Agenda Document Pack - Climate Change and Sustainability Committee - 23/08/2023
Perth and Kinross Council · 23 August 2023
Back to Climate Change and Sustainability Committee — 23 August 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Securing the future… • Improving services • Enhancing quality of life • Making the best use of public resources Council Building 2 High Street Perth PH1 5PH 16/08/2023 A hybrid meeting of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee will be held in the Council Chamber on Wednesday, 23 August 2023 at 09:30. 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 Angus Forbes Councillor David Illingworth Councillor Noah Khogali Councillor Grant Laing Councillor Tom McEwan Councillor Grant Stewart Councillor Jack Welch Page 1 of 40
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Climate Change and Sustainability Committee Wednesday, 23 August 2023 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 THE CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE OF 31 MAY 2023 FOR APPROVAL (copy herewith) 5 - 8 4 CARSIE GREEN, BLAIRGOWRIE REWILDING OBJECTION - PETITION In line with the PKC Petitions Procedure detailed at (Appendix 3 of the Standing Orders) a petition on the above had been submitted for consideration. A copy of the petition is attached below, along with an Officer's Briefing Note in response. 4(i) COPY OF THE PETITION (copy herewith 23/221) 9 - 18 4(ii) OFFICERS BRIEFING NOTE IN RESPONSE TO PETITION (copy herewith 23/222) 19 - 20 5 LOCAL HEAT & ENERGY EFFICIENCY STRATEGIES (LHEES) Presentation by Divindy Grant, Team Leader - Climate Change and Sustainable Development 6 SMART LOCAL ENERGY SYSTEMS Presentation by Graham Pinfield, Smart Perth & Kinross Project Co-ordinator 7 NATURE RESTORATION FUND 2023-2024 Report by Head of Planning and Development (copy herewith 23/220) 21 - 40 Page 3 of 40
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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 31 May 2023 at 2.00pm. Present: Councillors R Watters, L Barrett, H Anderson, D Cuthbert, A Forbes, D Illingworth, N Khogali, G Laing, T McEwan, G Stewart and J Welch; Mr J Ferguson, Miss E McGregor and Mr M Mathers. In Attendance: B Renton, Executive Director (Communities), M Butterworth, N Moran, M Lee, R Stewart, G Bissett, L Cassidy, D Grant, A Clegg, J Dick and S Merone (all Communities); A Taylor, A Brown and R Ramsay (all Corporate and Democratic Services). 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. MINUTE OF MEETING OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE OF 15 FEBRUARY 2023 The minute of meeting of Climate Change and Sustainability Committee of 15 February 2023 was submitted and approved as correct record subject to the following amendments being made: (i) Councillor Forbes be added to the list of those present. (ii) In Item 4 – where it references writing to MP’s, this be amended to say both local MPs and MSPs. 4. ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND – STRATEGY & EXPANSION PLAN There was submitted a report by the Head of Planning and Development (23/165) (1) noting the work undertaken as part of the Scottish Government’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (EVIF); (2) detailing the preferred future operational model and associated tariff that will allow for the current and planned Council infrastructure to be self-sufficient, operating on a more commercial basis; and (3) highlighting the key next steps including market engagement, procurement and continued working with partner authorities through the Regional EV Forum. Resolved: (i) It be agreed that officers should commence formal market engagement, and continue to engage with partner authorities, the Scottish Futures Trust and 3 Page 5 of 40
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Transport Scotland to secure funding to enable the delivery of the required infrastructure. (ii) The work undertaken on a needs-based assessment of future Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure, and the development of a strategy and expansion plan in accordance with the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (EVIF) requirements be noted. (iii) The option to move to a tariff plus approach be approved. (iv) A full report on the EVIF project be provided to a future meeting of the Climate Change & Sustainability Committee. 5. FLOOD STUDIES - DUNKELD & PERTH (FEUS ROAD & CAVENDISH AVENUE/GRAY STREET) There was submitted a report by the Head of Environmental and Consumer Services (23/166) setting out the outcome of the Council’s flood studies in two separate locations – Dunkeld and Perth (Feus Road and Cavendish Avenue/Gray Street). Resolved: (i) The completion of the Dunkeld Flood Study and the Perth Flood Study (for surface water flooding in the vicinity of Feus Road and Cavendish Avenue/Gray Street), as required by the Tay Flood Risk Management Plan and Local Flood Risk Management Plan, be noted. (ii) It be noted that separate public engagement events have been held to disseminate the findings of each flood study. (iii) The recommendations of each study, including: • the proposals for a flood protection scheme in Dunkeld; • to stop work on surface water flood schemes for Feus Road and Cavendish Avenue/Gray Street in Perth as they would provide limited protection and are not economically viable. be approved. (iv) It be noted that the Council will continue to manage flood risk in those areas of Perth by implementing the actions set out in the published Tay Flood Risk Management Plan and Local Flood Risk Management Plan. (v) It be noted that details of the recommended flood protection scheme for Dunkeld will be submitted to SEPA for national prioritisation and inclusion in the Cycle 3 (2027-2033) Tay Flood Risk Management Plan, to be published in December 2027, and Tay Local Flood Risk Management Plan, due for publication in 2028. 6. MANAGING GRASSED AREAS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY There was submitted a joint report by the Head of Environmental and Consumer Services and the Head of Planning and Development (23/167) outlining the results of grassland maintenance trials on 42 selected sites, across Perth and Kinross, which ran during 2021 and 2022. Page 6 of 40
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Resolved: (i) The creation of a long-term plan and commitment to grassland management, following the success of the trials in 2021/22 and 2022/23, which would involve a significant increase in the number of “No Mow” and “Cut and Lift” sites across Perth and Kinross, be approved. (ii) It be agreed that the proposed plan be developed in consultation with community groups and residents and be subject to approval by Committee at a future meeting. 7. COMMUNITIES SERVICE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT 2022/23 There was submitted a report by the Executive Director (Communities) (23/168) presenting the Service Annual Performance Report 2022/23 for Communities and detailing progress against targets and improvement actions over the last year against the 2022/23 Service Business Management Improvement Plan. Resolved: The Communities Service Annual Performance Report 2022/23, as detailed in Appendix 1 to Report 23/168, specifically the areas which fall within the remit of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee, be approved. Page 7 of 40
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1 PETITIONS FORM If you wish to submit a petition for consideration by Committee, please complete this template. Please refer to the Protocol on Petitions before completing the template. If you require any further information or advice, please contact the Democratic Services Manager whose details are provided at the end of this form. Details of Principal Petitioner Please enter the name of person and organisation (if applicable) raising the petition. Please include a contact address to which correspondence may be sent, a contact telephone number and e-mail address if available. Name: Paul Kenyon Address: Tel No: E mail: Title of Petition Carsie Green Re-Wilding Objection Petition Statement - Please state (in no more than 250 words) what action the Petitioner wishes the Council to take. As residents of Carsie, we strongly object to the 2nd year of ‘Re-wilding’ the Council is forcing upon us. This makes the area unsightly, dog owners leaving dog faeces on the long grass, also encourages ticks – which carry Lyme’s disease plus other and fly-tipping. It must be costing the council more time and money by cutting paths through parts of the grass. We are surrounded by woodland, farms, and golf courses – This ‘Re-wilding project’ seems a pointless object in the bigger scheme. We also understand that Rattray resident also strongly object to this being done on Rattray Common. We wish Carsie Green to be fully re-instated to its former glory, by regular grass cutting. If PKC can provide £280,000 for the UCI Gran Fondo – surely it can make the area look attractive? PKC have permitted the West Park development & the latest development of 100 house at Ardblair – further loss of fields/long term rewilding. 4(i) Page 9 of 40
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2 X Action Taken (if any) to Resolve Issues of Concern before Submitting the Petition Before a petition is submitted, petitioners are expected to have taken reasonable steps in attempting to resolve the issues. Please enter below details of any individuals or organisations approached. Copies of correspondence, including any responses, should be appended. This information will be made available to the Committee prior to its consideration of the Petition. I have written to the Chief Exec of PKC. A petition handed to Cllr Shiers & Cllr Brawn on Friday 7th July 2023 This has also been discussed at several BRCC meetings – Minutes are attached. Supported by Blairgowrie & Rattray Community Council. Appearance before Petitions Committee Petitioners may have the opportunity to appear before the Committee to speak in support of their petition. Petitioners should indicate whether they wish to make a brief statement to the Committee when it is considering the petition. Note – Proceedings of meetings of the Council, Committees or Sub-Committees held in the Council Chamber at 2 High Street, Perth, and which are open to the public (with the exception of the Licensing Committee) are broadcast live online and recorded / uploaded to the Council’s YouTube page. *I DO wish the opportunity to make a brief statement before the Committee *I DO NOT wish to make a brief statement before the Committee * tick as appropriate Signature of Principal Petitioner When satisfied that the petition meets all the criteria outlined in the Guidance on Petitions, the Principal Petitioner should sign and date the form in the box below. Any additional sheets of signatures should be appended to the form. Signature …… …………………………………………….. Date 14/07/2023 Name in block capitals …Paul Kenyon……………………………………… Page 10 of 40
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL BRIEFING NOTE To: The Convenor and Members of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee From: Mark Butterworth – Head of Environmental and Consumer Services Date of meeting: 23 August 2023 OFFICER RESPONSE TO THE PETITION FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF GRASS CUTTING AT CARSIE, BLAIRGOWRIE 1. Background 1.1 The Petition received from 76 residents of Carsie concerns an objection to the Council’s policy not to cut the grass on a regular basis and a request that regular grass cutting be reinstated as soon as possible. 1.2 Members of the Committee will recall that at its meeting on 31 May 2023 the following recommendations were agreed with regard to Managing Grassed Areas for Climate Change and Biodiversity (Report 23/167 refers). • approves the creation of a long-term plan and commitment to grassland management, following the success of the trials in 2021/22 and 2022/23, which would involve a significant increase in the number of “No Mow” and “Cut and Lift” sites across Perth and Kinross; and • agrees that the proposed plan, be developed in consultation with community groups and residents, and be subject to approval by Committee at a future meeting. 2. Officer Engagement with Petitioner 2.1 Council officers are aware of the concerns raised within the petition and officers from both the Council’s Community Greenspace and Grounds Maintenance Services have been engaging with local residents and ward members on this matter. This resulted in a site visit between Councillors Brawn and McEwan, Council officers and a local biodiversity volunteer on 10 August 2023. At that meeting, the following was agreed. 1. The grassland trial areas are to be retained generally but there may be some further minor modifications to the margins of the grassed areas. 2. Every effort would be made by the Council’s Grounds Maintenance service to address the maintenance backlog that currently exists in the area, which is contributing to the current poor appearance. (Report No. 23/222) 4(ii) Page 19 of 40
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3. Local biodiversity groups and residents need to be more involved and supported to develop the trial areas to enhance them with potentially different cutting regimes, bulbs, wildflowers, shrubs and tree planting. 4. There needs to be better interpretation of what’s there, linked to community “get involved” days, including schools on physical improvement and monitoring activities. 5. Volunteers need to be supported by Council staff to ensure things are done safely, people are trained and insured, appropriate equipment is lent out and returned, materials are provided, site issues are dealt with and there is good coordination of activities. 6. An outline action plan is being developed following the site meeting to cover the points above to ensure that it is properly managed, developed and coordinated subject to available resources. 3. Officer’s advice to Committee 3.1 It is the advice of officers that no changes to the current policy are made as a result of this Petition, rather that officers continue to engage with local stakeholders, including the local elected members to develop a sustainable way forward at Carsie, which would include progressing the agreed actions listed at 2.1 above. 3.2 This will help to develop a model going forward, which can be used to assist with the significant increase in the number of “no mow” areas in the majority of Council managed parks and open spaces. This is a new approach to open space maintenance and a continual learning process for officers and communities. Contact: Andy Clegg, Community Greenspace Manager Page 20 of 40
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL Climate Change & Sustainability Committee 23 August 2023 NATURE RESTORATION FUND 2023-2024 Report by Head of Planning & Development (Report No. 23/220) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 This report provides an update on the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) allocation received by Perth and Kinross Council for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial years. The report sets out a proposed revised process to use the funds in the current financial year. 2. RECOMMENDATION 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: • Approves the proposed revised process to allocate NRF funding and • Delegates the award of funding to the Executive Director (Communities) 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: • Section 4: Background • Section 5: Proposals • Section 6: Conclusion • Appendices 4. BACKGROUND – 2022/23 & 2023/2024 ALLOCATION 4.1 The Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is a 5-year commitment to fund projects aimed at “restoring nature and improving biodiversity on land and in the seas.” The fund includes capital grant funding for local authorities which is now known as the “Edinburgh Process” strand of the NRF. Originally announced in the Scottish Government budget 2021/2022, £5m was granted to local authorities. 4.2 As reported to this Committee on 24 August 2022 (Report 22/192), in 2022- 2023, Perth & Kinross Council received £176,000. Subsequently, through the Helping Nature funding stream, the Council applied directly to NatureScot and received an additional grant of £13,000 for Community Greenspace projects. The Council therefore received a total of £189,000 in 2022-2023. 4.3 The final spend allocation was in line with this Committee’s decision in August 2022 for a ratio of up to 60% to Community Greenspace projects and a 7 Page 21 of 40
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minimum of 40% to community led projects (Report 22/192 refers). This is as follows: • Community Greenspace £99.5k (53%) • Tayside Biodiversity Partnership community projects £22.6k (12%) • Other community projects £66.9k (35%) 4.4 The detail of the projects supported by the 2022-2023 allocation is contained in Appendix 2 which has been uploaded to the Council’s website. 4.5 In 2023-2024, £10 million was granted to local authorities, an increase of £5 million from the previous two years. This constitutes £5 million of capital funding to be spent in supporting new, or enhancing existing, approaches to restoring biodiversity, complemented this year by an additional £5 million with a specific focus on creating Nature Networks. 4.6 The fourth National Planning Framework set out the Scottish Government’s expectation that Nature Networks will be put in place in every local authority in order to enhance biodiversity and better connect areas for nature. 4.7 A Nature Network is a joined-up system of places important for wild plants and animals, on land and in water. It allows plants, animals, seeds, nutrients and water to move from place to place and enables the natural world to adapt to change, providing plants and animals with places to live, feed and breed. Effectively functioning nature networks will connect existing nature rich areas through habitat corridors, habitat ‘stepping stones’, or habitat restoration areas. Ecological connectivity is provided by wildlife sites, corridors and stepping stones, landscape features, watercourses, green and blue spaces that together form integrated nature networks. 4.8 In 2023-2024, Perth & Kinross Council received £353,000, at least half of which should be directed towards projects which contribute to a Nature Network. The allocation was notified in late June 2023, as set out in Appendix 1. 4.9 The priority themes remain similar to those expressed in the letter allocating funding for 2022/23. In addition, NatureScot are encouraging nature positive applications in urban areas. The ambition to encourage partnership projects that work at scale and facilitate nature networks to improve habitat connectivity has also increased. The themes of the 2023/24 fund are: • Habitat and species restoration: Management for enhancement and connectivity. • Freshwater restoration, including restoration of natural flows in rural catchments. • Coastal and marine initiatives which promote restoration, recovery, enhancement or resilience. • Control of invasive non-native species (INNS) impacting on nature. • Urban: Enhancing and connecting nature across, and between towns and cities. 4.10 The fund will seek to deliver these five strategic priorities through local delivery, in line with the principles of the Edinburgh Process declaration. This Page 22 of 40
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approach can deliver multiple benefits, supporting health and well-being, green jobs, air and water quality improvements in addition to supporting nature recovery. 5. PROPOSALS 5.1 As with previous years, the grant has been awarded as General Capital Grant, with which the Scottish Government has afforded discretion to Local Authorities to apply the grant within their own rules. 5.2 Committee agreed in August 2022 the process to allocate NRF funding including the ratio 60/40 for Greenspace projects and community led projects respectively (Report No. 22/192 refers). However, following Members’ feedback, it is proposed to select projects with maximum biodiversity impact for Perth and Kinross and remove the ratio. As such, there will be no proposed split between Community Greenspace and Community projects, as those that best support outcomes for nature, in line with our scoring criteria, will be recommended for approval. 5.3 The main points of the proposed process are: • Projects by Community Greenspace and other internal departments are to set out their individual projects with a description, outline of biodiversity benefits, any positive co-benefits, if/how they contribute to a nature network, cost, details of location, maintenance agreement, and community involvement in a spreadsheet. • Projects in the community must submit a detailed application form. • Project applications will be invited with a minimum value of £1,000. There will be no upper limit to promote accurately costed proposals. • At the end of the application deadline, the NRF co-ordinator will assess the projects against the project checklist and provide comments for the internal Council NRF working group. All applications will be assessed by the NRF working group against set scoring criteria. This criteria matrix is shown in Appendix 3. • The NRF working group will review all applications and recommend those that score the highest to the Executive Director (Communities). • The NRF working group will also take into consideration the geographic spread of projects and aim to encourage projects across Perth and Kinross. • Once recommendations have been approved by the Executive Director (Communities), funding will then made available to successful applicants. • The NRF working group will work with all applicants to ensure approved nature restoration projects are taken forward. Page 23 of 40
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5.4 Use of the Nature Restoration Fund to support community groups, Community Greenspace and other services, the Council is helping to deliver on its obligations in accordance with the Biodiversity Duty under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. It also empowers communities to undertake projects that will make a significant difference in areas that are of value to them, in line with the Perth and Kinross Offer. 5.5 Due to the seasonal nature of many biodiversity projects, to avoid delays and maximise the ability to deliver, particularly for community led projects, and in consultation with the Committee’s Convener, the NRF application process has already been opened with a deadline of 4 September 2023 (Nature Restoration Fund - Perth & Kinross Council (pkc.gov.uk). 5.6 It is recommended that the Committee approves the proposed revised process and notes that that award of funding be delegated to the Executive Director (Communities) in line with previous practice. 6. CONCLUSION 6.1 The Council and community partners successfully delivered on the 2022/23 Nature Restoration Fund grant award, delivering biodiversity enhancement across Perth and Kinross. In 2023/24, the Council has been allocated £353,000 to support nature restoration and the development of nature networks. A revised process including removing the ratio between Community Greenspace and community groups projects is proposed based on feedback from elected members last year. Authors Name Designation Contact Details Hannah Wilson Climate Change & Sustainable Development Graduate (01738) 475000 ComCommitteeReports@pkc.gov.uk Divindy Grant Climate Change & Sustainable Development Team Leader Approved Name Designation Date Barbara Renton Executive Director (Communities) 7 August 2023 APPENDICES • Appendix 1 – Letter from Scottish Government to Chief Executive Perth & Kinross Council 29 June 2023. • Appendix 2 – Nature Restoration Fund 2022-2023 Report • Appendix 3 – Criteria Scoring Matrix Page 24 of 40
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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 Climate Change Assessment Yes Strategic Environmental Assessment None Sustainable Procurement & Supply Assessment None Equality & Fairness Assessment None Child Rights & Wellbeing Assessment None Consultation Internal Yes External None Communication Communications Plan Yes 1. Strategic Implications Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement 1.1 The outcomes of the proposal whether led by Community Greenspace or organisations in the Community will help create a safe and sustainable place for future generations by enhancing areas of nature so that people can enjoy these into the future. Habitat restoration accompanied by additional planting also provides climate change mitigation; and by restoring native habitats wildlife and plant life is provided resilience in the face of a changing climate supporting their ability to in turn sustain their ecosystems and the services they provide. The proposal to support communities in delivering nature restoration projects of importance to them, helps develop educated and informed citizens, and supports people to lead independent healthy and active lives by increasing awareness of and engagement with nature, and promoting ownership and a sense of inclusion and ownership of projects they and their communities are involved in. Corporate Plan 1.2 See above. 2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 In 2023-2024, Perth & Kinross Council received £353,000. The allocation was notified in late June 2023, as set out in Appendix 1. Page 25 of 40
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Workforce 2.2 None. Asset Management (land, property, IT) 2.3 None. 3. Assessments Climate Change Assessment 3.1 Under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019, the Council has a duty to contribute to reducing Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions in line with national targets, help deliver Scotland's climate change adaptation programme and act to promote sustainable development. To comply with this duty, it is essential that climate change be considered at the heart of all Council processes and decisions using climate change impact screening. 3.2 This proposal was considered to have a positive impact on how Land Use and Land Use Change processes respond to climate change. For example, promoting more sustainable management and maintenance regimes for greenspace (reduced herbicide use, increased grassland, reduced cutting). The proposal was also considered to have a positive impact on reducing emissions through carbon capture. The proposal also considered a positive Climate Resilience & Engagement Impact in ensuring biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes are protected from and adaptable to the changing climate. Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.3 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to identify and assess the environmental consequences of its proposals. 3.4 The proposals have been considered under the Act and no further action is required as it does not qualify as a PPS as defined by the Act and is therefore exempt. Sustainable Procurement & Supply Assessment 3.5 Under the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, the Council has a duty to consider sustainable procurement as part of it's procurement process. The Council is required to consider how in conducting the procurement process it can - (i) improve the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of the authority's area, (ii) facilitate the involvement of small and medium enterprises, third sector bodies and supported businesses in the process, and (iii) promote innovation. Page 26 of 40
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3.6 This proposal was considered under the Council’s Impact and Value Assessment. No impacts on sustainable procurement and supply were identified. Equality & Fairness Assessment 3.7 Under the Equality Act 2010, the Council is required to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between equality groups. Under Part 1 of the Act ‘The Fairer Scotland Duty’, the Council is required to actively consider how it can reduce inequalities of outcome caused by socioeconomic disadvantage, when making strategic decisions. 3.8 This proposal was considered under the Council’s Impact and Value Assessment. No impacts on equality were identified and the document was assessed as not relevant for the purposes of EFIA. Child Rights & Wellbeing Assessment 3.9 The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was ratified by the UK Government in 1991. It sets out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights that all children, everywhere, are entitled to and is regarded as the global “gold standard” for children’s rights. Screening for Child Rights and Wellbeing Impacts, alongside the Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) wellbeing indicators ensures that Council policies protect and promote the rights and wellbeing of children and young people. 3.10 This proposal was considered under the Council’s Impact and Value Assessment. No impacts on Child Rights and Wellbeing were identified. 4. Consultation Internal 4.1 This report has been informed by discussions with members of Planning & Housing Strategy, Climate Change & Sustainable Development, Community Greenspace, and Tayside Biodiversity Partnership. External 4.2 N/A. 5. Communication 5.1 A webpage has been set up on the Council website at www.pkc.gov.uk/naturefund. Social media has been used by the Council and TBP to promote the success of the previous year’s fund. These channels will be used once receipt of funding from NatureScot has been received to invite applications for the current year. Further ongoing communications will inform the public of key stages of the fund as well as progress of projects. Page 27 of 40
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Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ www.gov.scot Environment and Forestry Directorate Deputy Director Nature Division E: DDND@gov.scot Mr Thomas Glen Chief Executive Perth and Kinross Council By e-mail only ___ 29 June 2023 Dear Mr Glen, ALLOCATION OF THE ‘EDINBURGH PROCESS’ STRAND OF THE NATURE RESTORATION FUND AND SEED FUNDING FOR NATURE NETWORKS I am writing to inform you that the Scottish Government and Local Authority Leaders have reached an agreement on the proportion of this year’s allocation of the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) to Scottish Local Authorities, known as the Edinburgh Process strand of the NRF. This constitutes £5 million of capital funding to be spent in 2023-24 to support new, or to enhance existing, approaches to restoring biodiversity, complemented this year by an additional £5 million with a specific focus on creating Nature Networks. Purpose of funding The draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy defines the Outcomes we need to see in order to achieve our high-level goals of being nature positive – halting biodiversity loss – by 2030, and substantially restoring it by 2045. The Strategy also sets out the need for a whole-of- society approach to achieving these goals, in line with the Edinburgh Process. NRF-funded projects are a key delivery mechanism for the Strategy. The strategic goal of the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is to catalyse action at scale to protect and restore Scotland’s biodiversity on land and sea, with a focus on outcomes which address the main drivers of the decline in biodiversity: over-exploitation of the natural environment and addressing its consequences; habitat loss and fragmentation; and invasive non-native species. The Fund has five strategic themes that will be delivered across all the funding streams: ▪ Habitat and species restoration: Management for enhancement and connectivity. ▪ Freshwater restoration, including restoration of natural flows in rural catchments ▪ Coastal and marine initiatives which promote restoration, recovery, enhancement or resilience ▪ Control of invasive non-native species (INNS) impacting on nature ▪ Urban: Enhancing and connecting nature across, and between, towns and cities. The fund will seek to deliver the five strategic priorities through sub-national delivery, in line with the principles of the Edinburgh Process declaration. This approach can deliver multiple APPENDIX 1 7 Page 29 of 40
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Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ www.gov.scot benefits, supporting health and well-being, green jobs, air and water quality improvements in addition to supporting nature recovery. Nature Networks The high level expectation for projects being delivered through the Edinburgh Process strand remains the same. However, this year, we are also providing an additional £5 million capital funding with a view to Local Authorities beginning to develop projects which will contribute to establishing Nature Networks in their area. The fourth National Planning Framework set out the Scottish Government’s expectation that Nature Networks will be put in place in every local authority in order to enhance biodiversity and better connect areas for nature. Ecological connectivity is provided by wildlife sites, corridors and stepping stones, landscape features, watercourses, green and blue spaces that together form integrated nature networks. More information on nature networks can be found at Annex B. Funding Mechanism All Local Authorities, plus the National Parks, will receive a capital allocation directly from the Scottish Government. The total value of the allocation to Local Authorities is £10 million in 2023-2024, an increase of £5 million from the previous two years. Given the strategic themes and the priority of ecological connectivity, the distribution methodology this year is once again based on: • 50% on ‘area of natural greenspace’ and 50% on NatureScot composite indicator. The allocation of funds for Perth and Kinross Council in 2023-24, which will be paid as General Capital Grant on 15 July, is £0.353 million rounded, at least half of which should be directed towards projects which contribute to a Nature Network. In addition to this direct allocation through the Edinburgh Process strand, the NRF includes a competitive grants scheme run by NatureScot. Partnerships which include local authorities will also be eligible to apply to the competitive schemes but local authorities and other public bodies will not be eligible as sole applicants. As in previous years, Local Authorities will be required to complete and return a short form to the Biodiversity Unit at the Scottish Government within a year of the allocation of funding. I would like to thank you all for your collaboration in delivering these key outcomes for our Biodiversity Strategy and would be most grateful if you could pass a copy of this letter onto any persons that would be responsible for administering the NRF in your local authority. Yours sincerely, Cate Turton Deputy Director, Nature Division Page 30 of 40
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Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ www.gov.scot Annex A NATURE RESTORATION FUND – EDINBURGH PROCESS STRAND – 2023-24 LOCAL AUTHORITY ALLOCATION (£m) Aberdeen City 0.270 Aberdeenshire 0.445 Angus 0.306 Argyll & Bute 0.489 Clackmannanshire 0.195 Dumfries & Galloway 0.490 Dundee City 0.171 East Ayrshire 0.206 East Dunbartonshire 0.266 East Lothian 0.223 East Renfrewshire 0.121 Edinburgh, City of 0.272 Eilean Siar 0.255 Falkirk 0.348 Fife 0.612 Glasgow City 0.247 Highland 0.676 Inverclyde 0.306 Midlothian 0.211 Moray 0.246 North Ayrshire 0.355 North Lanarkshire 0.556 Orkney 0.106 Perth & Kinross 0.353 Renfrewshire 0.199 Scottish Borders 0.328 Shetland 0.161 South Ayrshire 0.189 South Lanarkshire 0.545 Stirling 0.228 West Dunbartonshire 0.257 West Lothian 0.368 10.000 Page 31 of 40
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Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ www.gov.scot Annex B NATURE NETWORKS FOR SCOTLAND We are facing both a climate and nature crisis. The biodiversity crisis is of urgent concern within Scotland where 49% of species are in decline. Climate change and nature are inextricably linked, and we cannot address one without the other. In order to create a nature- rich, climate resilient, net zero Scotland we must restore and connect our valuable habitats and appropriately value the ecosystem services that nature provides. The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 (SBS) sets out actions needed to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and to restore and regenerate biodiversity by 2045. Nature Networks across our landscapes will underpin the resilience and health of our habitats and species. A priority action within the SBS is to ensure that every local authority area has a nature network to improve ecological connectivity across Scotland. We aim to develop an evolving, flexible nature network for Scotland, connecting nature-rich areas to allow wildlife and natural process to adapt to land use and climate change pressures. A wide range of exemplars already exist and the fourth National Planning Framework states that nature networks will help build people’s connection to nature, providing biodiversity-rich spaces that deliver local benefits, and meet the priorities of local communities for nature and climate change. Nature Networks will allow Local Authorities to; • Deliver the commitments of the Edinburgh Declaration; • Contribute towards global and national biodiversity and climate targets; • Meet Biodiversity and Climate Duty obligations; • Deliver positive effects for biodiversity through NPF4 policies; • Potentially achieve multiple co-benefits for local communities, including provision of high quality green and blue spaces including active travel networks, flood risk mitigation, cleaner waterways, cleaner air, increased biodiversity, sustainable local food production. Local partnerships are needed to drive forward nature network development and Local Authorities can play a key role, facilitating partnership working and involving communities in identifying local priorities for nature, ensuring that local knowledge informs those priority areas. Whilst delivery of Nature Networks is not the sole responsibility of Local Authorities, many of the levers to inform and enable the spatial identification of areas that provide opportunity for addressing biodiversity loss already exist, e.g. Local Development Planning, Local Biodiversity Action Plans and Partnerships, Climate Adaptation Networks. Where nature restoration priorities align with local priorities, e.g. Climate Adaptation, Transport, Active Travel, Public Health, etc., there may be opportunity to develop new, or better integrated delivery partnerships. We recognise there are challenges which Local Authorities will need to overcome to develop their Nature Network and we are committed to help address those where possible. The Scottish Government is exploring options to provide a central advice/ expertise hub which partnerships can draw upon as needed, and we are allocating capital funding through the NRF in 2023-24 for local nature restoration projects that contribute to nature networks. Page 32 of 40
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PKC Nature Restoration Fund 2022-23 Report. May 2023. NatureFund@pkc.gov.uk 1 Perth & Kinross Nature Restoration Fund 2022-23 Report In May 2022, the council received £176,000 from the Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund (NRF). The purpose of the fund is to address the biodiversity crisis and its causes - habitat loss and fragmentation, and invasive species - while recognising the need to address both climate change and biodiversity crises at the same time. Perth and Kinross Council also applied to the Helping Nature funding stream to receive an additional grant of £13,000 for Community Greenspace projects. The total NRF grant received by the Council in 2022-2023 was £189,000. Application of the fund demonstrates the Council’s commitment shown in declaring a climate emergency and the signing of the Edinburgh Declaration and provided an opportunity to deliver on the PK Offer both through community involvement and in making Perth and Kinross a better, greener place. Community Greenspace had several projects ready to implement including forest plan works, investment in equipment for maintaining wildflower areas, clearance of scrub at grassland and heathland sites, removal of invasive non-native species, tree planting, and pollinator friendly planting at closed cemeteries. The additional grant through the Helping Nature funding stream funded invasive non-native species removal at the Tay & Craigie Burn and forest plan works at Alyth Den. Funding was then open for community partners and other internal partners to apply to. Great work was carried out by the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership, Rewilding Denmarkfield, Beautiful Perth, Crook and Drum Growing Together, Glassie Bike Park, Kinross-shire Civic Trust, Comrie Primary School and Parent and Friends Association, Highland Perthshire Communities Land Trust, Loch Rannoch Conservation Association, and Luncarty Primary School. Their hard work included introducing native trees and hedgerows, wildlife ponds and scrapes, beebanks, and pollinator friendly plants in schools, creating and enhancing SuDS ponds and wetlands for amphibians and dragonflies, restoring riparian habitat through landscape-scale invasive non-native species control work, creating a species rich grassland corridor, extending a community orchard, lots of pollinator friendly planting and native tree planting across greenspaces. A special note should be made of: • the involvement of Rewilding Denmarkfield, Royal Highland Education Trust, teachers, pupils, and local community members in the delivery of Comrie Primary Schools “Rewilding Comrie” project and Luncarty Primary Schools “Rewild my school” project. • the wetland restoration works of the Kinross Raingardens trail. Beautiful Perth volunteers restoring riparian habitat Tree planting at Jeanfield “Thanks to the NRF, we have restored a 3.15ha Species Rich Grassland (SRG) corridor, connecting our pollinator-friendly community orchard to the semi- ancient oak woodland. We look forward to using the SRG area to engage and educate people with the enhanced habitat and increased diversity of pollinators and plants through our Friends of Denmarkfield community group and our education sessions for local primary school children.” Ellie Corsie, Rewilding Denmarkfield. Appendix 2 7 Page 33 of 40
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PKC Nature Restoration Fund 2022-23 Report. May 2023. NatureFund@pkc.gov.uk 2 • the partnership project between Tayside Biodiversity, Scottish Invasive Species Initiative, and Perth and Kinross Council that recruited 35 volunteers to undertake catchment wide giant hogweed control at the river Almond. • the wide involvement of volunteers who helped deliver many of the projects. Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) 2023/2024 In late June 2023, Perth and Kinross Council received our NRF allocation of £353,000. This year the theme of the fund remains the same - catalysing action at scale to protect and restore Scotland’s biodiversity on land and sea, with a focus on outcomes which address the main drivers of the decline in biodiversity. However, at least half of this funding is to be spend on developing nature networks. Effectively functioning nature networks will connect existing nature rich areas through habitat corridors, habitat ‘stepping stones’, or habitat restoration. On receipt of 2023/2024 funding, the NRF application process will reopen early July with applications invited across the Council area for capital funding for projects. The application process will close on Sunday 20th August. For further information please go to www.pkc.gov.uk/naturefund. This year, all applications are to be reviewed against set scoring criteria. Once the application deadline has passed, the highest scoring applications will be recommended for approval to the Executive Director of Communities. This year there will be no proposed split between Community Greenspace and Community projects, as those that best support outcomes for nature, in line with scoring criteria, will be recommended for approval. Once recommendations have been approved by the Executive Director of Communities, successful applicants will be notified of their grant funding award. 2022-2023 Nature Restoration Projects List Community Greenspace Forest Plan Works at Aberfeldy, The Knock, Alyth Den, Blackspout Woods, and St Magdalenes Hill, Lady Mary’s Walk Enhancing six sites across Perth and Kinross by removing non-native and invasive species, enhancing the natural ecosystem. Works to restore our natural forest habitat included the removal of beech and sycamore saplings, removing broom to re-establish heathland habitat, coppicing trees, and ring-barking trees to create standing deadwood, a rare and important habitat for biodiversity. Removal of Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed from the Craigie Burn and Tay Invasive non-native plants out-compete native species and cause stream bank erosion in riparian areas when the large shading plant dies back late in the year leaving riverbanks exposed to the elements. By bringing these plants under control we reduce negative environmental and human health impacts, increase our native floral biodiversity, and restore our riparian habitats. Page 34 of 40
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PKC Nature Restoration Fund 2022-23 Report. May 2023. NatureFund@pkc.gov.uk 3 Investment in Machinery Purchase of pedestrian machinery with interchangeable flail head & scythe attachment. This will be made available to path groups for maintaining the core path network with the flail head and the scythe attachment for emerging meadow management groups. Kinnoull Hill SSSI Scrub and trees were removed from heathland areas to improve the habitat. Scrub and trees were also removed from meadow areas at Barnhill & Rosehill to keep previously cultivated areas from succession. This involved scraping back of Blaeberry, broom and gorse. Meadows and Grassland – St Magdalenes Hill Scrub was removed from meadows and other grassland areas. Removing scrub protects the meadow and grassland areas from progressing into a woodland. These areas are hugely important for biodiversity, supporting a diverse range of plant and animal species. Jeanfield Flood Prevention Tree planting to help with flood prevention, using nature-based solutions to mitigate the ever- increasing flooding issues at this location. These trees will help to increase water absorption, catch rainfall and slow down surface water run-off. Closed Cemeteries Management Works undertaken at 4 closed cemeteries and 1 new extension cemetery (Kinross North Cemetery). This involved the selective removal of invasive species and the creation of new areas for pollinators. Page 35 of 40
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PKC Nature Restoration Fund 2022-23 Report. May 2023. NatureFund@pkc.gov.uk 4 Education Services Rewilding Comrie, Comrie Primary School and Parent and Friends Association Planting of a variety of plants and seeds to support biodiversity. With wild grass/flowers seeds spread, the area has been rejuvenated. The scrape built into the centre will also collect water naturally to help further support the plants and animals around. Two volunteers from RHET came along on the planting day for children and members of the community to learn about soil and planting, helping to put knowledge into practice with creating the rewilding area. Rewild Our School, Luncarty Primary School In conjunction with Rewilding Denmarkfield, Luncarty Primary developed an outdoor space to create opportunities for wildlife and to encourage biodiversity. They created a pond with aquatic planting, planted two vast wildflower beds, created a willow tunnel for exploration, a bee bank and planted a hedgerow around the perimeter of the playground area. Bringing nature and wildlife into the school grounds has provided nature connection opportunities through unstructured, creative play and curriculum-based environmental education sessions. Community Organisations River Almond Giant Hogweed Project, Tayside Biodiversity Partnership This partnership project brought together Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI), the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership and Perth & Kinross Council to put a programme of control in place to remove invasive species from the Almond. This conservation work is restoring the riparian habitat and increasing biodiversity. Time and support were invested into building a network of enthusiastic local volunteers, providing them with skills, training and qualifications to help undertake control work. Control work started from the source in Buchanty, and continued all the way down the river to where the Almond meets the Tay. Page 36 of 40
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PKC Nature Restoration Fund 2022-23 Report. May 2023. NatureFund@pkc.gov.uk 5 SuDS Pond Enhancement, Tayside Biodiversity Partnership Five Ponds were cleared of non-native or invasive vegetation to create areas of open water and improve conditions for toads, frogs and newts, dragonflies, and pollinators; native wildflowers were planted as food for pollinators. Help was provided from many local volunteers, the PKC Biodiversity Ambassadors, community groups, developers and schools. Wildflower Meadow Creation, Rewilding Denmarkfield Restoring a 3.15ha Species Rich Grassland corridor along the northern boundary of Rewilding Denmarkfield, connecting their pollinator-friendly community orchard to the semi-ancient oak woodland. This 3.15ha of SRG will act as a “seed island” in that it will facilitate other areas of the site to be colonised by native flowering plants in the future. Rewilding Denmarkfield will also continue to conduct weekly butterfly, bee and amphibian transect surveys to determine the positive impact on pollinators and amphibians. Riverside Heather Garden Riparian Restoration, Beautiful Perth The stream in Riverside Heather Garden was devoid of marginal planting for a strip of approximately 1.5m width. This project restored planting in this area to create a more diverse riparian habitat. Native species that are good for pollinators were planted by Beautiful Perth volunteers to enhance the biodiversity of the area. Crook of Devon Community Orchard and Pollinator Project, Crook and Drum Growing Together Expanding a community orchard with mixed fruit trees and underplanting with wildflowers and bulbs with the aim of creating a pollinator corridor. All the planting and associated works were carried out by volunteers of Crook and Drum Growing Together. Page 37 of 40
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PKC Nature Restoration Fund 2022-23 Report. May 2023. NatureFund@pkc.gov.uk 6 Kinross Rain Gardens Trail, Kinross-shire Civic Trust Wetland restoration was conducted in three areas to continue the Kinross Raingardens Trail, which will ultimately stretch all the way to Loch Leven. The creation of new pools creates habitat for amphibians as well as carbon sinks and increases water storage capacity in flood events. Volunteers from the Kinross-shire Civic Trust and Kinross in Bloom helped to plant native aquatic plants and a wildflower meadow for pollinators. Glassie Bike Park Rewilding, Glassie Bike Park With the woodland previously devastated from storm Arwen, this area was planted up with native tree species to help restore the habitat and enhance biodiversity. The new woodland area will also make a good wind break and sheltered areas for walkers and bikers on the new paths created. Some standing dead trees were left to let more light into the woodland floor to assist its natural regeneration. Dun Coillich Wetlands, Highland Perthshire Communities Land Trust An ecological report was conducted advising on the best ways to improve wetland habitats at Dun Coillich. It contained recommendations to increase water levels through the construction of a series of hand-built dams and extend the existing wildlife ponds/scrapes. The existing scrapes were enhanced by volunteers clearing encroaching vegetation and raising water levels by blocking channels draining the scrapes. This work means that this wetland habitat, which is important for dragonflies and amphibians, will be maintained for years to come. Rannoch and Tummel Firepit and Scorch Mark Restoration, Loch Rannoch Conservation Association Planting native trees to replace those cut down by visitors to burn on fires, restoring the native loch shore woodland. Ash contaminated soil was removed from the scorch marks and replaced with sterile soil and native grass seeds and wildflowers were sown to restore the woodland undergrowth. Small areas were temporarily fenced off, preventing footfall and further damage. Page 38 of 40
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Assessment Criteria Super (4) High (3) Medium (2) Low (1) None (0) Project Score Possible Score Weighting Weighting applied Essential (must score at least 1 for each category) Biodiversity (4)* - Extent to which the project delivers at least one of the funds five strategic themes. Will consider the overall biodiversity value of the project. *As the main essential criteria, this will carry a higher weighting. Delivers at least one of the five strategic themes. A transformational project that delivers significant benefit for biodiversity. Delivers at least one of the five strategic themes. The overall approach and strategy shows significant benefit for biodiversity. Delivers at least one of the five strategic themes. The overall approach and strategy shows clear additional benefit for biodiversity. Delivers at least one of the five strategic themes. The overall approach and strategy shows a direct benefit for biodiversity. Does not deliver one of the five strategic themes. No biodiversity benefit. 4 1.5 0 Return on Investment (2) - Extent to which the project is good value for money. The funding used will aim to maximise the biodiversity value of the project. Good value for money Value for money proportionate to funding sought Poor value for money 2 1 0 Maintenance (2) - Extent to which the project will deliver impact/benefit beyond the funding period through long term maintenance. No maintenance required or maintenance solution in place for at least 10 years Maintenance is required and agreed in principle or short term. No maintenance agreed 2 1 0 Non-essential Nature Networks (2) - Extent to which the project helps to deliver nature networks. Project will significantly deliver high- quality and well-connected nature- rich areas. Project will have a moderate impact in delivering high-quality and well-connected nature-rich areas Does not specifically contribute towards the delivery of nature networks. 2 1 0 Legacy (2) - Extent to which the project will deliver positive co-benefits e.g. supporting community well-being and access to nature, green jobs, air and water quality improvements. Multiple long term co-benefits will be delivered Few co-benefits will be delivered or only short term No co-benefits will be delivered 2 1 0 Supports Tayside LBAP (2) Directly contributes towards Tayside LBAP action(s). Positive contributions towards aims in the Tayside LBAP. Does not support a Tayside LBAP Action 2 1 0 Engagement and Support (2) - Extent to which the project has community support and participation. Project is community led or the community is participating in the project Community supports project but is not involved No evidence for community support or involvement 2 1 0 Climate change mitigation and adaptation (1) Significantly contributes towards climate change mitigation and/or adaptation Does not specifically contribute towards climate change mitigation and/or adaptation 1 1 0 Multi-year project (1) Multi-year project One year project 1 1 0 Maximum points after weighting 20 Project Score 0 APPENDIX 3 7 Page 39 of 40
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