Nature Restoration Fund 2024 - 2025
Perth and Kinross Council · 21 August 2024
Back to Climate Change and Sustainability Committee — 21 August 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL Climate Change & Sustainability Commitee 21 August 2024 NATURE RESTORATION FUND 2024-2025 Report by Strategic Lead – Environment and Infrastructure (Report No. 24/216) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 This report provides an update on the allocation of the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) received by Perth and Kinross Council for 2023/24 and outlines the proposed approach for utilising the funds for 2024/25. It seeks approval for delegating authority to the Strategic Lead for Environment and Infrastructure to approve projects recommended by the NRF working group. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: note the NRF 2023-24 report approve the delegation of authority to the Strategic Lead for Environment and Infrastructure to approve projects recommended by the NRF working group based on set scoring criteria for best value nature restoration across Perth and Kinross. 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: Section 4: Background Section 5: Proposals Section 6: Conclusion Appendix 4. BACKGROUND – 2023/24 ALLOCATION 4.1 The Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is a 5-year initiative to support projects that restore nature and improve biodiversity. It includes capital grants for local authorities, known as the “Edinburgh Process” strand. Announced in the 2021/2022 Scottish Government budget, it initially provided £5 million to local authorities. In 2023-2024, the funding doubled to £10 million, with £5 million for biodiversity projects and £5 million specifically for creating Nature Networks. Perth & Kinross Council received £353,000 for 2023-2024, with at least half of this funding to be allocated to Nature Network projects.
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4.2 In 2023-2024, a total of twenty-three applications were received and evaluated by the NRF internal working group, with sixteen projects awarded funding. The funded projects involved investment in machinery, invasive species control, riparian habitat restoration, green corridor creation, wildflower meadow establishment, pond restoration and creation, and biodiversity enhancement in greenspaces. One project by Milnathort Primary School has been deferred to 2024-2025 (an amount of £12,500 included in “Community projects” below). The final budget allocation was: Council projects £181,000 Community projects £166,000 Underspend budget of £6,000 The 2023-2024 NRF detailed project report is attached as Appendix 1 and will be uploaded to the Council’s website. 4.3 The NRF is directly supporting the Council’s Corporate Plan priorities of tackling Climate Change and supporting sustainable places focusing on adaptation and addressing biodiversity emergency. 5. PROPOSALS 5.1 In mid July, Perth and Kinross Council received £175,000 of NRF funding for 2024/25. Criteria for projects follows previous funding rounds, with priority given to those addressing nature networks. The fund opened to applications on 19th July, and will close 18th August. 5.2 Due to the seasonal nature of many biodiversity projects, to avoid delays and maximise the ability to deliver, the Committee is asked to approve in retrospect the approach to fund allocation and delegate permission to the Strategic Lead for Environment and Infrastructure to finalise the methodology and award funding. 5.3 As with last year's process, all applications will be scored via a scoring matrix and evaluated by the NRF working group. The highest-scoring projects will be recommended for approval. Key points of the proposed process are: The NRF coordinator will assess all applications and provide comments for the working group. The working group will review all applications and recommend the highest-scoring projects for approval. Consideration of project types and geographic distribution will be ensured. Once recommendations have been approved by the Strategic Lead for Environment and Infrastructure, funding will be made available to successful applicants. 5.4 The process ensures that the projects that are best value for nature restoration will be taken forward. With the delivery of funding to Community
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Greenspace, other internal departments, community organisations, and local landowners, the NRF is helping to deliver on obligations in accordance with the Biodiversity Duty under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004; and empower communities to undertake projects that will make a significant difference in areas that are of value to them. Approval of applications under delegated authority will allow for timely allocation to projects to ensure work can progress without delay. 6. CONCLUSION 6.1 The successful delivery of the 2023-24 NRF has enhanced biodiversity and created nature networks across Perth and Kinross. With the short timescale between receiving confirmation of fund amount, launch and closure of the fund, the proposed methodology ensures timely and effective project implementation. Delegating authority to the Strategic Lead for Environment and Infrastructure will facilitate this process. Author Name Designation Contact Details Hannah Wilson Climate Change Land Restoration Officer (01738) 475000 ComCommitteeReports@pkc.gov.uk Approved Name Designation Date Fraser Crofts Strategic Lead - Environment and Infrastructure 12 August 2024 APPENDICES Appendix 1 – Nature Restoration Fund 2023-2024 Report
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ANNEX 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION Strategic & Resource Implications Yes / None Community Plan / Single Outcome Agreement Yes Corporate Plan Yes Financial Yes Workforce None Asset Management (land, property, IST) None Assessments Climate Change Assessment Yes Strategic Environmental Assessment None Sustainable Procurement & Supply Assessment Yes Equality & Fairness Assessment None Child Rights & Wellbeing Assessment Yes Consultation Internal Yes External None Communication Communications Plan Yes 1. Strategic Implications Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement 1.1 This report supports all of the priorities within the Community Plan 2022-27: (i) Mental and physical wellbeing (ii) Skills, learning and development (iii) Employability Corporate Plan 1.2 This report supports the objectives within the new Corporate Plan: - (i) Children and young people grow up safe, respected, well-educated and confident in their ability to realise their full potential (ii) People and businesses are increasingly able to prosper in a local economy which supports low carbon ambitions and offers opportunities for all (iii) People can achieve their best physical and mental health and have access to quality care and support when they need it (iv) Perth and Kinross is a safe and vibrant place, mitigating the impact of climate and environmental change for this and future generations
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2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 This proposal was considered to be financially beneficial as the Nature Restoration Fund grant will allow the Council and community groups to undertake transformational nature restoration projects, financed by NatureScot. £175k NRF grant funding has been received for financial year 2024/25. 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.
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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. 3.6 This proposal was considered under the Council’s Impact and Value Assessment. Impacts on sustainable procurement and supply were identified. Environmental projects will create employment opportunities in land management, benefiting local economies. The fund will prioritise the procurement of goods and materials from sustainable sources that do not harm vulnerable ecosystems. 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. Positive impacts on Child Rights and Wellbeing were identified. Projects involving schools in environmental education and hands-on learning experiences support children's educational achievements by integrating practical skills and knowledge about biodiversity and sustainability. Projects that involve children and young people in planning and decision-making processes ensure their voices are heard and respected, fostering a sense of inclusion and empowerment.
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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 Tayside Biodiversity Partnership to promote the success of the previous year’s fund. These channels will be used again 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.