered under the Council’s Integrated Appraisal Toolkit. No impacts on equality were identified and the document was assessed as not relevant for the purposes of EqIA. A full EqIA was not needed. 3.3 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to identify and assess the environmental consequences of its proposals. However, no action is required as the Act does not apply to the matters presented in this report. This is because the Committee are requested to note the contents of the report only and the Committee are not being requested to approve, adopt or agree to an action or to set the framework for future decisions. Sustainability 3.4 Under the provisions of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 the Council has to discharge its duties in a way which contributes to the achievement of sustainable development. Under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 the Council also has a duty relating to climate change and, in exercising its functions must act: • in the way best calculated to delivery of the Act’s emissions reduction targets; • in the way best calculated to deliver any statutory adaptation programmes; and • in a way that it considers most sustainable. Page 14 of 48
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3.5 The proposals introduce a more financially sustainable way of making sure infrastructure which is required for the development and growth of Electric Vehicles is in place. As set out in national and local climate strategies the growth of EV is crucial in achieving in our wider transport emission targets. Legal and Governance 3.6 The necessary signage which will need to be in place as part of the required statutory orders in the car parks or on any public road will be in place prior to the introduction of charges. This will include any new or amended orders to current signs. 3.7 There is no impediment to charging for the use of the EV infrastructure. The Scottish Government have actively encouraged charging as the market has begun to develop to a point of maturity. It is analogous to traditional methods of fuel sales. Risk 3.8 The Council has been providing electricity for EV users free of charge up to this point. This has obviously been a benefit for most current EV users. We will as part of our wider Communications strategy explain the reasoning and the financial requirements for the reasons behind the introduction of charging. 4. Consultation Internal 4.1 A full Communication Strategy will be undertaken prior to the implementation of charges. Colleagues from Property and Finance have been involved in the preparation of this report. External 4.2 As above. 5. Communication 5.1 This will be developed subject to the approval of charges by the Elected Members in association with our Communications team. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 2.1 None. Page 15 of 48
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APPENDIX 1 Perth & Kinross Council EV Charge Points CHARGER ID LOCATION CHARGING SPEED USAGE 50283 PERTH, BROXDEN PARK & RIDE 22kW AC PUBLIC 50284 PERTH, BROXDEN PARK & RIDE 22kW AC PUBLIC 50285 PERTH, BROXDEN PARK & RIDE 22kW AC PUBLIC 50275 PERTH, FRIARTON DEPOT 7kW AC COUNCIL 50276 PERTH, SOUTH INCH CAR PARK 22kW AC PUBLIC 50277 PERTH, SOUTH INCH CAR PARK 22kW AC PUBLIC 50278 PERTH, SOUTH INCH CAR PARK 22kW AC PUBLIC 50286 PERTH, BROXDEN PARK & RIDE 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 50245 PERTH, BROXDEN PARK & RIDE 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 50279 KINROSS, KINROSS PARK & RIDE 22kW AC PUBLIC 50280 KINROSS, KINROSS PARK & RIDE 22kW AC PUBLIC 50281 PITLOCHRY, RIE-ACHAN ROAD CAR PARK 22kW AC PUBLIC 50282 PITLOCHRY, RIE-ACHAN ROAD CAR PARK 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 50575 PERTH, SOUTH INCH CAR PARK 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 50995 ABERFELDY, MONESS TERRACE CAR PARK 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 50994 BLAIRGOWRIE, LESLIE STREET CAR PARK 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 50993 CRIEFF, KING STREET CAR PARK 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 50745 KINROSS, KINROSS PARK & RIDE 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 51250 AUCHTERARDER, CROWN INN WYND CAR PARK 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 51249 DUNKELD, ATHOLL STREET CAR PARK 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 51318 PERTH, CANAL STREET CAR PARK 7kW AC COUNCIL 51319 PERTH, CANAL STREET CAR PARK 7kW AC COUNCIL 51320 PERTH, CANAL STREET CAR PARK 7kW AC COUNCIL 51321 PERTH, CANAL STREET CAR PARK 7kW AC COUNCIL 51492 PERTH, CANAL STREET CAR PARK 20kW DC/22kW AC PUBLIC 51493 PERTH, CANAL STREET CAR PARK 20kW DC/22kW AC PUBLIC 50811 ABERFELDY, MONESS TERRACE CAR PARK 22kW AC PUBLIC 50813 CRIEFF, KING STREET CAR PARK 22kW AC PUBLIC 51516 KINROSS, KINROSS PARK & RIDE 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 51519 PERTH, BROXDEN PARK & RIDE 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 50297 PITLOCHRY, RIE-ACHAN ROAD CAR PARK 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 51517 PERTH, FRIARTON DEPOT 50kW DC/43kW AC COUNCIL 50838 PERTH, MILL STREET 20kW DC/22kW AC PUBLIC 50839 PERTH, MILL STREET 20kW DC/22kW AC PUBLIC 4 Page 17 of 48
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51261 ALYTH, MARKET SQUARE 22kW AC PUBLIC 52942 BROICH ROAD RECYCLING CENTRE, CRIEFF 22kW AC COUNCIL 52943 FRIARTON DEPOT, PERTH 22kW AC COUNCIL 52945 BLAIRGOWRIE DEPOT, BLAIRGOWRIE 22kW AC COUNCIL 53364 THE SQUARE, STANLEY 22kW AC PUBLIC 53365 BANNERFIELD CAR PARK, KIRKMICHAEL 22kW AC PUBLIC 53685 KINROSS DEPOT 22kW AC COUNCIL 53686 CANAL STREET 7kW AC COUNCIL 52747 LEADENFLOWER CAR PARK, CRIEFF 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 52944 SCHOOL ROAD, COMRIE 22kW AC PUBLIC 52946 STIRLING ROAD, MILNATHORT 22kW AC PUBLIC 54266 JAMES SQUARE, CRIEFF 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 54244 LESLIE STREET, BLAIRGOWRIE 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 52987 MADOCH CENTRE, ST. MADOES 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC 52748 COMMERCIAL STREET, COUPAR ANGUS 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC THE SQUARE, KINLOCH RANNOCH 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC INVERALMOND DEPOT 50kW DC COUNCIL PERTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL 50kW DC COUNCIL PERTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL 22kW AC COUNCIL PERTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL 22kW AC COUNCIL PITLOCHRY, RIE-ACHAN ROAD CAR PARK 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC PITLOCHRY, RIE-ACHAN ROAD CAR PARK 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC PITLOCHRY, RIE-ACHAN ROAD CAR PARK 22kW AC PUBLIC AUCHTERARDER, CROWN INN WYND CAR PARK 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC AUCHTERARDER, CROWN INN WYND CAR PARK 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC AUCHTERARDER, CROWN INN WYND CAR PARK 22kW AC PUBLIC DUNKELD, ATHOLL STREET CAR PARK 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC DUNKELD, ATHOLL STREET CAR PARK 50kW DC/43kW AC PUBLIC Page 18 of 48
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Appendix 2 Scottish Local Authority Tariffs Local Authority Tariff Name Tariff Details Aberdeen City Council 7kW tariff 22kW tariff 50kW tariff £0.19 per kWh with a connection fee of £0.38. Aberdeenshire Council 7kW tariff 11kW tariff 22kW tariff 50kW tariff £0.21 per kWh. Angus Council 7kW tariff 22kW tariff 50kW tariff £0.23 per kWh on all chargers Argyll & Bute Council 7 kW tariff 22 kW tariff 50 kW tariff £0.26 per kWh with a minimum charge of £1.80 £0.26 per kWh with a minimum charge of £1.80 there is an overstay fee of £30 charged after 4 hours £0.26 per kWh with a minimum charge of £1.80 there is an overstay fee of £30 charged after 2 hours Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar 7 kW Tariff 22 kW Tariff 50 kW Tariff £0.20 per kW with a minimum charge of £1.00. £0.20 per kW with a minimum charge of £1.00, there is an overstay fee of £5.00 after 4 Hours. £0.20 per kW with a minimum charge of £1.00, there is an overstay fee of £5.00 after 1.5 hours. Dumfries and Galloway Council 7 kW tariff 22 kW tariff 50 kW tariff £0.25 per kWh, with a £1.50 minimum charge Dundee City Council 7 kW tariff 22 kW tariff 50 kW tariff £0.20 per kWh with a connection fee of £0.38. Overstay fee of £10 if session exceeds 190 minutes. Dundee City Council offer a subsidised residents rate of 15p/kWh for 7-22kW charging £0.25 per kWh with a connection fee of £0.38. Overstay fee of £10 if session exceeds 70 minutes. Overstay fees will not apply at multi-storey car parks – Greenmarket, Gellatly Street & Olympia 4 Page 19 of 48
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Local Authority Tariff Name Tariff Details East Lothian Council 7 kW 22 kW 50 kW 150 kW £0.16 per kWh with a £1.00 minimum fee per session. £0.30 per kWh with a £1.00 minimum fee per session. Overstay fee of £30.00 applies if charging exceeds 75 minutes. Falkirk Council 7 kW tariff 22 kW tariff 50 kW tariff £0.25 per kWh with a minimum charge of £1.00. £0.25 per kWh with a minimum charge of £1.00 there is an overstay fee of £5.00 charged after four hours. (10 min grace period). £0.25 per kWh with a minimum charge of £1.00 there is an overstay fee of £5.00 charged after one hour. (10 min grace period). Fife Council 7 kW tariff 22 kW tariff 50 kW tariff Tariff Charge is £0.15 per kWh with a connection fee of £1.60 Tariff Charge is £0.15 per kWh with a connection fee of £1.60 Tariff Charge is £0.15 per kWh with a connection fee of £1.60 Inverclyde Council 7 kW tariff 22 kW Tariff 50 kW tariff £0.20 per kWh on units up to 22kW with a £1.00 connection fee. £0.30 per kWh on rapid units with a £1.00 connection fee. Midlothian Council 7 kW tariff 11 kW tariff 22 kW tariff 50 kW tariff Tariff Rate is £1.00 minimum charge and £0.16 per kW Tariff Rate is £1.00 minimum charge and £0.16 per kW Tariff Rate is £1.00 minimum charge and £0.16 per kW Tariff Rate is £1.00 minimum charge and £0.30 per kW an automatic overstay fee of £1.00 applies if charging exceeds 60 minutes Moray Council – £0.28 per kWh, minimum charge £1.00 Orkney Island Council 7 kW tariff 11 kW tariff 22 kW tariff £0.20 per kWh, with a £1.00 minimum charge. There is a £5.00 overstay fee if charging exceeds 3 hours Page 20 of 48
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Local Authority Tariff Name Tariff Details Rapid tariff £0.25 per kWh with a £2.00 minimum charge. There is a £5.00 overstay fee if charging exceeds 1 hour Scottish Borders Council 7 kW tariff 22 kW tariff 50 kW tariff £0.16 per kWh, minimum charge £1.00 £0.30 per kWh, minimum charge £1.00. Overstay fee of £1.00 per minute applies after 45 minutes (capped £20 max)(10 minute grace period) No return within 90 minutes the City of Edinburgh Council 7 kW tariff 22 kW tariff 50 kW tariff £0.25 per kWh, £1.00 minimum charge. £30 overstay fee applies after 12 hours £0.30 per kWh, £1.00 minimum charge. £30 overstay fee applies after 3 hours £0.35 per kWh, £1.00 minimum charge. £30 overstay fee applies after 30 minutes The Highland Council 7kW/22kW tariff 50 kW tariff £0.20 per kWh with a minimum charge of £1.00 £0.30 per kWh with a minimum charge of £1.00 plus a £1.00 per minute (£30 cap) overstay fee applies if charging exceeds 45 minutes – with 15 minute grace period Page 21 of 48
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL Climate Change & Sustainability Commitee 24 August 2022 NATURE RESTORATION FUND 2022-2023 Report by Head of Planning & Development (Report No. 22/192) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 This report provides information on the Nature Restoration Fund allocation received by Perth and Kinross Council in 2021 and 2022. The report sets out the proposed approach to use of the funds in the current financial year, including proposed nature restoration work to be carried out by Community Greenspace. The report seeks approval of the proposed split in funding between Community Greenspace and community led projects, and requests that delegated authority be given to the Executive Director (Communities). 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: • approves the ratio of Nature Restoration Funding of 60% to Community Greenspace projects and 40% to community led projects. • approves the delegation of authority to approve community led projects to the Executive Director (Communities). 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: • Section 4: Background • Section 5: Proposals • Section 6: Conclusion • Appendices 4. BACKGROUND 4.1 The Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is a 5-year commitment to funding projects aimed at “restoring nature and improving biodiversity on land and in the seas.” The fund includes capital grant funding for local authorities which is now known as the “Edinburgh Process” strand of the NRF. Originally announced in the Scottish Government budget 2021/2022, £5m was granted to local authorities. Of this, Perth & Kinross Council received £166,000. In 2022-2023, the total allocation remains £5m but, with a different distribution methodology, the Council received £176,000 on 15 July as General Capital 5 Page 23 of 48
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Grant, as set out in Appendix 1. The Scottish Government has afforded discretion to Local Authorities to apply the grant within their own rules. 4.2 In 2021-2022, the allocation was notified in August 2021. Community Greenspace identified £90,000 of projects to take forward which met the purposes and criteria of the fund. In addition, schools and community groups were invited to apply for funding for their own projects. A briefing was circulated to elected members on 6 July 2022 describing the outcomes of the fund. The 2021-2022 report is now available on the Council website at www.pkc.gov.uk/naturefund and is attached as appendix 1. 4.3 While the purpose of the fund remains the same, there have been some changes to the criteria and themes of the fund for Local Authorities . In 2021, there were two themes for projects, focusing on either urban or rural biodiversity enhancement. In 2022, there is an increased focus on outcomes which address the main drivers of the decline in biodiversity - particularly rural biodiversity. Urban areas are not excluded but must meet the themes and purpose of the fund, which no longer specifically address urban biodiversity. The themes of this year’s fund are: • Habitat restoration – management for enhancement and connectivity • Freshwater restoration, including hydrological change • Eradication of invasive non-native species impacting on nature • Coastal and marine management to promote restoration and resilience 4.4 The funding allocation is to support approaches that further biodiversity and which adhere to the main criteria to: • deliver positive effects for biodiversity and enhance local ecosystems • address the climate emergency and its impacts through mitigation and adaptation, and by promoting nature-based solutions 4.5 However, a further criterion of the 2021-2022 allocation was to “promote the health and well-being of local communities and reduce inequalities”. This is no longer part of the 2022-2023 allocation. 5. PROPOSALS 5.1 In 2022-23, and subsequent years, there is a renewed opportunity to achieve outcomes at scale which address both the biodiversity and climate change crises. An internal process has been established by teams within the Communities Service to provide the best results for biodiversity across Perth and Kinross. 5.2 A detailed process document is attached as Appendix 2. The main points of the proposed process are: • funding is made available to Community Greenspace for projects which meet the criteria of the fund and provide additional benefit for biodiversity in addition to business as usual Page 24 of 48
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• funding is made available to organisations in the community to put forward projects which meet the criteria, purpose, and themes of the fund • a working group of relevant officers, including members of the Climate Change Board, reviews the submitted applications and makes recommendations to approve or decline community projects • the recommendations are then approved under delegated authority from the Executive Director (Communities) to the Service Managers for Planning & Housing Strategy and Climate Change & Smart Investment. 5.3 The process ensures that there is sufficient funding for Community Greenspace both to deliver on obligations in accordance with the Biodiversity Duty under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004; and empower communities to undertake projects that will make a significant difference in areas that are of value to them, in line with the Perth and Kinross Offer. Approval of applications under delegated authority will allow for timely allocation to projects to ensure work can progress without delay. 5.4 It is proposed that the funding in 2022/23 is divided 60/40 between Community Greenspace and community projects. This recognises the need for biodiversity enhancements within Council-owned land, while also aligning with the Offer. It reflects the success of the community-led Nature Restoration Fund projects last year, and enhances the approach of the Council’s Community Environment Challenge Fund, in empowering communities to actively enhance the biodiversity value of their area. 5.5 Community Greenspace have identified a range of ambitious projects which would meet the purpose, criteria, and themes of the fund. £106,000 (60%) of funding has been provisionally allocated for Community Greenspace proposed projects including: • implementation of Forest Plans through habitat restoration work including removal of non-native species, planting of native species and creation of native coppice (~£25,000) • removal of invasive species on Craigie Burn and the Tay (~£26,000) • investment in cutting equipment for community group use for meadow management (~£21,500) • heathland and meadow restoration work on St Magdalene’s Hill (~£10,000) • natural flood protection works through tree planting in Jeanfield Cemetery (~£5,000) • creating new large areas of pollinator friendly planting. (~£18,500). 5.6 The remaining £70,000 (40%) of funding has been provisionally allocated for organisations in the community to apply for. Project applications have been invited with a value of between £1,250 and £12,500. This ensures projects are of a sufficient size to meet the purpose of the fund while allowing funding to support a number of projects. Projects over £25,000 have already had the opportunity to apply for the NatureScot led public competitive fund earlier in 2022. For comparison in 2021/2022, when there was no set upper or lower Page 25 of 48
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limit, community led projects funded by the Perth & Kinross allocation ranged in value from £1,750 to £10,000 with a total value of around £65,000. 6. CONCLUSION 6.1 The Council has been allocated £176,000 to support Nature Restoration in 2022-2023. To support outcomes for nature and communities in line with the criteria, it is proposed that 60% of this funding be utilised by Community Greenspace and 40% provided to projects in the community. The allocation of funding between Community Greenspace and community organisations in the next year of NRF funding (2023-2024) can be changed, following analysis of the projects funded this year. It is further proposed that to enable community projects in a timely manner, that authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Communities) to approve such projects. Authors Name Designation Contact Details Robert Wills Divindy Grant Planning Officer Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team Leader (01738) 475000 ComCommitteeReports@pkc.gov.uk Approved Name Designation Date Barbara Renton Executive Director (Communities) 11 August 2022 APPENDICES • Appendix 1 – Letter from Scottish Government to Chief Executive Perth & Kinross Council 26 May 2022. • Appendix 2 – Nature Restoration Fund 2021-2022 Report • Appendix 3 – Nature Restoration Fund 2022-2023 Process Page 26 of 48
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ANNEX 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes / None Community Plan / Single Outcome Agreement Yes Corporate Plan Yes Resource Implications Financial None Workforce None Asset Management (land, property, IST) None Assessments Equality Impact Assessment Yes Strategic Environmental Assessment Yes Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) Yes Legal and Governance None Risk None Consultation Internal Yes External No Communication Communications Plan Yes 1. Strategic Implications Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement 1.1 The outcomes of the proposal whether led by Community Greenspace or organisations in the Community will help create a safe and sustainable place for future generations by enhancing areas of nature so that people can enjoy these into the future. Habitat restoration accompanied by additional planting also provides climate change mitigation; and by restoring native habitats wildlife and plant life is provided resilience in the face of a changing climate supporting their ability to in turn sustain their ecosystems and the services they provide. The proposal to support communities in delivering nature restoration projects of importance to them, helps develop educated and informed citizens, and supports people to lead independent healthy and active lives by increasing awareness of and engagement with nature, and promoting ownership and a sense of inclusion and ownership of projects they and their communities are involved in. Corporate Plan 1.2 See above. Page 27 of 48
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2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 None Workforce 2.2 None Asset Management (land, property, IT) 2.3 None 3. Assessments Equality Impact Assessment 3.1 Under the Equality Act 2010, the Council is required to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between equality groups. Carrying out Equality Impact Assessments (EqIA) for plans and policies allows the Council to demonstrate that it is meeting these duties. 3.2 This proposal was considered under the Council’s Integrated Appraisal Toolkit. No impacts on equality were identified and the document was assessed as not relevant for the purposes of EqIA. A full EqIA was not needed. Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.3 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to identify and assess the environmental consequences of its proposals. 3.4 The proposals have been considered under the Act and no further action is required as it does not qualify as a PPS as defined by the Act and is therefore exempt. Sustainability 3.5 Under the provisions of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 the Council has to discharge its duties in a way which contributes to the achievement of sustainable development. Under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 the Council also has a duty relating to climate change and, in exercising its functions must act: • in the way best calculated to delivery of the Act’s emissions reduction targets; Page 28 of 48
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• in the way best calculated to deliver any statutory adaptation programmes; and • in a way that it considers most sustainable. 3.6 Following an assessment using the Integrated Appraisal Toolkit it has been determined that the proposal is likely to contribute positively to the following Sustainable Development Goals. • SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being • SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities • SDG 13 Climate Action • SDG 15: Life on Land Legal and Governance 3.7 None. Risk 3.8 None. 4. Consultation Internal 4.1 This report has been informed by discussions with members of Planning & Housing Strategy, Climate Change & Sustainable Development, Community Greenspace, Tayside Biodiversity Partnership and Community Planning & Policy. External 4.2 N/A. 5. Communication 5.1 A webpage has been set up on the Council website at www.pkc.gov.uk/naturefund. Social media has been used by the Council and TBP to promote the success of the previous year’s fund and inviting applications for the current year. A press release has been sent to Communications and should go out week ending 5 August 2022. Further ongoing communications will inform the public of key stages of the fund as well as progress of projects. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 2.1 Letter to Local Authorities from Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform (2 August 2021). Page 29 of 48
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Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ www.gov.scot Environment and Forestry Directorate Natural Resources Division E: cate.turton@gov.scot Mr Thomas Glen Chief Executive Perth and Kinross Council 2 High Street PERTH PH1 5PH tglen@pkc.gov.uk ___ 26 May 2022 Dear Mr Glen, ALLOCATION OF THE ‘EDINBURGH PROCESS’ STRAND OF THE NATURE RESTORATION FUND I am writing to inform you that the Scottish Government and Local Authority Leaders have reached an agreement on the proportion of this year’s allocation of the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) to Scottish Local Authorities, known as the Edinburgh Process strand of the NRF. This constitutes £5 million of capital funding to be spent in 2022-23 to support new, or to enhance existing, approaches to restoring biodiversity. The NRF was originally announced as part of the Scottish Government’s 2021-22 budget - providing additional funding to support a wide range of projects that will deliver nature restoration, safeguard wildlife and tackle the causes of biodiversity loss especially climate change. The purpose of the NRF remains: ‘nature restoration and improving biodiversity on land and in the seas’. This year there is an increased focus on outcomes which address the main drivers of the decline in biodiversity – that is to say, on land, over-exploitation of the natural environment and addressing its consequences, habitat loss and fragmentation, and invasive non-native species – particularly in rural biodiversity. To deliver the purpose, this year the Fund has four strategic themes that will be delivered across all the funding streams: Habitat restoration – management for enhancement and connectivity Freshwater restoration, including hydrological change Eradication of invasive non-native species impacting on nature Coastal and marine management to promote restoration and resilience APPENDIX 1 5 Page 31 of 48
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Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ www.gov.scot The NRF does not exclude projects from urban and peri-urban areas which can be shown to address its purpose and strategic themes. The Scottish Government’s draft Local Development Plan guidance (para 459) sets out that ecological connectivity is provided by wildlife sites, corridors, and stepping stones, landscape features, watercourses, green and blue spaces that together form integrated nature networks. The £5 million capital funding allocated to Local Authorities is to support new, or to enhance existing, approaches that further biodiversity and which adhere to the following criteria: deliver positive effects for biodiversity and enhance local ecosystems address the climate emergency and its impacts through mitigation and adaptation and by promoting nature based solutions Capital items that could form that basis for spend may include, but are not limited to: Action for pollinators (equipment for maintaining wildflower areas/verges plus planting) Improving condition and use of LNRs (purchase and planting, equipment for outdoor learning, small access improvements) Developing a local nature network through planting of wildlife corridors, removal of barriers to movement, pollinator planting Greening Active travel routes (purchase and planting) Natural flood management actions such as connecting rivers with flood plains, pond creation, deculverting, in-stream works for habitat and flow variability Removal of INNS to improve the biodiversity value of the remaining habitat Habitat and species enhancement works using native stock, enhancing natural coastal defences through marram, addressing coastal squeeze. The Edinburgh Process strand is a semi-competitive fund. All Local Authorities, plus the National Parks, will receive a capital allocation directly from Scottish Government. The total value of the allocation to Local Authorities is £5m in 2022-2023 (as in 2021-2022). Given the strategic themes and the priority of ecological connectivity, the distribution methodology this year is based on: 50% on ‘area of natural greenspace’ and 50% on NatureScot composite indicator. The allocation of funds for Perth & Kinross Council in 2022-23, which will be paid as General Capital Grant on 15 July, is £0.176 Million rounded. A full list of individual local authority allocations is included at Annex A. A further £1m has been allocated this year to the Edinburgh Process strand and applications for additional funds can be made to NatureScot. The application will be open to Local Authorities planning to undertake a single project larger in scale than their allocation. Applications should be sent to: NRF@nature.scot by the end of June. This will assist in the Nature Restoration Fund aim of supporting transformational change at scale. The successful projects will be notified by NatureScot with the additional capital transferred from Scottish Government. Page 32 of 48
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Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ www.gov.scot As with the NRF in 2021-22, Local Authorities will be required to complete and return a short form to the Biodiversity Unit at the Scottish Government within a year of the allocation of funding. I would like to thank you all for your co-operation on this matter and would be most grateful if you could pass a copy of this letter onto any persons that would be responsible for administering the NRF in your local authority. Yours sincerely, Cate Turton Deputy Director, Natural Resources Division Page 33 of 48
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Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ www.gov.scot Annex A NATURE RESTORATION FUND – EDINBURGH PROCESS STRAND – 2022-23 Rounded Allocation (£m) Aberdeen City 0.135 Aberdeenshire 0.213 Angus 0.150 Argyll & Bute 0.238 Clackmannanshire 0.091 Dumfries & Galloway 0.257 Dundee City 0.086 East Ayrshire 0.102 East Dunbartonshire 0.132 East Lothian 0.110 East Renfrewshire 0.061 Edinburgh, City of 0.161 Eilean Siar 0.124 Falkirk 0.179 Fife 0.378 Glasgow City 0.132 Highland 0.328 Inverclyde 0.160 Midlothian 0.103 Moray 0.124 North Ayrshire 0.190 North Lanarkshire 0.274 Orkney 0.054 Perth & Kinross 0.176 Renfrewshire 0.102 Scottish Borders 0.161 Shetland 0.079 South Ayrshire 0.096 South Lanarkshire 0.188 Stirling 0.114 West Dunbartonshire 0.126 West Lothian 0.176 TOTAL 5.000 Page 34 of 48
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PKC Nature Restoration Fund 2021-22 Report. July 2022. NatureFund@pkc.gov.uk 1 Perth & Kinross Nature Restoration Fund 2021-22 Report In August 2021 the Council received £166,000 from the Nature Restoration Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to address the biodiversity crisis and its causes - habitat loss and fragmentation, and invasive species - while recognising the need to address both climate change and biodiversity crises at the same time. Application of the fund demonstrates the Council’s commitment shown in declaring a climate emergency and the signing of the Edinburgh Declaration and provided an opportunity to deliver on the PK Offer both through community involvement and in making Perth and Kinross a better, greener place. Community Greenspace had a number of projects ready to implement including tree and pollinator friendly planting. Many of these involved In Bloom and other community groups delivering: Planting of a tree corridor on the South Inch and a thousand trees at Perth Crematorium, enhancing the biodiversity value of these important greenspaces. Restoration of the South Inch SUDS pond. Pollinator planting of heathers, wildflowers or snowdrops was carried out in Kinross, Pitlochry, Perth, and Glenfarg, with further planting carried out across the Council area by community groups. The remainder was opened up to community partners to apply for. Successful awards were made to projects including supporting pollinators with wildflower planting, introducing native trees and pollinator friendly gardening in schools, providing homes for wildlife, reinvigorating SUDS ponds for amphibians, implementing innovative surface water measures, giving Biodiversity Towns and Villages a head start, lots of pollinator friendly planting across greenspaces and green graveyards, and plenty of new homes for birds, bats and hedgehogs across towns and schools. A special note should be made of the involvement of teachers, pupils and parent groups in hands on delivery of projects at schools, the Kinross Park and Ride - part of the Kinross Raingardens trail - winner of a Ciria Susdrain SUDS Awards 2022; the delivery of Tayside Biodiversity Partnership’s innovative Biodiversity Towns and Villages Blairgowrie & Rattray and Guildtown; and the wide involvement of schools, In Bloom groups, local wildlife groups and volunteers who helped deliver many of the projects led by the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership and Community Greenspace. Wildflower Raingarden at the Kinross Park & Ride “Without a doubt had it not been for the NRF, Catherine Lloyd and our already hard working local groups coming together, we would still be wondering how to begin our Biodiversity aims. Catherine guided us, the NRF enabled us and our locals got stuck in - a perfect collaboration and a wonderful beginning for our local biodiversity to get the encouragement and nurturing it so richly deserves” Lesley MacDonald, Biodiversity Blairgowrie & Rattray Group APPENDIX 2 5 Page 35 of 48
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PKC Nature Restoration Fund 2021-22 Report. July 2022. NatureFund@pkc.gov.uk 2 Nature Restoration Fund (NRF)2022/2023 Another year’s funding of £176000 has been awarded to the Council for 2022-2023. The purpose of the fund remains “nature restoration and improving biodiversity on land and in the seas” but there is a greater rural focus in order to address the drivers of biodiversity loss. Community Greenspace and Tayside Biodiversity Partnership will again take forward projects in conjunction with local communities. The rest of the funding will be made available to community led projects with the final split due to be agreed in August 2022. In the meantime, applications are invited across the Council area for capital funding for projects of between £1250 and 12500 to be considered from 31 August. Applications must be submitted by 30 September. To support the PKOffer projects with a strong community element are encouraged. For further information please go to www.pkc.gov.uk/naturefund. 2021-2022 Project List Kinross Raingardens Award winning transformation of the Kinross Park and Ride to introduce a wildflower rich swale to replace the previous poorly functioning infiltration trench. The first year has been a great success, rich in wildflowers with drainage issues solved. Kinross-shire Civic Trust with Kinross In Bloom. Isla Court Bee Wild project. Introduction of wildlife friendly planting that provides food for birds and pollinators throughout the year as well as an enjoyable environment for the residents. Homes for bats, bugs, swifts and other birds were also provided. Tayside Biodiversity with Isla Court Residents and the Unpaid Work team. Letham Early Childhood Centre Biodiversity Project Paved areas enriched with biodiversity planting, along with special provision for birds, bugs and butterflies including a bug hotel and butterfly house. Crieff Primary School Biodiversity Project Outdoor learning area biodiversified with orchard trees, and pollinator friendly climbers, shrubs and plants with hedgerows ready to be planted. Mini wildlife gardens designed by P3 pupils. Fruit shrubs added to the school orchard and the fund supported the planting of trees to create a woodland copse on the playing field boundary. St Madoes Primary School Wild Orchard Project: 85 native trees planted, with an outdoor learning area of native wildflowers, willow dome and mini beast area with resources for children to grow more wildlife friendly plants. Robert Douglas Memorial School Biodiversity Enhancement Enhancing the school grounds for biodiversity to benefit wildlife, children, their education and the environment. An existing mature tree was protected, wildflowers and native trees planted and homes for bees, butterflies, birds and bats introduced Breadalbane Academy playground project Reinvention of greenspace and play area with native trees and flowering shrubs. Friends of Breadalbane Parents Council. Parkdale Sensory Garden Laying of a path for a sensory garden that is being planted to allow residents to interact with nature. Snowdrops for Pollinators Snowdrops provided to community and In Bloom groups across 17 sites Perthshire wide as part of the Tayside Green Graveyard initiative to plant in local graveyards to benefit early emerging bumblebees. Tayside Biodiversity Partnership and numerous community groups. Page 36 of 48
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PKC Nature Restoration Fund 2021-22 Report. July 2022. NatureFund@pkc.gov.uk 3 Perth Tree Planting 27 semi mature native trees planted at South Inch including the Queens Canopy creating a corridor through the park, and 1000 trees planted at Perth Crematorium enhancing this space as a wildlife refuge and resource. Community Greenspace. Sustainable Planting 400m2 of bulb planting thorughout Perth and Kinross with help from many In Bloom and community groups. Sustainable planting, heather planting, and wildlfower seeding in Kinross, Pitlochry and Perth. And restoration of the South Inch SUDS pond to boost its biodiversity offering. Homes for Wildlife Working with local communities across Perthshire, 24 swift nest boxes, 25 bat roosting boxes, 10 hedgehog hibernacular and 10 tree sparrow nest boxes were installed in the best locations in each area. Tayside Biodiversity Partnership with lots of community Groups. Guildtown Biodiversity Village As part of TBP’s Biodiversity Villages Initiative, Guildtown Biodiversity Group worked with the Ranger to enhance the local park and greenspace with bird and bat boxes, hedgehog homes and planting snowdrops. The local school was given bird and bat boxes for their school grounds. Tayside Biodiversity Partnership with PKC Greenspace Ranger, Guildtown Primary School. Blairgowrie & Rattray Biodiversity Town Blairgowrie and Rattray together established their status as the First Biodiversity Town in Scotland with a wide-ranging community led project planting orchards and native trees, providing homes for bats and hedgehogs, creating a pollinator highway network and a workshop to make and install amphibian ladders where they were needed most. Blairgowrie & Rattray Community Development Trust with help from Blair in Bloom, the Climate Café, and Rotary. Ponds Project Ponds in Perth, Murthly, Rattray, Scone, and Blairgowrie were cleared of vegetation to create open water and improve conditions for toads, frogs and newts, dragonflies, and pollinators; native wildflowers were planted as food for pollinators. Tayside Biodiversity Partnership with TayARG, British Dragonfly Society and local volunteers. Mind the Gap Hedgehog homes and training to locate and monitor the hedgehogs using them were provided to 19 schools across Perth and Kinross along with wildflower seeds and plugplants for schoolchildren to plant to encourage invertebrates and pollinators to help support the hedgehog population to recover. Tayside Biodiversity Partnership. ©Daniele Muir ©S Mitchell Page 37 of 48
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APPENDIX 3 Nature Restoration Fund 22/23 Process v1.0 1 Nature Restoration Fund 22/23 Process and Methodology for officers Contents 1 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE......................................................................................................... 2 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................. 2 1.2 Purpose ................................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Rules and Conditions............................................................................................................... 2 2 Governance ..................................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Supervision and Decision-Making ........................................................................................... 3 2.2 Accountability ......................................................................................................................... 3 2.2.1 Authority ......................................................................................................................... 3 2.2.2 Reporting ......................................................................................................................... 3 3 Allocation of Funds ......................................................................................................................... 3 3.1 Principles of PKC allocation of funds....................................................................................... 3 3.2 Application and Grant Process ................................................................................................ 4 3.3 Criteria..................................................................................................................................... 5 3.3.1 Essential Criteria ............................................................................................................. 5 3.3.2 Desirable Criteria: ........................................................................................................... 5 3.3.3 Other information required at time of application......................................................... 5 4 Project Monitoring and Finance Administration. ........................................................................... 6 4.1 Project Monitoring .................................................................................................................. 6 4.2 Finance Administration ........................................................................................................... 6 4.2.1 Project and Claim Finance Rules ..................................................................................... 6 4.2.2 Finance Monitoring Process ............................................................................................ 7 4.2.3 Claim Process .................................................................................................................. 8 5 Preparation for 23/24 ..................................................................................................................... 8 6 APPENDICES .................................................................................................................................... 9 6.1 Appendix A: Project Checklist ................................................................................................. 9 6.2 Appendix B: Conditions of Grant .......................................................................................... 10 5 Page 39 of 48
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APPENDIX 3 Nature Restoration Fund 22/23 Process v1.0 2 1 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 1.1 Background The NRF is a Scottish Government 5 year commitment 2021-2026 and the Council received notice in late May 2022 of the 22-23 funding of £176,000. 1.2 Purpose The Scottish Government has set out the parameters of the grant given to Local Authorities. All spend must accord with these parameters. Purpose of the fund: “nature restoration and improving biodiversity on land and in the seas” Focus: “addressing drivers of biodiversity loss, namely habitat loss and fragmentation, and invasive non-native species – particularly in rural biodiversity” NOTE NRF does not exclude projects from urban and peri-urban areas which can be shown to address its purpose and strategic themes. Criteria: to support new, or to enhance existing, approaches that further biodiversity which adhere to the following: • deliver positive effects for biodiversity and enhance local ecosystems • address the climate emergency and its impacts through mitigation and adaptation and by promoting nature based solutions Themes: • Habitat restoration – management for enhancement and connectivity • Freshwater restoration, including hydrological change • Eradication of invasive non-native species impacting on nature • Coastal and marine management to promote restoration and resilience Examples: • equipment for maintaining wildflower areas • improving the condition of Local Nature Reserves • developing local nature networks through planting • greening active travel routes • natural flood management actions • removing non-native species. 1.3 Rules and Conditions • Light touch report back to Scottish Government by 26 May 2023 • Projects can be 3rd party assets but must be capital spend. This can include design costs provided it is directly connected to the delivery of the project. • Projects can be multiyear but the projected spend in any one year must be spent. Page 40 of 48
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APPENDIX 3 Nature Restoration Fund 22/23 Process v1.0 3 2 Governance 2.1 Supervision and Decision-Making All procedures and decisions on projects will be agreed by a working group of officers with involvement and expertise in biodiversity, greenspace projects, community work and managers, along with representatives of the Climate Change Board. Recommendations will be signed off at the appropriate level subject to delegated authority. Sustainable Development team leader, Climate Change board member Development Plan team leader Planning Officer for biodiversity policy Biodiversity/Tree Officer Tayside Biodiversity Partnership co-ordinator Senior Community Greenspace Officer Community Greenspace Manager Community Planning and Policy Team Leader Projects will be approved by the Planning & Housing Strategy Manager and Enterprise & Investment Manager, under the delegation of the Executive Director (Communities). Administration of the fund and supervision of finances will be carried by appropriate Council staff including the roles of co-ordinator, administrator and finance co-ordinator 2.2 Accountability 2.2.1 Authority Delegated authority to the Executive Director (Communities), is requested of the Climate Change and Sustainability (CC&S) Committee.. The Committee is also be asked to approve the split of projects between communities and PKC spend. 2.2.2 Reporting • The working group will send a briefing to Councillors at the earliest opportunity following grant of funding to advise of the projects and communities receiving funding. • Projects receiving funding will also be notified on a dedicated Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) Nature Fund page and in a press release. • A briefing to all Councillors will be completed on completion of 22/23 projects. • A report to CC&S in Spring 2023 will include financial details of 22/23 and notification of the 23/24 funding and notification of procedure. • A report to Scottish Government will be completed and notified to the Sustainability and Climate Change committee before being submitted in May 2023. • A press release and public report will be distributed following reports to Scottish Government and Councillors. 3 Allocation of Funds 3.1 Principles of PKC allocation of funds Allocation of funding to community or internal projects: • Must accord with the purpose, criteria and themes of the fund allocation; and • Must provide additionality for biodiversity over and above business as usual; and Page 41 of 48
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APPENDIX 3 Nature Restoration Fund 22/23 Process v1.0 4 • Must be on land accessible to the public or designated for its biodiversity (e.g. SSSI) • Must be led by an established organisation or community group • Should support actions in the Tayside Local Biodiversity Action Plan; and • Should provide opportunities for a variety of project types, size and geographical spread. • Multi year projects will be accepted and, subject to funding, will be given priority over new projects the following year. 3.2 Application and Grant Process 1. Community Greenspace, and other internal departments are invited to set out their projected spend against individual projects with a description, cost and details of location and community involvement. These will be assessed by the working group to ensure they meet the essential criteria set out below. The total amount to internal projects will be considered to ensure that there is an appropriate amount available for community projects. Council projects and projected spend against each project must be identified by July 31 to inform the funding split to be reported to committee in August. Tayside Biodiversity Partnership projects will also be able to submit projects on a simplified template. 2. Following awards to Council departments, a final budget amount will be communicated to the Finance Team. The remainder of the fund will be made available to other projects in the community led by community groups, landowners or non-profit organisations. Projects in the community must submit a detailed application form and will be assessed against a criteria matrix. Projects led by community groups with support of TBP must submit their own detailed applications. Organisations must be constituted or for unconstituted community groups evidence at least 12 months of activity such as a bank statement. 3. An Enquiry Form ( https://forms.office.com/r/LVGsuG4vXD ) is available on the PKC Nature Restoration webpage www.pkc.gov.uk/naturefund for those who are unsure of whether their project meets the essential criteria. Enquiry forms will be reviewed by the administrator in consultation with the co-ordinator and working group as required. Enquiries are recorded on a spreadsheet by the administrator. Responses should be provided back to enquirers within 1 week unless further information is required and recorded on the spreadsheet. 4. Applications are invited from mid July on the advice that they will be considered from 31 August i.e. following the August committee. Grants will be awarded on a first come first served basis, provided they meet the criteria, with a final deadline by 30 September 2022; although extensions can be made if funds remain available. Applications are to be sent to naturefund@pkc.gov.uk. 5. The administrator reviews each application as they come in, records the details on the NRF projects spreadsheet, assigns an NRF22 number and requests any further information. Any queries over acceptability of cost items or project as capital spend should be referred to the Finance Team. 6. The administrator, co-ordinator and finance co-ordinator assess the projects against the project checklist (Appendix A) and provide comments for working group. The working group reviews and recommends project to the managers of Planning & Housing Strategy and Investment and Enterprise Manager to approve or decline the application, under their delegated authority 7. All decisions must be minuted. Page 42 of 48
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APPENDIX 3 Nature Restoration Fund 22/23 Process v1.0 5 8. Unsuccessful applicants are advised of the reasons why their application was unsuccessful and where possible invited to amend their application within 3 weeks of the full application being received. 9. The successful applicant is sent a grant letter, an acceptance template and a template for claiming funds against invoices. These are sent by the administrator within 4 weeks of the date of first consideration of claims or the date the complete application is received, whichever is later. 10. The administrator ensures that applicants return grant acceptance forms within 2 weeks of the grant advice. 11. Following allocation of all funds, a final project list is provided to the Finance Team. 3.3 Criteria The criteria are drawn from the Scottish Government themes and purpose but also draw in the criteria of the Local Authority fund to ensure robust consideration of the funding. 3.3.1 Essential Criteria • The outcomes of the project must be: o Creating, restoring or enhancing natural habitat including water OR o Creating or connecting habitat corridors, pollinator highways or other natural networks OR o Removing invasive species OR o Providing natural solutions that further biodiversity AND address climate change. • Projects must be on land accessible to the public OR land that is designated nationally or locally for its biodiversity • Project spend between £1,250 and £12,500 • Capital spend only. See Project and Claim Finance Rules below. • Projects must demonstrate they are deliverable and achieve acceptable value for the money granted. Sufficient certainty of monitoring and maintenance must also be provided. 3.3.2 Desirable Criteria: Projects are also encouraged to meet the following goals. These criteria will encourage applicants to consider community involvement and will support reporting to Council. • directly supports an action in the Tayside Biodiversity Action Plan • tackles inequality in access to nature or supports education objectives • improves community health and wellbeing 3.3.3 Other information required at time of application • Statement of landowner permission • Location: to promote a spread of projects across Perth and Kinross. To this end, only one project will be accepted from an organisation in each location. • Detail of maintenance arrangements or in principle agreement of maintenance, including by Community Greenspace or Education Services. • Proof of organisation is constituted OR proof of 12 months activity (this may not be needed for every organisation). • Names of other organisations or community groups involved • Any match funding that the project will leverage , and a copy of the match funding grant Page 43 of 48
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APPENDIX 3 Nature Restoration Fund 22/23 Process v1.0 6 • Annotated map or drawing of area included in project (to support Scottish Government requirement to report on the area) • Whether the project is multiyear or is supporting a larger project. • Estimated itemised spend • Commitment to only plant trees native to Scotland (list to be provided). • Commitment to ensuring all other planting as of proven benefit to biodiversity (i.e. on the RHS plants for pollinators list) 4 Project Monitoring and Finance Administration. It is important that projects are monitored so that help is given where required, money is being spent in fulfilment of the allocated grant and funds are reallocated if a project is underspent. Finance rules are governed by the rules of the Capital Grant so it is important that projects can claim fall within these rules and this process may be subject to internal or external audit. 4.1 Project Monitoring 8 January 2023: An interim project report template is sent out and made available on the webpage. 29 January 2023. Grantees are required to provide an interim project report against their indicative timeframe. Grantees are encouraged to review their projected spend at this stage. No further invoices will be paid until this is provided. 13 February 2023. The administrator reviews interim reports for progress and discusses with the grantee any barriers that may require assistance. The finance co-ordinator reviews progress against budget and projected budgets and along with the administrator makes recommendations to the working group of any potential under or overspend and amendments to grant required. 20 February 2023. Interim recommendations by the working are made and the administration team discuss these with the finance team. 27 February 2023. Where agreed grant amendment letters are signed off as per initial grant letters. 24 March 2023. The administrator sends out a final project report template with a reminder of the approaching end of the project, the need to submit invoices by 14 April and that all invoices must be dated March 31 or earlier. The template is made available on the webpage. At this stage the administrator encourages grantees to raise any issues with completion so that advice can be provided if necessary. April 31 2023. The final project report is required by one month of the end of the project. 4.2 Finance Administration 4.2.1 Project and Claim Finance Rules • A project must be a capital project. This means the end goal must be purchase of equipment or improvement to land. It must not be ongoing maintenance or studies. Examples of capital projects include Page 44 of 48
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APPENDIX 3 Nature Restoration Fund 22/23 Process v1.0 7 o one off restoration of a woodland, heathland or pond that will then be maintained in that condition o purchase of equipment to be used for nature restoration purposes o removal of invasive non-native species on land or in water (i.e. plants) o earthworks such as remeandering of waterways or rewatering of peatlands o planting of areas of new habitat. o Contractor costs to carry out any of the above. • Expenses can be non-capital but only where they are necessary to realise the capital project. This may include: o Design costs o Surveys that are necessary to inform the final design o Initial aftercare to ensure success e.g. watering of newly planted trees. o Training of volunteers to deliver the capital project o Initial training of volunteers to carry out required maintenance. • Expenses include VAT for external claims (only) where applicable. Council projects including projects run by the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership are exclusive of VAT. • Projects can be on non-Council land and include spend on equipment that will be used for the purposes of management for nature • Projects can be multi-year. However, the allocated spend in any one year must be completed. This includes project expenses that fit within the rule regarding non-capital expenses i.e. surveys in Year 1 to inform a capital project in Year 2. • Funds will only be provided on receipt of a claim form and invoice which clearly states the goods ordered. • Projects that have not submitted an interim finance report following the due date will not have any further claims put forward to the finance admin team until that report is received. • Final claims must be accompanied by a final project report. 4.2.2 Finance Monitoring Process Before proceeding to the working group for consideration, projects that are put forward by the administration team with a recommendation are passed to the financial administrator. The finance team can provide comment on whether or not the project or any specified items fall outside the rules. Projects or claims that do not meet the rules cannot be granted funding. Once proposed projects’ requested amounts exceed the total PKC budget, the public are notified that further applications will not be considered but applicants should consider working on them in order to bring forward immediately when the following year’s fund opens. When projects are granted the finance administrator enters the approved budget amounts. Grantees fall into 4 categories: 1. Community Greenspace (CG) 2. Tayside Biodiversity Partnership (TBP) 3. Other PKC departments including schools; and 4. External organisations CG has a separate budget code set up for their NRF spend. Page 45 of 48
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APPENDIX 3 Nature Restoration Fund 22/23 Process v1.0 8 TBP and other departments each have their own budget codes but not a dedicated NRF budget. CG and TBP must enter their project codes into PECOS on the noteline when ordering. 4.2.3 Claim Process All grantees are sent a claim form template with their grant advice letters and should use this for submitting claims. 1. Community Greenspace • CG has their own budget code for NRF spend • Greenspace orders through PECOS must have the project code in the note field • Community Greenspace requests a monthly transaction listing report from the Finance Admin Team, checks or updates project codes and submits to the finance co-ordinator (FC) to update the project spreadsheet. 2. Tayside Biodiversity Partnership • TBP orders through PECOS must have the project code in the note field • TBP requests a monthly transaction listing report from the Finance Admin Team, checks or updates project codes and submits to the finance co-ordinator (FC) to update the project spreadsheet. • Finance process payment via monthly journal 3. Internal Claimant (other PKC departments such as schools) • Where possible claimant purchases through PECOS and inputs project code in note field • Claimant sends in claim form and copies of invoices • FC checks and processes claims in 7 days • Finance team processes the claim via journal in 7 days from receipt 4. External Claimant • Claimant sends in copies of invoices and claim form • FC checks and processes claims in 7 days • Finance process payment as sundry payment in 7 days. 5 Preparation for 23/24 Dec 2022 All council departments should be engaged with by end of 2022 to encourage development of bids for next round of the Edinburgh Process competitive fund. Jan 2023 TBP, Greenspace, other PKC departments asked to start considering projects for 2023. Reminder about competitive fund. March 2023 All forms etc prepared in draft form. 30 April 2023 Report on last year’s fund to Councillors / committee along with draft report to Scottish Government. May 2023 On announcement of 2023 funding pot, Councillors notified of funding allocation and intention to follow same process as last year, subject to review of arrangements Page 46 of 48
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APPENDIX 3 Nature Restoration Fund 22/23 Process v1.0 9 6 APPENDICES 6.1 Appendix A: Project Checklist Projects must Meet the purpose and one of the themes of the PKC Nature Restoration fund Y / N Provide sufficient detail to assume deliverability by 31 March. Y / N Be from an organisation with proof of incorporation/ constituted status or a community group with 12 months of activity Y / N Have landowner permission Y / N Be on land with public access or designated for its biodiversity Y / N Be a capital project Y/ N Be between £1250 and £12500 incl VAT Y /N Provide details of required maintenance provided and have sufficiently certain maintenance arrangements in place. Y/N Provide details of and sufficiently certain arrangements for monitoring of success. Y/N Have a value at least proportionate to funds sought Y/N Projects with additional value: Support a Tayside LBAP action Y / N Have community support Y / N Have community participation Y / N Support communities of varying needs or education objectives Y / N Page 47 of 48
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APPENDIX 3 Nature Restoration Fund 22/23 Process v1.0 10 6.2 Appendix B: Conditions of Grant a. The Grant shall only be used for the purposes of the Project as outlined in the application form and for no other purposes whatsoever. b. No part of the Grant shall be used to fund any activity or material which is party political in intention, use, or presentation or appears to be designed to affect support for a political party. c. Any proposed changes to the Project as described in the application form must be approved in writing by Perth & Kinross Council, otherwise this may lead to a delay in or refusal of payment. Please email naturefund@pkc.gov.uk with any proposed changes. d. The Grantee where Perth & Kinross department shall claim the Grant by first including the project number in the notes field when submitting orders in PECOS; then submission of a monthly transaction report; OR The Grantee where an organisation in the community shall claim the Grant by submission of copies of invoices and completion of the claim form in Schedule 2. Invoices must be scanned or photographed and emailed to naturefund@pkc.gov.uk along with the claim form. e. Where any payment has been made in error or invoiced goods or services have not been delivered or implemented, Perth & Kinross Council reserves the right to secure return of the payment. f. The Grantee shall provide an interim progress report no later than 29 January 2023 detailing work that has been completed and a timeline for completion of the remainder of the Project and identifying any barriers to completion or work that may not be completed. The Grant may be reduced if it appears that the Project is unlikely to be completed by end of year. g. The Project or projected phase of project shall be completed by 31 March 2023. Invoices must be for goods or services received by 31 March 2023 or earlier. h. Final claim forms and invoices must be received by 7 April 2023. i. The Grantee shall within one month of the completion of the Project provide a project report including photographs demonstrating that project as set out in the application has been delivered. Final project claims will not be processed until a completed project report is received. Page 48 of 48