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Agenda Document Pack - Climate Change and Sustainability Committee - 16/11/2022

Perth and Kinross Council · 16 November 2022
Back to Climate Change and Sustainability Committee — 16 November 2022 and its agenda

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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 
10/11/2022 
A hybrid meeting of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee will be
held in the Council Chambers (Hybrid) on Wednesday, 16 November 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 Grant Stewart
Councillor Jack Welch
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Climate Change and Sustainability Committee 
Wednesday, 16 November 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 MINUTE OF MEETING OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND
SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE OF 24 AUGUST 2022 FOR
APPROVAL
(copy herewith) 
5 - 8 
4 PRESENTATION - FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT   
5 FLOOD STUDIES - BLACKFORD & INVERGOWRIE
Report by Head of Environmental and Consumer Services (copy
herewith 22/281) 
9 - 34 
6 PUBLIC BODIES REPORTING DUTIES 2022 - CARBON
EMISSIONS
Report by Executive Director (Communities) (copy herewith 22/282) 
35 - 44 
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CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE 
Minute of hybrid meeting of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee held
in the Council Chambers on 24 August 2022 at 10.00am. 
Present: Councillors H Anderson, L Barrett, D Cuthbert, D Illingworth, N Khogali,
G Laing, T McEwan, C Reid, G Stewart, R Watters, J Welch; M Mathers, J Pepper,
N Jamieson and E McGregor. 
In Attendance: B Renton, Executive Director (Communities); D Littlejohn, D Grant,
N Moran, R Wills, S Best (up to and including Item 3), A Deans, S Merone, H Wilson
(from Item 4 onwards) (all Communities); S Nicoll, G Key (up to and including Item
4), A Taylor, A Brown, M Pasternak and (all Corporate and Democratic Services). 
Also in Attendance: Councillors J Duff and A Forbes (up to and including Item 3). 
Councillor R Watters, Convener, Presiding. 
1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES 
Councillor R Watters welcomed everyone to the meeting. 
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 
There were no Declarations of Interest made in terms of the Councillors’ Code
of Conduct. 
3. PRESENTATION – CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN UPDATE 
D Grant, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Team Leader
provided a slide-based presentation on the Climate Change Action Plan Update. 
D Grant answered members’ questions thereon. 
4. INTRODUCTION OF CHARGING FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES 
There was submitted a report by the Head of Planning and Development
(22/191) (1) inviting members to consider the issues associated with the Council’s
current and future Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure; and (2) seeking
approval to the introduction of tariffs to recover the energy and support costs of
providing this service. 
Motion (Councillors Watters and L Barrett) 
(i) The work undertaken to review potential options for charging, be noted.
(ii) Option 3 and the recommended tariffs as detailed in Section 5.15 of Report
22/191 with an introduction date of 1 January 2023, be approved. 
(iii) The Executive Director (Communities) be instructed to keep tariff rates under
review during the year, with delegation to amend the tariff to ensure that
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future costs continue to be recovered, alongside an annual review to be
undertaken as part of the budget process. 
1st Amendment (Councillors Laing and McEwan) 
In accordance with the Motion but propose to increase the limit of stay to
6 hours for the less powerful 22kw chargers. 
2nd Amendment (Councillors Khogali and Illingworth) 
Agree in principle the Motion, ask officers to bring back reports on the
following options at the next meeting of the Committee. 
1. Look at the possibility of selling / transferring the infrastructure to the private
sector over the course of the next council term.
2. Push up the overstay cost to be, at minimum, the cost of a parking fine.
3. Consider adding in the ability to charge E-Bikes.
4. Reconsider the pricing structure as to account in costs for quick repairs for
broken chargers. 
FOLLOWING A SHORT ADJOURNMENT, THE COMMITTEE RECONVENED. 
The Mover and Seconder of the 1st Amendment agreed to re-word their
Amendment to read ‘4 hours’ instead of ‘6 hours’. 
The Mover and Seconder of the 2nd Amendment agreed to re-word their
Amendment to read ‘bring back reports on the following options to a future meeting
of the Committee’ instead of ‘the next meeting of the Committee’. 
Note: The Mover and Seconder of the Motion agreed to accept both Amendments in
the Revised Motion as follows: 
(i) The work undertaken to review potential options for charging, be noted.
(ii) Option 3 and the recommended tariffs as detailed in Section 5.15 of
Report 22/191 with an introduction date of 1 January 2023, be approved. 
(iii) The Executive Director (Communities) be requested to 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.
(iv) The proposed limit of stay for the less powerful 22kw charges be set at
four hours with an overstay fee of £10.
(v) The Executive Director (Communities) be requested to consider the
points detailed below and bring a further report to a future meeting of
the Committee. 
1. Look at the possibility of selling / transferring the infrastructure to the
private sector over the course of the next council term.
2. Push up the overstay cost to be, at minimum, the cost of a parking fine.
3. Consider adding in the ability to charge E-Bikes.
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4. Reconsider the pricing structure as to account in costs for quick repairs
for broken chargers. 
5. NATURE RESTORATION FUND 2022-23 
There was submitted a report by the Head of Planning and Development
(22/192) (1) providing information on the Nature Restoration Fund allocation
received by Perth and Kinross Council in 2021 and 2022; (2) setting 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; (3)
seeking approval of the proposed split in funding between Community Greenspace
and community led projects; and (4) requesting that delegated authority be given to
the Executive Director (Communities). 
Resolved:
(i) The ratio of Nature Restoration Funding of 60% to Community Greenspace
projects and 40% to community led projects, be approved.
(ii) The delegation of authority to approve community led projects to the
Executive Director (Communities), be approved. 
~~~~~~~
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL 
Climate Change & Sustainability Committee 
16 November 2022 
FLOOD STUDIES – BLACKFORD & INVERGOWRIE 
Report by Head of Environmental and Consumer Services
(Report No. 22/281) 
1. PURPOSE 
1.1 This report describes the outcome of the Council’s flood studies at two
separate locations - Blackford and Invergowrie. The report recommends that a
flood protection scheme is taken forward in Blackford as it has been found to
be economically viable. As such, the proposed scheme for Blackford has been
submitted to SEPA for national prioritisation and included in the published
Forth Flood Risk Management Plan. The scheme will also be included in the
next Forth Local Flood Risk Management Plan (to be published in December
2022). The report also recommends that a flood protection scheme in
Invergowrie is not taken forward as it is not economically viable. 
2. RECOMMENDATIONS 
2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: 
(i) notes the completion of the Blackford Flood Study and the Invergowrie
Natural Flood Management Study, as required by the Forth and the
Tay Estuary & Montrose Basin Flood Risk Management Strategies and
Local Flood Risk Management Plans. 
(ii) notes that separate public engagement events have been held to
disseminate the findings of each flood study. 
(iii) approves the recommendations of each study, including: 
• the proposals for a flood protection scheme in Blackford;
• to stop work on a natural flood management scheme in
Invergowrie as it is not economically viable. 
(iv) notes that the Council will continue to manage flood risk in the
Invergowrie area by implementing the actions set out in the published
Tay Estuary & Montrose Basin Flood Risk Management Plan and
Local Flood Risk Management Plan. 
(v) notes that details of the recommended flood protection scheme for
Blackford have been submitted to SEPA for national prioritisation and
were included in the Cycle 2 (2021-2027) Forth Flood Risk
Management Plan, published in December 2021. 
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(vi) notes that the recommended flood scheme in Blackford will also be
included in the next Forth Local Flood Risk Management Plan, due for
publication in December 2022. 
(vii) notes that this position is consistent with the published Forth and Tay
Estuary & Montrose Basin Flood Risk Management Plans. 
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 
4.1 Under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, SEPA and lead local
authorities published new Flood Risk Management (FRM) Strategies and
Local FRM Plans in December 2015 and June 2016 respectively.  These
documents set out a range of actions that SEPA and responsible authorities
are taking to manage and, where possible, reduce the risk of flooding over a
six-year period. 
4.2 The Environment Committee approved the content and publication of the
Forth and the Tay Estuary & Montrose Basin Local FRM Plans on 1 June
2016 (Report 16/241 refers). The Environment and Infrastructure Committee
approved the content of an interim report on the progress made in
implementing these Local FRM Plans on 23 January 2019 (Report 19/16
refers). Both of these published documents can be viewed at the following
link: http://www.pkc.gov.uk/frmplans 
4.3 The published FRM Strategies and Local FRM Plans identify various flood
studies as a means of further improving the understanding of flood risk in certain
locations. A flood protection study was identified for Blackford (within the Forth
district) and a natural flood management study for Invergowrie (within the Tay
Estuary & Montrose Basin district). 
4.4 The purpose of these flood studies was to investigate what further action is
required to manage flood risk in these locations. Such action can be
implemented through flood protection schemes, including natural flood
management works, where these are found to be technically feasible and
economically viable. 
4.5 The 2009 Act provides local authorities with discretionary powers to promote
flood protection schemes. Only those flood schemes which have been
included in the published FRM Strategies, the Local FRM Plans and the
national priority list are taken forward in the subsequent 6-year period.
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4.6 Although public authorities are expected to take a proactive role in managing
and, where achievable, lowering flood risk, the primary responsibility for
avoiding or managing flood risk still remains with land and property owners. 
The 2009 Act does not alter this.  Individuals, businesses and communities
must, therefore, play a critical role in making themselves more resilient and
helping to reduce the impact of flooding. 
Blackford 
4.7 Blackford is located in the River Forth catchment within Potentially Vulnerable
Area (PVA) 09/12. 
4.8 The main potential source of flooding in Blackford is the Allan Water. Other
smaller tributaries of the Allan Water, namely the Danny Burn, the Back Burn
and the Kinpauch Burn also present a risk of flooding. The flood study has
also given consideration to other small watercourses within the vicintity of
Blackford including the Burn of Ogilvie, the Damakellis Burn and the Bardrill
Burn. 
4.9 In October 2018, consulting engineers, Stantec Ltd, were engaged to carry
out a flood study for Blackford. Stantec subsequently employed Kaya
Consulting Ltd as their sub-consultants to assist with the delivery of the flood
protection study. 
4.10 Stantec’s investigations involved extensive data gathering and analysis,
consultations, topographic surveys, a hydrological assessment, hydraulic
modelling, an environmental desk study, an options study, an economic
appraisal and the production of final reports. 
4.11 The flood study analysed the flooding mechanisms affecting Blackford and a
series of flood hazard maps were produced. The study identified that up to 32
residential properties and 6 commercial properties are potentially at risk
during a 1 in 200 year flood event (the flood event with a 0.5% chance of
occurring in any one year). The A9 was also highlighted as being at risk of
flooding. 
4.12 In managing flood risk, the Council is required to have regard to the economic,
social and environmental impact of its actions. The Scottish Government’s
guidance recommends that decision making in flood risk management should
be supported by an options appraisal. 
4.13 Options appraisal includes a cost-benefit analysis and other techniques to
determine whether a flood protection scheme meets its objectives, is
sustainable and represents best value for money. In general, the cost of flood
damage avoided over time must be greater than the cost of building the flood
defences, i.e., they must achieve a benefit/cost ratio of greater than 1.0. 
4.14 Stantec initially considered a long list of potential options to manage the risk of
flooding. This long list was refined by a technical, environmental and
economic appraisal until a short list of 4 options was selected for more
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detailed analysis. This short list of potential options, together with the
estimated costs and benefit/cost ratios, is shown in Appendix 1.  
4.15 All four of the short-listed options produced benefit/cost ratios that were
greater than 1.0. However, only options 3 and 4 would achieve the study
objective of defending all properties (residential and non-residential) at risk of
flooding in the 200 year flood event. 
4.16 Options 2 and 3 would include property level protection (PLP) measures and
these produced the greatest benefit/cost ratios. However, as noted in the table
in Appendix 1, there are known limitations which must be considered with
these measures. Relying on PLP would lead to uncertainty as to the level of
flood protection and could still result in properties being flooded. Nevertheless,
the study has highlighted that property level protection measures are an
appropriate way for residents to take action to reduce the flood risk at their
property. 
4.17 The study concluded that Option 4 produced the best level of flood protection
for Blackford, despite having the highest capital cost and lowest benefit/cost
ratio. It was the only option considered that also defended the A9 from
potential flooding, and there is scope to include wider benefits in terms of
amenity and biodiversity. 
4.18 The flood study therefore recommended Option 4 which includes the following
set of actions: 
a) A new diversion channel to take higher flows of water from the Danny
Burn to the Burn of Ogilvie; 
b) A new diversion channel to take higher flows of water from the Back and
Kinpauch Burns into the Allan Water;
c) A new flood wall at Highland Spring to reduce the risk of flooding from the
Allan Water;
d) Natural flood management measures (earth bunds or other suitable water
retention features) upstream of Blackford to increase floodplain storage on
the Allan Water. 
4.19 A plan showing the recommended option is provided in Appendix 2. 
4.20 The recommended option is estimated to have a capital cost of £7.8M and an
overall benefit/cost ratio of 1.36.  The flood study has, therefore, concluded
that this flood protection scheme is economically viable and should be
implemented. 
4.21 If these actions were to be implemented, then a total of 38 properties would
be protected up to the 1 in 200 year flood. 
4.22 The flood scheme proposals will be developed in more detail in future and
there may be scope to include a further allowance to the level of flood defence
to account for future climate change.  This would potentially defend up to 72
properties, provided the scheme maintained a positive benefit/cost ratio.  The
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impacts of climate change significantly increase the potential level of flood risk
from the Danny Burn, which accounts for the difference in properties that
could be defended. 
4.23 In order to disseminate the findings of the flood study, and to outline how flood
risk is being managed in the area, a community drop-in event was arranged.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this took the form of an online presentation
held on 14 October 2021. Information was also placed on the Council’s
website to allow the community to view and comment on the study findings.
Further details are provided in Section 4 of the Annex to this report. 
Invergowrie 
4.24 Invergowrie is located within the Tay Estuary and Montrose Basin catchment
within Potentially Vulnerable Area (PVA) 07/12. 
4.25 The main potential source of flooding to Invergowrie and the surrounding area
is the Invergowrie Burn and its tributaries including the Fowlis, Liff, Balruddery
and Lochee Burns. 
4.26 In March 2020, consulting engineers, Sweco UK Ltd, were engaged to carry
out a Natural Flood Management (NFM) study for Invergowrie. 
4.27 Sweco’s investigations involved extensive data gathering and analysis,
consultations, topographic surveys, a hydrological assessment, hydraulic
modelling, an environmental desk study, an options study, an economic
appraisal and the production of final reports. 
4.28 The flood study analysed the flooding mechanisms affecting Invergowrie and
the surrounding area, and a series of flood hazard maps were produced. The
study identified that up to 24 residential properties and 3 non-residential
properties were potentially at risk during a 1 in 200 year flood event (the flood
event with 0.5% chance of occurring in any one year). 
4.29 In managing flood risk, the Council is required to have regard to the economic,
social and environmental impact of its actions. The Scottish Government’s
guidance recommends that decision making in flood risk management should
be supported by an options appraisal. 
4.30 Options appraisal includes a cost-benefit analysis and other techniques to
determine whether a flood protection scheme meets its objectives, is
sustainable and represents best value for money. In general, the cost of flood
damage avoided over time must be greater than the cost of building the flood
defences, i.e., they must achieve a benefit/cost ratio of greater than 1.0. 
4.31 Sweco initially considered a long list of potential options (focusing primarily on
NFM measures) to manage the risk of flooding. This long list was refined by a
technical, environmental and economic appraisal until a short list of 5 options
was selected for more detailed analysis. This short list of potential options,
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together with the, estimated costs and benefit/cost ratios, is shown in
Appendix 3.  
4.32 Plans showing each option are included in Appendix 4. 
4.33 Sweco concluded that none of the options considered have a benefit/cost ratio
greater than 1.0 and a natural flood management scheme for Invergowrie and
the surrounding area is therefore not economically viable.  
4.34 Work on an NFM scheme has therefore not progressed to the design stage
and does not form part of the published Tay Estuary & Montrose Basin FRM
Plan or Local FRM Plan. 
4.35 The study has also informed other on-going actions to managed flood risk
under the 2009 Act.  Invergowrie is one of the 254 Potentially Vulnerable
Areas (PVAs) in Scotland that have been identified as being at a significant
risk of flooding and where flood risk management actions should be
prioritised.  The current Tay Local FRM Plan includes the following actions for
Invergowrie: 
• Strategic flood mapping and modelling (Scottish Water)
• Flood Forecasting (SEPA);
• Awareness raising;
• Self-help measures;
• Maintenance (clearance and repair works);
• Emergency plans/response;
• Managing flood risk through the application of development planning policy 
4.36 The recommendations and conclusions within Sweco’s final report align with
the actions proposed as part of the current Tay Estuary & Montrose Basin
Local FRM Plan. 
4.37 As noted at 4.6, individuals, businesses and communities must play a critical
role in making themselves more resilient and helping to reduce the impact of
flooding.  The Tay Local FRM Plan therefore includes actions which are
intended to enable communities to act and to become more resilient to
flooding. 
4.38 In order to disseminate the findings of the flood study, and to outline how flood
risk is being managed in the area, an online community consultation event
took place between 8 and 25 September 2022. Further details are provided in
Section 4 of the Annex to this report. 
4.39 The Council will continue to raise awareness of flooding and encourage the
local community and other landowners to become more prepared and resilient
to deal with flooding in the future. 
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5. PROPOSALS 
Blackford 
5.1 The Council’s consulting engineers have recommended a flood protection
scheme for Blackford. It is proposed that this scheme is taken forward by the
Council. 
5.2 The Council’s consulting engineers, Stantec Ltd, have recommended a flood
protection scheme that involves a collection of localised actions, as set out in
section 4.18 of this report. 
5.3 The proposed flood protection scheme is shown in Appendix 2 of this report. 
Invergowrie 
5.4 As the consulting engineers report has demonstrated that a natural flood
management scheme in Invergowrie is not economically viable, it is proposed
that no further work should be undertaken on the development of this scheme.
This is consistent with the published Tay Estuary & Montrose Basin FRM
Plan. 
5.5 The Council will continue to manage flood risk in the Invergowrie area by
implementing the actions set out in the published Tay FRM Plan and Local
FRM Plan. 
Next Steps 
5.6 SEPA set a deadline of the end of December 2019 for local authorities to
identify new flood schemes for inclusion in the second cycle of FRM Plans
and Local FRM Plans covering the period from 2022-2028. The flood
schemes identified across Scotland were then to be prioritised and added to
an updated national priority list. 
5.7 As the initial outputs from the Blackford flood study were available at that
time, the recommended flood scheme was submitted to SEPA for
prioritisation. The proposed scheme has also been included in the updated
Forth Local FRM Plan and will be included in the new Forth Local FRM Plan,
which will cover the period from 2022-2028. 
5.8 The new Forth Local FRM Plan should set out the proposed implementation
arrangements for the flood scheme in Blackford, including timescales and how
it will be funded. However, due to the on-going Scottish Government/CoSLA
review of capital funding for flood schemes, and the other schemes that the
Council is already progressing, the timescales and funding arrangements for
the Blackford scheme remain unclear for the time being. The next phases of
work to develop the flood scheme proposals will therefore not commence until
the funding review provides further clarity around capital grant funding and
provision is made within the Council’s capital programme. 
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6. CONCLUSION   
6.1 The report provides an update on the outcome of separate flood studies in
Blackford and Invergowrie. 
6.2 The Council engaged consulting engineers to carry out these flood studies.
These communities were identified as being among the Council’s highest
priority flood studies within the Forth and the Tay Estuary & Montrose Basin
Flood Risk Management Strategies and Local Flood Risk Management Plans. 
6.3 The Council’s consulting engineers have recommended a flood protection
scheme for Blackford. The proposed scheme is economically viable and the
preliminary proposals consist of various measures to reduce the risk of
flooding in Blackford. This report therefore seeks the Committee’s approval
that the consulting engineer’s recommended proposals be promoted as a
flood scheme for Blackford, subject to funding availability. 
6.4 The Council’s consulting engineers have concluded that a natural flood
management scheme in Invergowrie is not economically viable and therefore
no flood scheme is proposed. The consulting engineers have recommended a
number of actions to mitigate flood risk in the area in the future. These actions
align with those outlined in the published Tay Estuary & Montrose Basin FRM
Strategy and Local FRM Plan. 
Authors
Name  Designation Contact Details
Peter Dickson  Interim Flooding
Manager 
01738 475000
ComCommitteeReports@pkc.gov.uk 
Russell Stewart  Engineer (Flooding) 
Gavin Bissett Engineer (Flooding) 
Approved 
Name Designation Date
Barbara Renton Executive Director (Communities) 8 November 2022 
• Appendix 1 – Blackford Flood Study – Short List of Potential Options
• Appendix 2 – Blackford Flood Study – Plan of Recommended Option
• Appendix 3 – Invergowrie NFM Study – Short List of Potential Options
• Appendix 4 – Invergowrie NFM Study – Plans of Potential Options 
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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  Yes
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  Yes
Risk Yes
Consultation 
Internal  Yes
External  Yes
Communication 
Communications Plan  Yes 
1. Strategic Implications  
Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement 
1.1 The proposals relate to the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Community
Plan/Single Outcome Agreement in terms of the following priorities: 
(iii) Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy
(iv) Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives
(v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations 
Corporate Plan 
1.2 The proposals relate to the achievement of the following priorities in the
Council’s Corporate Plan: 
(iii) Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy; 
(iv) Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives; and 
(v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations. 
2. Resource Implications 
Financial 
2.1 It should be noted that the proposed flood protection scheme in Blackford will
not be implemented at this time. The implementation arrangements (if known)
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will be set out in the Cycle 2 Forth Local FRM Plan, which will cover the six
year period from 2022–2028 and is due to be published in December 2022.
Subject to available funding, consulting engineers will be re-engaged to carry
out further investigations and develop the flood scheme proposals at some
time during 2022-2028. As a result, there are no immediate resource
implications arising directly from the recommendations in this report. 
2.2 However, the flood risk management planning process will have future
financial implications. The next Forth Local FRM Plan will contain the
implementation arrangements including a timetable for the proposed flood
scheme, who will be responsible for implementing it, as well as how it will be
funded (if known) and coordinated by SEPA and the responsible authorities
over the next six year cycle from 2022-2028. 
2.3 The 2009 Act requires the Scottish Government to have regard to the FRM
Plans and Local FRM Plans when allocating funds to SEPA and responsible
authorities. The Scottish Government, CoSLA and SEPA agreed the
distribution of capital funding to the actions identified nationally in the Cycle 1
(2016-2022) FRM Plans and Local FRM Plans. The following arrangements
currently apply: 
(i) Only works and schemes that are prioritised in the FRM Plans and Local
FRM Plans are eligible for capital funding.
(ii) Flood protection schemes attract capital grant assistance of up to 80% of
their estimated project cost at tender stage from the Scottish
Government. Local authorities are required to fund the remainder of the
cost of flood schemes.
(iii) The Scottish Government allocates capital funding to local authorities
engaged in flood risk management across Scotland. 80% of this capital
funding will continue to be allocated to flood protection schemes with the
remaining 20% to other actions within the FRM Plans, as detailed in the
Local FRM Plans. This 20% is distributed to the 32 Scottish local
authorities based on the number of properties at risk of flooding and the
estimated annual average flood damages. 
2.4 At present, the allocated capital grant is adjusted as the flood scheme
proposals are developed. The estimated costs of flood schemes across
Scotland will therefore continue to be reported to the Scottish Government by
local authorities on an annual basis. 
2.5   These arrangements are currently under review by the Scottish Government
and CoSLA, due to the current projected costs of Cycle 1 flood schemes
across the country, and the available funding. 
2.6 The Council currently has four flood protection schemes that had been
included in the national priority list for Cycle 1 from 2016-2022 and work on
them continues. However, as a result of the above review, the 4th priority flood
scheme, on the Annaty Burn in Scone, has been paused. While this scheme
may still progress in the future, it is likely to take longer to implement due to
these funding limitations.
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2.7 No capital funding has been allocated to any new Cycle 2 flood schemes in
Scotland. The Council has not made an allocation for its 20% contribution to
the capital cost at this time. The timescales and funding arrangements for the
proposed new flood scheme in Blackford therefore remain unclear for the time
being. 
2.8 The conclusion of the national review into capital funding for flood schemes is
awaited. 
2.9 The proposals and cost estimates for the recommended flood scheme in
Blackford still have to be developed through a long process of further
investigations, consultation, outline design, the statutory process, detailed
design, tendering and construction. Experience on other similar schemes has
invariably shown that the costs estimated at feasibility stage always increase.
The scheme costs noted in this report are therefore subject to change and will
have to be carefully monitored going forward. 
2.10 There are no current revenue funding implications arising from the
recommendations in this report. 
Workforce 
2.11 There are no workforce implications arising directly from the
recommendations in this report. 
Asset Management (land, property, IT) 
2.12 The proposals in this report have no asset management implications at this
time. 
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 for plans
and policies allows the Council to demonstrate that it is meeting these duties. 
The Equality Impact Assessment undertaken in relation to this report can be
viewed clicking here. 
3.2  The proposals in this report have been considered under the Corporate
Equalities Impact Assessment process (EqIA) with the following outcome. 
(i) It was determined that the proposals be assessed as relevant with the
following actions taken to reduce of remove the following negative
impacts: 
• The construction works for the proposed flood scheme could
temporarily have a greater impact on mobility impaired, sight
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impaired, blind people or disabled people, on children and the elderly
and infirm, and on pregnant women or nursing mothers, in relation to
adverse psychological, physical and health impacts. Appropriate
mitigation measures will be adopted to minimise disruption, noise,
dust and vibration and to ensure adequate safe access throughout the
construction works. 
(ii) The proposals be assessed as relevant with the following positive
outcomes expected following implementation: 
• The proposed flood scheme will have the same positive impact for all
equality groups as the reduction in flood risk to both communities will
provide benefits for all (improved safety, health & wellbeing through
the avoidance of flood impacts and damages) in the long term. 
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 matters presented in this report were considered under the Environmental
Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 and no further action is required as it does
not qualify as a PPS as defined by the Act and is therefore exempt. 
3.5  It is likely that Environmental Impact Assessments will be required to support
the proposed flood schemes described in this report. These assessments will
be progressed once consulting engineers have been engaged. 
Sustainability 
3.6 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. 
3.7 Following an assessment using the Integrated Appraisal Toolkit, it was
previously determined that the proposal is likely to contribute positively to the
following corporate sustainable development principles: 
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(i) Climate Change 
Efficient use of resources now and in the future in the built environment
and service provision (e.g. energy efficiency, land, water resources,
flood defence, waste minimisation) (Principle 2)
Mitigation and adaptation to manage the impact of climate change &
reduce the production of greenhouse gases (Principle 3) 
Justification:
The flood scheme proposed in this report will help to manage the
increased flood risk to Blackford brought about by climate change. 
(ii) Community 
Creating a sense of place (e.g. a place with a positive ‘feeling' for
people, and local distinctiveness) (Principle 22) 
Justification:
The flood scheme proposed in the report will help to make the
Blackford community safer and more sustainable for residents, through
a reduction in flood risk. This will help the communities to thrive in the
longer term despite the temporary construction impacts. 
3.8 Following an assessment using the Integrated Appraisal Toolkit, it was
previously determined that the proposal is likely to contribute negatively to the
following corporate sustainable development principles: 
(iii) Consumption and Resources 
Efficient use of resources now and in the future in the built environment
and service provision (e.g. energy efficiency, land, water resources,
flood defence, waste minimisation) (Principle 2)
Mitigation and adaptation to manage the impact of climate change &
reduce the production of greenhouse gases (Principle 3) 
Justification:
There will be a short-term increase in the use of materials and
resources during construction of the flood scheme, but a future
reduction due to reduced flood risk. 
Mitigation:
The Environmental Impact Assessment and eventual Construction
Environmental Management Plan will consider energy consumption
and waste management practices during construction. 
Legal and Governance 
3.9 The Head of Legal and Governance has been consulted on this report. 
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3.10 The legal basis for the proposals set out in this report is the Flood Risk
Management (Scotland) Act 2009. 
Risk 
3.11 Flooding is a natural phenomenon that can never be entirely prevented.
However, the Council is required to manage and, where possible, reduce
flood risk. 
3.12 The flood scheme proposed in this report will reduce flood risk in Blackford.
The risks associated with the proposals set out in this report will be identified
and managed through this individual project. 
4. Consultation 
Internal 
4.1 The Head of Legal and Governance and the Head of Finance have been
consulted in the preparation of this report. 
External 
Blackford 
4.2 Blackford Community Council, SEPA, NatureScot, the Allan Water Steering
Group (comprising the Forth Rivers Trust, Nature Scot, Scottish Government,
Scottish Forestry and SEPA) and all relevant landowners and occupiers were
consulted during the development of the proposals. 
4.3 Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the flood study information was placed on the
Council’s website and consultation hub from 17 September to 5 November
2021 to allow the community to view and comment on the findings. A live
online presentation was also held on 14 October 2021. This provided detail
on: 
• the risk of flooding in Blackford;
• the outcome of the Council’s flood study;
• work to raise awareness of flooding and to help the local community to
become more prepared and resilient to deal with flooding. 
4.4  The live online event consisted of a presentation from the Council setting out
the proposals, with the opportunity for residents to submit questions to the
project team. The project team consisted of representatives from the Council’s
Flooding Team, Stantec Ltd, Kaya Consulting Ltd, SEPA and the Scottish
Flood Forum. The event was recorded and remains available to view via the
Council’s Youtube channel at: https://youtu.be/lom2y6IpXHQ. 
4.5 A letter was issued to the local elected members and the Community Council,
and 426 letters were sent to residents and businesses within the local
community, to highlight the availability of the online information. Social media
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posts were also arranged through the Council’s communications team. The
Community Council also helped by circulating the information through their
channels of communication. 
4.6 A total of 9 responses were provided as a mixture of e-mails and completed
comment forms, with each covering a number of comments and questions. 
4.7 In general, the comments received from the community were positive. The
majority of the comments were made in relation to the flood risk maps
produced by the study. Some comments were made about the proposal for a
flood wall as part of the recommended scheme and a concern was also raised
about the suitability of one of the watercourses to receive the diverted flow of
water included as part of the proposals. Further consultation with the
community will be carried out if the proposals are to be taken forward. 
4.8 The Council has issued a response to the community to answer any questions
raised during the online consultation period. 
Invergowrie 
4.9 SEPA, Scottish Water, Angus Council, Dundee City Council, NatureScot, the
James Hutton Institute and all relevant landowners and occupiers were
consulted during the development of the proposals. 
4.10 An online public consultation event was held between 8 and 25 September
2022 via the Council’s consultation hub. The aim of this exercise was to
provide the local community with further information on:- 
• the risk of flooding in Invergowrie;
• the findings from the Invergowrie NFM study; and
• other actions to raise awareness and improve community flood
resilience. 
4.11 A newsletter was issued to the local elected members and 280 local residents
and businesses to advertise the information provided on the Council’s
consultation hub. The information provided summarised the work carried out
by the consulting engineers and how flood risk might be managed in the
future.  The online consultation event was also advertised on the Council’s
social media.  A total of 3 responses were received.   
4.12 In general, the response to the online consultation event was limited. 
However, it should be noted that the flood study has confirmed that flooding in
Invergowrie, and the surrounding area, only affects a small number of
properties on an infrequent basis.   
4.13 The Council has issued a response to the community to answer any questions
raised during the online consultation period. 
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5. Communication 
5.1 The communication arrangements to date were as noted in Section 4 above. 
5.2 The Council will continue to communicate with the local community, statutory
consultees, local landowners and other stakeholders as the scheme
proposals are developed. 
2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 
2.1 The following background papers, as defined by Section 50D of the Local
Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (and not containing confidential of exempt
information) were relied on to a material extent in the preparation of the above
report: 
• PKC – Environment Committee – 9 September 2015, The Flood Risk
Management (Scotland) Act 2009, Selected Actions and Prioritisation
(Report No. 15/359).
• PKC – Environment Committee – 1 June 2016, The Flood Risk
Management (Scotland) Act 2009, Publication of Local Flood Risk
Management Plans (Report No 16/241).
• PKC – Environment and Infrastructure Committee – 23 January 2019, The
Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, Publication of Interim
Report (Report No 19/16).
• PKC – Environment and Infrastructure Committee – 19 May 2021, The
Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009: Second Cycle of Flood Risk
Management Plans (Report No 21/60). 
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Appendix 1
Table 1: Option Appraisal Summary Table 
Option 1 
Maintenance plus small flood defence
ancillary works 
(The Cross and Abercairney Place) 
Option 2 
Property Level Protection (PLP) (residential
properties only) 
Option 3 
Direct Flood Defences (Tullibardine &
Highland Spring) + Property Level
Protection (PLP) (residential properties) 
Option 4 
Diversion Channel (Danny Burn / Back
Burn / Kinpauch Burn) plus Direct
Defences (Highland Spring) plus Natural
Flood Management 
All properties protected
(200 year event)?
No  No  Yes  Yes 
Initial Capital cost  £841,769 £192,000 £4,635,345 £7,823,860
Benefit:Cost Ratio 1.4 2.9 1.77 1.36
Assessment of option Option doesn’t fully meet study objectives. 
Only defends The Cross and Abercairney
Place.  Other properties still at risk. 
Repeated dredging not recommended on
environmental grounds. 
Option doesn’t fully meet study objectives. 
PLP not suitable for non-residential
properties, which therefore remain at risk. 
Flood protection relies on measures being
installed properly by homeowners (in
advance of flooding), and suitable
maintenance. 
Typical life span of around 20-30 years
before replacement required. 
Uptake of PLP measures is historically poor. 
Only effective up to certain flood depths
(typically 0.6m) – modelled 1 in 200 year
flood depths are up to 0.4m (for residential
properties).
All properties offered a degree of
protection but see below. 
Flood protection provided by PLP relies on
measures being installed properly by
homeowners (in advance of flooding), and
suitable maintenance. 
Typical life span of PLP around 20-30
years before replacement required also. 
Uptake of PLP measures is historically
poor. 
PLP only effective up to certain flood
depths (typically 0.6m). – modelled 1 in
200 year flood depths are up to 0.4m (for
residential properties). 
All properties defended – plus benefit to
the A9. 
Diversion works are remote from the
village thereby reducing impact (both
during construction and longer-term).   
Visual impact of direct defences also
limited. 
NFM opportunities through reuse of
material claimed on site during
construction.   
Potential for multiple benefits
(biodiversity/habitat creation/amenity)
along diversion routes and NFM. 
Option 1 is not recommended Option 2 is not recommended Option 3 is not recommended Option 4 is recommended 
5
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Appendix 2 – Recommended Option for Blackford Flood Protection Scheme 
Recommended Option Summary:
1. Diversion channel for high flows from Danny Burn to
Burn of Ogilvie 
2. Diversion channel for high flows from Back Burn to
Allan Water 
3. Diversion channel for high flows from Kinpauch Burn
to Allan Water 
4. Direct Defences at Highland Spring 
5. Natural flood management (NFM) measures to
increase floodplain storage on upper Allan Water 
5
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Appendix 3 – Invergowrie NFM Study – Short List of Potential Options 
Table 1: Option Appraisal Summary Table 
Option 1 
In channel measures to
attenuate flows along the
upper Fowlis Burn including
riparian planting, leaky
dams, and woodland
management in Fowlis Den 
Option 2 
Catchment wide measures
including reforestation,
distributed surface water
storage, and sustainable land
management practices 
Option 3 
Structural measures including
de-culverting sections of the
Fowlis Burn, incorporating a
bypass channel close to Fowlis,
and removing embankments to
reconnect the Fowlis Burn with
its floodplain 
Option 4 
Direct Flood Defences within
Invergowrie including walls
upstream and downstream of
Main Street and Burnside Road 
Option 5 
Non-structural measures such as
more frequent and extensive
inspection visits of structures in the
upper catchment; the promotion of
sustainable land management (such
as enhanced flood water storage or
woodland planting), property buy-
back, awareness raising, and
updates to local planning policies to
consider flood plain management 
Properties protected  
in 1 in 200 year flood  0 12 12 16 0*
Initial Capital 
Cost £425,600 £2,032,240 £2,340,800 £2,128,000 £4,583,240
Benefit/Cost Ratio 0.00 0.21 0.30 0.08 0.20
Assessment of Option
Option doesn’t fully meet
study objectives. 
Potential for the installation of
leaky dams and riparian
planting. 
Small ecological benefit noted,
but unlikely to improve
watercourse condition. 
Very limited benefit in terms
of reducing flood risk.
Option doesn’t fully meet study
objectives. 
Modelling indicates that
catchment wide measures
would have a limited benefit in
terms of reducing flood risk. 
Significant flood storage volume
required to reduce flows
reaching Invergowrie; this would
be extremely large and
benefit/cost would be low. 
Further issues noted with land
ownership and maintenance.
Option doesn’t fully meet study
objectives. 
Measures are costly and would
require extensive work on the
watercourses. 
Option has a limited benefit in
terms of reducing flood risk.
Option doesn’t fully meet study
objectives. 
Measures could potentially lead to
a deterioration in the
environmental status of the
watercourse. 
Works would be intrusive and
require substantial construction
and land resources. 
Option has a limited benefit in
terms of reducing flood risk. 
Option doesn’t fully meet study
objectives. 
Option includes a mix of measures; the
main benefit would be derived from
buying (*not protecting) 28 properties
& re-naturalising flood plains over the
longer term. Landownership would be
a major constraint. 
Benefits would be realised over long
term; requiring long term investment. 
Would provide wider benefits from
education and engagement. 
Option 1 is not
recommended
Option 2 is not
recommended
Option 3 is not 
recommended
Option 4 is not 
recommended
Option 5 is not 
recommended 
5
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Page 1 of 4 
Appendix 4 - Invergowrie NFM Study – Plans of Potential Options 
Option 1 In channel measures to attenuate flows along the upper Fowlis
Burn including riparian planting, leaky dams, and woodland
management in Fowlis Den. 
Option 2 Catchment wide measures including reforestation, distributed
surface water storage, and sustainable land management
practices. 
5
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Page 2 of 4 
Option 3 Structural measures including de-culverting sections of the Fowlis
Burn, incorporating a bypass channel close to Fowlis, and
removing embankments to reconnect the Fowlis Burn with its
floodplain. 
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Page 3 of 4 
Option 4 Direct flood defences within Invergowrie including walls upstream
and downstream of Main Street and Burnside Road. 
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Page 4 of 4 
Option 5 Non-structural measures such as more frequent and extensive
inspection visits of structures in the upper catchment; the
promotion of sustainable land management (such as enhanced
flood water storage or woodland planting), property buy-back,
awareness raising, and updates to local planning policies to
consider flood plain management. 
(No Drawing).
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL 
CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE 
16 November 2022 
PUBLIC BODIES CLIMATE CHANGE DUTIES REPORTING 2022 – CARBON
EMISSIONS 
Report by Executive Director (Communities)
(Report No. 22/282) 
1. PURPOSE 
1.1 This report provides an overview of the Council’s annual climate change
Public Bodies Climate Change Duty (PBCCD) Reporting submission. It
includes an update on the Council’s carbon footprint and emissions trends for
the reporting year 2021/22 along with benchmarking information to inform
decisions and ensure effective performance monitoring. Based on this
evidence, the report to the Scottish Government has been developed for
submission. 
2. RECOMMENDATIONS 
2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: 
(i) notes the contents of the report, along with the contents of the Public
Bodies Climate Change Duty Report to the Scottish Government
(Appendix A). 
(ii) notes the progress in developing benchmarking information and the
need to use it to provide an evidence-based platform to inform
decisions and monitor performance. 
(iii) requests officers to develop a detailed decarbonisation trajectory
before November 2023 to enable more detailed plans to be included in
future year submissions. 
(iv) requests officers to develop a robust Scope 3 reporting methodology
for the Council by November 2023. 
3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 
3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: 
• Section 4: Background/Main Issues 
• Section 5: Conclusion  
• Appendices 
6
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4. BACKGROUND / MAIN ISSUES 
4.1 Perth & Kinross Council, as a listed public body in Schedule 1 of the Climate
Change (Duties of Public Bodies; Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Order
2015 as amended by the Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting
Requirements) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020, is required to report
annually via the Sustainable Scotland Network Report to the Scottish
Government. This is required in order that Perth & Kinross Council complies
with its climate change duties as established under Section 44 of the Climate
Change (Scotland) Act 2009, and as stated in Schedule 2 of the 2015 Order. 
4.2 In addition to the above, the 2020 Amendment Order set out additional
reporting requirements from 2021/22 in response to the global climate
emergency and Scotland’s net zero targets, as well as the interim targets as
set out in the legislation. The compliance reports must now address additional
sections that include, but are not limited to, the Council’s target date for
achieving zero direct emissions; how the Council will align its spending plans
and use of resources to deliver its emissions reduction targets; and how the
Council will publish its progress to achieving its emissions reductions targets. 
4.3 Public Bodies Climate Change Duty (PBCCD) Reporting on carbon emissions
is key for the Council to understand how much progress is being made, but
also to benchmark our performance with other public sector bodies. 
4.4 Since the Council’s first report in the pilot year 2014/15, the Council’s carbon
footprint has been steadily decreasing until this year. This is illustrated in the
table below. The baseline year has been set as 2015/16 as per the reporting
guidance, as in 2014/15 only Scope 1 & 2 emissions were calculated. For
greater clarity, the Scope 1 data has been sub-divided down to energy and
transport. The trend over time is shown visually in Graph 1 and by sector for
2021/22 in Graph 2.   
Table 1: Perth & Kinross Council’s Carbon Footprint with updated values
(tCO2e) 
Reporting
Year 
Scope 1
Total 
Scope 1
Energy
Scope 1
Transport
Scope 2  Scope 3  Total
Footprint  
2015/16  9,033 9,033 Not
reported
14,676 14,995 38,705 
2016/17  8,339  8,339 Not
reported
12,661  18,859  39,859 
2017/18  8,593  8,593 Not
reported
9,967  19,153  37,713 
2018/19  10,189  7,573 2,607 5,314 20,488 35,982
2019/20  10,722  8,038 2,684 6823 19,560  37,105
2020/21  10,163 7,830 2,333 5,106 19,337  34,605
2021/22  10,670  8,081 2,589 5,217  20,122  36,008 
Note: In some of the earlier PBCCD submissions, emissions were not included
in the relevant categories and some were erroneously excluded.  The above
table reflects the corrected and updated values. 
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4.5  The scopes mentioned in Table 1 above refer to: 
i. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources owned or
controlled by the Council, e.g., emissions from fleet or oil-fired boilers.
ii. Scope 2 emissions are from the generation of purchased electricity.
iii. Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect emissions which relate to the
Council’s activities, including waste, homeworking, or emissions
associated with electricity which is lost in the Transmission and
Distribution system used for delivering purchased electricity. 
Graph 1: Perth & Kinross Council’s Carbon Footprint (tCO2e) 
Graph 2: Perth & Kinross Council’s Carbon Footprint divided by Sector 
4.6 As 2020/21 was a unique year and, as such, it is not unexpected that the
Council’s total carbon footprint increased in 2021/22. This year-on-year
increase is largely attributed to return to business-as-usual levels of vehicle
use across Council’s fleet and property estate. When comparing the latest
figures to the Council’s emissions to pre-Covid emissions of 2019/20, the
Homeworking (Scope 3) 1%
Energy (Scopes
1,2&3)
38%
Waste (Scope 3)
53%
Transport (Scopes 1&3)
8%
PKC EMISSIONS BY SECTOR 2021/22
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levels are relatively similar.  A slight increase in Scope 1 emissions from
energy has been attributed to the conflicting nature of increased ventilation
and heating. 
4.7 Positively, there is a decreasing trend in Scope 2 emissions when comparing
2021/22 emissions to 2019/20. This is attributed to energy efficiency
improvements, reduced electricity consumption associated with lower building
occupancy and a decreased grid intensity factor. 
4.8  The increase in Scope 3 emissions is primarily associated with increased
collection of ‘Refuse Commercial and Industrial’ to landfill, due to both an
increase in volume collected and also an updated emissions factor from
DEFRA that is significantly higher than the previous value. 
4.9 Overall combined Scope 1,2 and 3 emissions decreased by 3% between
2019/20 and 2021/22. This is less than the identified value of 8% per year
needed to meet decarbonisation targets. 
4.10 With regards to renewable energy, generation, consumption and export of
renewable energy including renewable electricity and heat has increased over
the last few years. This year, the Council is also reporting on renewable heat
generated by ground source heat pumps, an energy technology that has not
been reported previously. 
4.11 In this year’s report, there was a new requirement to set the interim and net
zero emissions and energy targets. The net zero date for the Council has
been set as 2045 to align with the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan
(Report No. 21/245 refers) of ‘Achieving Net Zero aligned with the Paris
Agreement and the Scottish Government Targets, with the ambition of
achieving them sooner.’ Sector specific targets in relation to energy as
provided in the same report have also been outlined. Following the completion
of priority climate action projects to develop a decarbonisation strategy for the
Council Estate and an EV Fleet transition plan, there will be scope to review
and set more detailed interim targets. 
Table 2: Perth & Kinross Council’s targets
Name of target Target
Baseline
figure
Units of
baseline
Target
completion
year
Net zero target net zero by 2045  43,308  tCO2e 2045/46
Emissions arising
from Council Estate
(non-domestic
properties)
achieve a 75%
emissions reduction
from public sector
buildings by 2030  17,585  tCO2e 2030/31
Energy consumption
reduction target for
non-domestic Perth
and Kinross Council
portfolio
3% annual reduction
for 2022/23  57,939,867  kWh 2022/23
Remove oil as fuel for
heating and hot water
in PKC estate
all sites with oil as
heat to be removed
by 2030  2,923,457  kWh 2030/31
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4.12 The second new requirement was to include ‘where applicable, targets for
reducing indirect emissions of greenhouse gases’.  This is covered at a high
level by the Council’s 2045 net zero commitment. In order to set a more
focused target, it is necessary to have a comprehensive baseline. To date, the
Council has been measuring and reporting on the indirect (Scope 3)
emissions for the fields requested by the PBCCD reporting template, but it is
recognised that there are several important Scope 3 emissions categories not
included in the report template which the Council should be considering when
reviewing a Scope 3 target. These include the emissions associated with staff
travel, purchased goods and services, and Council investments and pensions.
There is need to develop a robust Scope 3 reporting methodology for the
Council and it is proposed that such methodology should be developed by
November 2023. 
4.13 Our understanding of how to calculate Scope, 1, 2 and 3 emissions needs to
improve despite its complexity and ever changing criteria, as it provides an
evidence-based platform to inform decisions and monitor performance. 
5. CONCLUSION   
5.1  Perth & Kinross Council’s carbon footprint in 2021/22 has increased in
comparison to the previous reporting year. This is mainly attributed to the
comparison with 2020/21 where a significant drop in emissions was identified. 
This was as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the energy
and transport sectors. 
5.2  The latest comparable reporting year without the impacts of covid-19 was
2019/20 and, when comparing figures, a decrease in emissions is noticed.
However, the emissions reductions trend when comparing 2021/22 to 2019/20
is not sufficient to meet Perth & Kinross Council’s own climate targets as well
as statutory targets. (Report No. 21/245 refers). 
5.3 Public Bodies Climate Change Duty Reporting on climate action and carbon
emissions is key for the Council to understand how much progress is being
made.  It also allows us to benchmark our performance with other public
sector bodies. Our understanding of how to calculate Scope, 1, 2 and 3
emissions needs to improve despite its complexity and ever changing criteria. 
5.4 Working towards achieving the actions as outlined in the Action Plan must
remain a key priority for Perth & Kinross Council.  This is in order to
accelerate the decrease in emissions trends and comply with the net zero and
interim targets as set out in the legislation. 
Author
Name  Designation Contact Details
Eirini Kourtesi  Climate Change and Sustainable
Development Officer 
(01738) 475000
ComCommitteeReports@pkc.gov.uk 
Divindy Grant Climate Change and Sustainable
Development Team Leader 
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Approved 
Name Designation Date
Barbara Renton  Executive Director
(Communities)
8 November 2022 
APPENDICES 
• Appendix A – PKC PBCCD 2022 - Draft 
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ANNEX 
1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION 
Strategic Implications Yes / None
Community Plan / Single Outcome Agreement  Y
Corporate Plan  Y
Resource Implications  
Financial  N
Workforce N
Asset Management (land, property, IST) N
Assessments  
Equality Impact Assessment N
Strategic Environmental Assessment N
Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) Y
Legal and Governance  Y
Risk N
Consultation 
Internal  Y
External  N
Communication 
Communications Plan  N 
1. Strategic Implications  
Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement 
1.1 The activities detailed in the report supports the delivery of Perth and Kinross
Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement in terms of the following
priorities: 
(i) Giving every child the best start in life; 
(ii) Developing educated, responsible, and informed citizens; 
(iii) Promoting a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable economy; 
(iv) Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives; and 
(v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations. 
1.2 This report relates to (v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future
generations. 
Corporate Plan 
1.3 The activities detailed in the report supports the achievement of the Council’s
Corporate Plan Priorities: 
(i) Giving every child the best start in life; 
(ii) Developing educated, responsible, and informed citizens; 
(iii) Promoting a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable economy; 
(iv) Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives; and 
(v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations.
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1.4  This report relates to (v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future
generations. 
2. Resource Implications 
Financial 
2.1 There are no financial implications arising from the recommendations in the
report. 
Workforce 
2.2 There are no workforce implications arising from the recommendations in the
report. 
Asset Management (land, property, IT) 
2.3 There are no asset management implications arising from the
recommendations in the report. 
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 for plans
and policies allows the Council to demonstrate that it is meeting these duties. 
3.2 The information contained within this report has been considered under the 
Corporate Equalities Impact Assessment Process (EqIA) and has been
assessed as not relevant for the purposes of EqIA. 
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 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 
3.5 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
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(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. 
3.6 The information contained within this report has been considered against the
Council’s Principles for Sustainable Development and the report aims to
ensure compliance with the reporting requirements under the Acts. 
Legal and Governance 
3.7 The Head of Legal and Governance has been consulted. 
4. Consultation 
Internal 
4.1 There has been no other internal consultation. 
2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 
2.1 No background papers, as defined by Section 50D of the Local Government
(Scotland) Act 1973 (other than any containing confidential or exempt
information) were relied on to a material extent in preparing the above report.
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