Appendix 1
Perth and Kinross Council · 15 February 2023
Back to Climate Change and Sustainability Committee — 15 February 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Appendix 1 Perth & Kinross Council Best Value & Sustainable Development Progress Report 2022/23
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INTRODUCTION Sustainable Development is commonly defined as ’development which balances social, economic, and environmental well-being in the impact of activities and decisions, while seeking to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. As defined through the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) shown in Figure 1, this agenda provides a plan of action for People, Planet, and Prosperity: “…promoting prosperity while protecting the planet - recognising that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection”. Fig 1. UN Sustainable Development Goals Sustainable Development is not about achieving individual goals. Progress in one goal can both depend on, and unlock, progress in another – and interconnected goals require an interconnected approach.
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Background The Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 introduced a statutory framework for local authorities to deliver Best Value. Best Value is about ‘ensuring that there is good governance and effective management of resources, with a focus on improvement, to deliver the best possible outcomes for the public’. The Council has a key role to play in delivering Best Value to promote environmental, social and economic well-being, as an employer with responsibility for staff and buildings, as a provider of local services, and as a community leader working in partnership with other organisations, stakeholders and local communities. Best Value guidance has been in place since 2004 to help local authorities develop arrangements to demonstrate continuous improvement in their performance. Revised guidance was published in 2020 and framed around seven themes, with Theme 6 relating to the achievement of Sustainable Development. In recent years, emerging national and local priorities have concentrated focus onto specific areas of sustainable development, with less focus on sustainable development as an integrated delivery framework for environmental, social and economic well-being. Scotland reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development in July 2015, when it became one of the first countries in the world to adopt the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Scotland, the goals are implemented through the National Performance Framework (NPF). In Perth and Kinross, the Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP) and the Corporate Plan align with, and help deliver, both the NPF and the SDGs. The current cost of living crisis and the climate and biodiversity emergencies mean embedding sustainable development in our Council operations has never been more important. Sustainable Development is a key pillar in the framework for ensuring that we are achieving Best Value in everything that that the Council does. The revised 2020 guidance provides a good opportunity to reflect on, and update, the Council’s use of the sustainable development best value framework to refresh our approach.
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Other duties Along with the Best Value duty - sustainable development is also a key consideration in the following statutory duties placed upon the Council: Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 - along with duties to contribute to Scotland’s emissions reduction targets and adaptation framework, the Council also has a duty to act “in a way that it considers most sustainable”. Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 - requires the Council to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) when preparing plans, programmes and strategies, if it is likely they will have significant environmental effects. A SEA aims to better protect the environment while ensuring development is sustainable. Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 - outlines the Sustainable Procurement Duty, requiring the Council to consider how, in conducting the procurement process, it can “improve the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of the authority's area”. Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 - requires the Council to further the conservation of biodiversity when carrying out its functions. Assessing performance Following the development of the SDGs in 2015 and the revised Best Value 2020 guidance, the quality-of-life indicators have been reorganised to demonstrate the Council’s performance and progress towards each of the 17 goals and are available on the Council’s website. The Council’s best value contribution towards sustainable development will be reported annually to the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee, before being published on the Council’s website. Theme 6 of the 2020 Best Value guidance outlines commitments for determining the Council’s progress in, and contribution towards, achieving Sustainable Development. The Council is required to demonstrate the following detailed in Figure 2.
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Fig 2. Best Value Statutory Guidance 2020 – Theme 6 ‘Sustainable Development’ Best Value Commitment Outcome for compliance Corporate commitment towards sustainable development is reflected in the Council’s vision and strategic priorities. Leaders create a culture throughout the Council that focuses on sustainable development, with clear accountability for its delivery across the leadership and management team. Sustainable development considerations are embedded in the Council’s governance arrangements. There is a clear framework in place that facilitates the integration of sustainable development into all Council policies, financial plans, decision making, services and activities through strategic, corporate and service level action. In doing so, the Council will be able to demonstrate that it is making a strategic and operational contribution to sustainable development. There is a broad range of qualitative and quantitative measures and indicators in place to demonstrate the impact of sustainable development in relation to key economic, social, and environmental issues. Performance in relation to sustainable development is evaluated, publicly reported and scrutinised. Systematic approach to the management of resources, which are planned and used in a way that contributes to sustainable development. The Council is committed to managing and using resources in a way that enhances the environment, promotes social cohesion and inclusion and strengthens economic prosperity, now and for future generations. It seeks to do this by considering, integrating, and balancing the corporate sustainable development principles throughout its organisational operation, service delivery and decision-making. Sustainable development is effectively promoted through partnership working. The Council has set out clear guiding principles that demonstrate its, and its partners’, commitment to sustainable development.
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HOW ARE WE PERFORMING? Best Value Commitment 1 Corporate commitment towards sustainable development is reflected in the Council’s vision and strategic priorities Outcome 1 Leaders create a culture throughout the Council that focuses on sustainable development, with clear accountability for its delivery across the leadership and management team. What does compliance look like? How are we currently performing? RAG Status Action Responsibility Timescale 1.1 The Council’s corporate objectives and the Community Plan/Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP) priorities cumulatively represent sustainable development and are seen as an overarching framework for all council activities. The vision and priorities of the Council’s corporate plan (approved December 2022) align with the Community Plan/LOIP priorities - and together reflect proposed action towards environmental, social and economic well-being necessary for achieving sustainable development. This is reinforced through the 7 corporate plan priorities being recognised as interdependent – a key element of sustainable development, with each priority being dependent upon the delivery of the others. The Perth and Kinross Offer adopted in 2022 sets the framework for the Council to transform the way it works with local communities, citizens, partners, businesses, employees and other stakeholders – by co- creating and delivering public services more sustainably. The five themes of the PK Offer collectively have connections to many of the Sustainable G No action.
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Development Goals (SDGs), with actions contributing to sustainable development. 1.2 All elected members and senior management are committed to, and lead on, an integrated approach towards sustainable development. This provides effective scrutiny for sustainable development in all decision- making. The Climate Change and Sustainability Committee was established in 2022 with a focus on climate change, sustainability of the natural environment, biodiversity, and environmental well-being. In view of this, officers recommend that from 2023 onwards, an annual sustainable development performance report will be submitted to the committee for scrutiny and approval. This will provide opportunities to work towards an integrated approach to sustainable development, together with the newly refreshed corporate plan priorities. The Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan are being taking forward and coordinated jointly by the well- established Climate Change Working Groups (CCWG) and Climate Change Board (CCB). The 8 thematic CCWGs cover climate change action towards: Business & Industry, Energy & Buildings, Engagement, Governance, Land-Use, Transport, Waste, and Resilience & Adaptation. The CCWGs have a largely operational focus, and each theme lead works with the Council’s climate change team to ensure regular coordination and integration between themes. The CCB provides strategic focus, direction and scrutiny for climate change, meeting every two months. G ACTION 1.2.1 Sustainable development guidance (including updated SEA guidance) to be produced and accessible via eric for all staff. Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team Apr 2023
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Sustainable Development and Climate Change agendas are now part of the agenda for the Council’s Corporate Policy and Governance Group (CPG). Climate change and sustainable development officers are working with the CPG to develop and implement an Integrated Value and Assessment Tool (IVA). Once established, the IVA will help officers and members screen committee reports for impacts across several areas. These include strategic environmental assessment, climate change, equality and fairness, human and child rights, sustainable procurement and resource use, and financial/budgetary implications. It is intended that the IVA will replace the existing assessment section of the committee report annex, providing an improvement on the current Integrated Appraisal Toolkit (IAT) by allowing for checks on compliance with criteria at all stages of the reporting process. It will also provide statistical evidence, allowing for more effective reporting and scrutiny of decision- making. A ACTION 1.2.2 Training for members, senior management and officers on how to use the IVA for more effective scrutiny of sustainable development. Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team Jun 2023
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Best Value Commitment 2 Sustainable development considerations are embedded in the Council’s governance arrangements Outcome 2 Contribution reflected in Council objectives and highlighted in all plans at corporate and service level and as a guiding principle for all its activities What does compliance look like? How are we currently performing? RAG Status Action Responsibility Timescale 2.1 Strategic plans, strategies and policies are an effective framework for the delivery of sustainable development, and sustainable development principles are considered when developing all policies and strategies. This is reflected in policy delivery and operational activities. Sustainable development is not currently an explicit consideration when developing strategic plans, strategies and policies. Once established the IVA (see 1.2 above) will screen for sustainable development impacts, but more needs to be done to encourage plan makers to use the IVA at the initial stages of plan development. A ACTION 2.1.1 Work with the corporate performance team to explore options for incorporating IVA and Sustainable Development guidance into the existing corporate management framework. Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team/ Corporate Performance Team Aug 2023
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Outcome 3 There is a clear framework in place that facilitates the integration of sustainable development into all the Council’s policies, financial plans, decision making, services and activities through strategic, corporate and service level action. 2.2 A corporate checklist is in place that helps to achieve consistency and integration of sustainable development in corporate policy and practice. Formal methods for integrating sustainable development are used in budget setting, service and financial planning. All existing committee proposals with actionable content (including plans, strategies and policies) currently undergo screening for sustainable development through the Integrated Appraisal Toolkit (IAT). IAT is based on the Council's previous Principles for Sustainable Development and provides a basic audit trail with evidence to justify and support decision- making. It currently screens for Strategic Environmental Assessment, Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment, and Sustainability and Climate Change Assessment. Work is underway to expand and replace the IAT with a new Integrated Value and Assessment Tool (IVA) – see 1.2 above. A ACTION 2.1.2 Develop and implement the IVA. Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team/Corpora te Policy & Governance Team Final version by Mar 2023. Fully implement by Jul 2023 2.3 Risk management processes are effectively improving performance towards long- term sustainable development (as expressed by the community and corporate plans), ensuring that aspirations are supported by capacity to deliver. Established risk management processes are in place and the Strategic Risk Register 2022 identifies key risks, controls and actions for several risk areas which contribute to sustainable development through the achievement of environmental, social and economic well-being - including: Climate Change (SR02), Economic Wellbeing (SR03), Poverty and Inequality (SR04) and Public Service Design and Delivery (SR05). G No action.
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2.4 There is effective support and guidance for management and staff on sustainable development issues and this includes how to integrate them into their work. There is evidence that this is leading to positive change and actively contributing to the achievement of sustainable development. To date, engagement around sustainable development has focused mainly on the screening of plans/policies/strategies through the Integrated Appraisal Toolkit (IAT), and performance information relating to the quality-of-life indicators. Although accessible, more work needs to be done to readily translate this information into operational practices so that sustainable development is fully integrated. The IAT is in the process of being refreshed and a new Impact and Value Assessment Tool (see section 1.2 above) will be launched early in 2023. This revised tool will be accompanied by service specific guidance and case studies to ensure staff effectively screen and account for sustainable development at every stage of the plan/policy/strategy development process. A sustainable development and climate change hub is also in the process of being developed for eric and will be completed in 2023. It will include general guidance on how to integrate sustainable development into service specific roles, and training for sustainable development. A ACTION 2.4.1 Establish sustainable development and climate change hub on eric with general guidance on how to integrate sustainable development into service specific roles; training for sustainable development and a dedicated page and resources for IVA. Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team Mar 2023
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Outcome 4 There is a broad range of qualitative and quantitative measures and indicators in place to demonstrate the impact of sustainable development in relation to key economic, social, and environmental issues. Performance in relation to sustainable development is evaluated, publicly reported and scrutinised. 2.5 Sustainable development indicators exist and were developed through stakeholder participation. They are periodically reviewed and used in corporate priority setting and decision- making. An established set of sustainable development indicators exist and are frequently reviewed and reported to the public via the Council’s website. Several of the same indicators are also used to monitor corporate performance annually - although the sustainable development indicators in their entirety are not currently used to set corporate priorities or for decision-making. G ACTION 2.5.1 Develop a digital indicator platform in 2023 – making the indicators more relevant and allowing the user to compare data across multiple indicators and sustainable development goals. Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team Dec 2023 2.6 Sustainable development is fully integrated into the Council's performance management and reporting procedures and regularly scrutinised. Findings of the sustainable development annual performance report are scrutinised and used to highlight areas for improvement. These are actively considered in all future corporate level plan making. The establishment of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee in 2022 has created a platform for discussion and scrutiny of sustainable development, and from 2023, an annual sustainable development performance report will be submitted to this committee for scrutiny and approval. An update on performance against sustainable development indicators in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals will also be reported annually to the Committee. A ACTION 2.6.1 Submit annual sustainable development performance report to Climate Change & Sustainability Committee for Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team Early 2024
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scrutiny and approval. Best Value Commitment 3 Systematic approach to the management of resources, which are planned and used in a way that contributes to sustainable development Outcome 5 The Council is committed to managing and using resources in a way that enhances the environment, promotes social cohesion and inclusion, and strengthens economic prosperity, now and for future generations. It seeks to do this by considering, integrating, and balancing sustainable development principles throughout its organisational operation, service delivery and decision-making. What does compliance look like? How are we currently performing? RAG Status Action Responsibility Timescale 3.1 Sustainable development principles are considered at all stages of resource management planning (roads, property, public spaces, fleet, IST, procurement, human resources) and all final plans have been impact assessed. The Impact and Value Assessment Tool under development (see 1.2 above) contains both general and detailed screening questions for: environmental assessment; climate change: equality, human and child rights property, and sustainable procurement and resource use, and financial/budgetary impacts. Resource planning issues relating to roads, property, public spaces, fleet, IST, procurement, and human resources are addressed across the various sections of the IVA. A ACTION 2.1.2 above. Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team/ Corporate Policy & Governance Team Final version by Mar 2023. Fully implement by Jul 2023
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3.2 Sustainable procurement principles, based on the Scottish Government Sustainable Procurement Tools, are fully considered during organisational operation, service delivery and decision-making, to ensure procurement processes improve economic, social, and environmental wellbeing. The IVA (see 1.2 above) screening section on Sustainable Resource Management contains detailed screening questions based on the criteria in the Scottish Government Sustainable Procurement - Sustainability Tool. A ACTION 2.1.2 above. Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team/Corpora te Policy & Governance Team Final version by Mar 2023. Fully implement by Jul 2023 A new Perth & Kinross Council Procurement Strategy will be presented to committee for approval in 2023, followed by submission of annual progress reports. This will include a dedicated section on Climate Change. ACTION 3.2.1 Provide an update on Climate Change action within Procurement Strategy. Presented as part of the Sustainable Development Progress Report 2023/24. Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team / Corporate Procurement Team Early 2024
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The Council is required to undertake a Procurement & Commercial Improvement Programme (PCIP) assessment to provide a means of measuring and reporting on its procurement and commercial capabilities through the provision of evidence, based around a series of set questions and other evaluation methods. The PCIP Assessment process is due to commence in 2023, with individual assessments being undertaken in due course. There will be a new section under ‘1.3 Climate Change’ to account for outcomes and progress against developing legislative and best practice requirements for Climate Change. This is demonstrated through the following set questions: • Does your organisation embed climate and circular economy considerations into your corporate procurement strategy and delivery? • Does your Senior Management actively measure and recognise the positive environmental impact that procurement can make in a planned, organisational approach? • Are progress and achievements included in your organisation’s annual procurement reports? PCIP progress will be reported annually in the Sustainable Development Progress Report, beginning from 2023/24. ACTION 3.2.2 Provide update on PCIP progress in relation to set climate change questions. Presented as part of the Sustainable Development Progress Report 2023/24. Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team / Corporate Procurement Team Early 2024
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From 2023, the Council is required to provide a high-level overview of progress against the seven Public Procurement Priorities, of which a number have implications for sustainable development and climate change: 1. Leadership & visibility 2. Sustainable economic recovery 3. Supply chain resilience (Public Sector) 4. Maximise impact of the Sustainable Procurement Duty 5. Climate emergency 6. Achieving professional excellence 7. Develop our use of systems to drive sustainable outcomes and support reporting. ACTION 3.2.3 Provide update on sustainable development and climate change implications in relation to the seven Public Procurement Priorities. Presented as part of the Sustainable Development Progress Report 2023/24. Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team / Corporate Procurement Team Early 2024
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3.3 The Council is fulfilling its legal obligations and duties towards Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). All relevant reports are screened in accordance with national SEA guidance set out by SEA Gateway and published and available as required. Responsibility to undertake SEA lies with the reporting officer, and currently all actionable reports being submitted to committee for approval must undergo at least SEA pre-screening/screening through use of the Council’s Integrated Appraisal Toolkit (IAT). To better monitor compliance with SEA reporting requirements, an Impact and Value Assessment (IVA) is being developed (see 1.2 above). Implementation of the IVA in 2023 will create a database which senior management teams (SMTs) can use to scrutinise statistics on SEA for reports in their service area. SEA compliance statistics will also be reported in future annual sustainable development reports to the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee. A ACTION 1.2.1 above. Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team/Corpora te Policy & Governance Team Final version by Mar 2023. Fully implement by Jul 2023 3.3 The Council is fulfilling its legal obligations and duties towards Climate Change by contributing to Scotland’s emissions reduction targets and adaptation framework and acting in a way that it considers most sustainable. Since 2015/16, the Council has submitted a statutory Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Annual Report to the Scottish Government. Recent years have seen the report become more substantial, as climate related knowledge and information across both the Council and Scotland improves. The latest report was approved by the Climate Change and Sustainability committee in November 2022 and submitted to the Scottish government on time. With the creation of the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Team in 2020, the Council has made good progress towards the Climate Change duty. The Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan was approved by Perth & Kinross Council in December 2021 G ACTION 3.3.1 Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Annual Report submitted to Scottish Government Climate Change and Sustainable Development Team End Nov 2023
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and continues to make good progress towards the Climate Change duty. The CDP City Score uses an independent scoring methodology to assist organisations in measuring and managing their risks and opportunities on climate change. In 2022, Perth and Kinross Council was assessed as having a city score of ‘B – Management level’. This shows improvement on the previous year and indicates the Council has addressed the climate impacts of its business and operations and is ensuring good environmental management throughout its functions. 3.4 The Council is fulfilling its legal obligations and duties towards Biodiversity to further the conservation of biodiversity when carrying out its functions. The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 requires all public bodies to report every three years on how they comply with this duty. The latest Perth & Kinross Council report covers 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020. The next report is due by December 2023. G ACTION 3.4.1 Biodiversity Duty Progress Report approved by Climate Change and Sustainability Committee Climate Change and Sustainable Development Team Dec 2023
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Best Value Commitment 4 Sustainable development is effectively promoted through partnership working Outcome 6 The Council has set out clear guiding principles that demonstrate its, and its partners’, commitment to sustainable development. What does compliance look like? How are we currently performing? RAG Status Action Responsibility Timescale 4.1 Community Planning Partnership priorities are based on a set of sustainable development guiding principles (such as the UN SDGs) and show a clear commitment to sustainable development. This is demonstrated in practice through the joint work of the CPP and monitored by a set of agreed Perth and Kinross wide indicators. Although not referenced explicitly, the vision and priorities of the Community Plan/LOIP together reflect proposed action towards environmental, social and economic well-being necessary for achieving sustainable development. PK performs indicators have been developed by the CPP over several years to monitor the delivery of the actions within the Community Plan/LOIP. G No action. 4.2 Strong and effective multi agency approach to engaging stakeholders in commitment to sustainable development as part of the Community Plan (LOIP) process. Promotion of sustainable development in the community includes actively facilitating the process, providing advice on behaviour change and communicating activity around sustainable development. Adopted in 2022, the Perth and Kinross Offer sets the approach for the Council to work with local communities, citizens, partners, businesses, employees, and other stakeholders – to co-create and deliver public services more sustainably. The five themes of the PK Offer collectively have connections to many of the SDGs, with actions contributing to sustainable development. G No action.
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Sustainable development is promoted within the community with focus on specific topics rather than sustainable development as an integrated concept. There are many ongoing initiatives covering the 17 SDGs which collectively contribute to sustainable development and provide advice on behavioural change – as highlighted through Perth and Kinross Offer in Action. The Perth & Kinross Climate Change Commission has been established to independently provide active leadership and support for cross-sector collaboration and action on climate change. Going forward, it will play a vital role in promoting a climate resilient future which is also fair and ensures that there is climate justice. It brings together people and organisations from the public, private and civic sectors to collaboratively drive, guide, support and monitor climate action across Perth and Kinross.