Community Climate Fund Update 14 June 2022
Renfrewshire Council · 14 June 2022
Back to Planning and Climate Change Policy Board — 14 June 2022 and its agenda
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Planning and Climate Change Policy Board On: 14 June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Head of Policy and Commissioning ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Community Climate Fund – Progress Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 On 17th November 2021, the Climate Change Sub-Committee recommended for approval the progression of a pilot Community Climate Fund, and the allocation of £50,000 from the Climate Change Action Fund for this purpose. 1.2 The purpose of the Community Climate Fund is to provide awards of up to £3K to community organisations to develop localised, green community projects and initiatives which are tailored to the needs of individual communities. The aim of this funding is to encourage participation and raise awareness of the climate emergency within our communities, with initiatives being designed and delivered by local residents but supported by the Council. 1.3 Following approval of the guidance at Leadership Board on 1st December 2021, the application process was launched with applications accepted between 31st January and 14th March 2022. In total 26 organisations applied to the Community Climate Fund, totalling £71,332.42 from projects across all Local Partnership Areas. 1.4 A formal evaluation was undertaken by Council Officers and an external Officer from Engage Renfrewshire, scoring each application using a matrix against key outcomes in order to rank projects to allocate the funding to those that best met the intended outcomes. 1.5 This evaluation identified 18 eligible projects, across all Local Partnership Areas and climate themes, with a total combined funding ask of £49,132.42.
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Further information on these projects is attached as Appendix 1 to this report. Applicants who didn’t receive an award or who were not eligible for inclusion for this funding route, will be supported to access other sources of funding, through liaison with other council officers and Engage Renfrewshire. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that members of the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board: • Approve the allocation of £49,132.42 from the Community Climate Fund to support the initiatives detailed in Appendix 1 of this report. 3. Background 3.1 Following the Council’s declaration of the climate emergency in 2019, officers have been working very closely with partners to develop a programme of work which will drive the collective response to climate change in Renfrewshire. The core focus of the local programme of work has been to develop a plan which sets out how the Council will work with partners, communities and stakeholders to achieve the net zero carbon emissions target by 2030, which was set by Renfrewshire Council. 3.2 A key element of a just transition to net zero will be community engagement and collaborative working to build resilient communities and ensure no one is left behind. There is a significant amount of learning and engagement that needs to take place to support our local communities to make the changes that will be required to achieve the net zero emissions target by 2030. 3.3 On 17th November 2021, the Climate Change Sub-Committee recommended for approval the progression of a pilot Community Climate Fund, and the allocation of £50,000 from the Climate Change Action Fund for this purpose. 3.4 The purpose of the Community Climate Fund is to provide one-off grant funding of up to £3K to community organisations to develop localised, green community projects and initiatives which are tailored to the needs of individual communities. The aim of this funding is to encourage participation and raise awareness of the climate emergency within our communities, with initiatives being designed and delivered by local residents but supported by the Council. 3.5 Successful applications had to demonstrate: • their understanding of local need and how their project or initiative would meet this need
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• how their project or initiative aligns with community resilience, adaptation or mitigation in response to the climate emergency and local climate change impacts • inclusivity, ensuring that services would be easily accessible, particularly targeting those most in need • partnership working to signpost people to additional support. 4. Community Climate Fund Update 4.1 Following approval to progress the Community Climate Fund at Leadership Board on 1st December 2021, the application process was launched with applications accepted between 31st January and 14th March 2022. In total 26 organisations applied to the Community Climate Fund across all Local Partnership Areas – with applications totalling £71,332.42. 4.2 A formal evaluation process was undertaken, with Council Officers and an external Officer from Engage Renfrewshire scoring each application using a scoring matrix with weightings against key outcomes, including carbon reduction; promotion of clean energy, sustainable transport and active travel, circular economy, local food growing, and/or helping nature locally; sustainable skills supported and developed; positive impacts on children and young people and/or vulnerable groups; and assisting loneliness/isolation and social outcomes. 4.3 This evaluation identified 18 eligible projects to be recommended for award of funding, with a total combined funding requirement of £49,132.42. These projects are broadly located across all 7 Local Partnership Areas and cover key climate themes, including energy, sustainable transport, circular economy, local food growing and nature-based projects. Details on the 18 recommended projects can be found in Appendix 1. 4.4 This funding will support community organisations to develop local projects and initiatives which align with the drive to net zero and help build resilience within communities from the impacts of climate change. There are also opportunities for these exemplar projects to be replicated across other areas within Renfrewshire and for learning to be shared among our communities. 4.5 Opportunities for collaborative working have also been identified through the application process, for example, there were a number of growing projects which require similar equipment so there is potential to help them access refurbished tools and encourage tool sharing via a tool library rather than purchasing, which also supports circular economy aims. 4.6 In addition, Council officers, in partnership with Engage Renfrewshire, will work with applicants who were ineligible or who didn’t receive an award in
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order to signpost to alternative sources of funding. Projects who were ineligible or who are not recommended for an award are set out in Appendix 2. 4.7 Members of the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board are asked to approve the award recommendations as set out in Appendix 1. 4.8 Progress on all projects funded through the Community Climate Fund will be monitored and reported back to the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board. 4.9 This funding programme underlines the wide range of significant progress which continues, at pace, to ensure the Council is a climate-responsible organisation, recognising our impact on our environment, our opportunities to do things differently and our ability to work with others to influence meaningful and long-lasting change, while making our communities safer, fairer and healthier places to live, work and spend time in. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – the paper includes a recommendation in relation to the Climate Change Action Fund in section 4 2. HR & Organisational Development – none 3. Community/Council Planning – this report includes updates and further proposals to support engagement and collaboration with local businesses, partners and communities on the climate emergency agenda. 4. Legal - none 5. Property/Assets - none 6. Information Technology - none 7. Equality and Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health and Safety - none 9. Procurement – none 10. Risk – none 11. Privacy Impact – none
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12. COSLA Policy Position – none 13. Climate Risk – this report outlines work being undertaken by the Council to respond to the climate emergency. List of Background Papers: Climate Emergency Work Programme: Progress Update, 17 November 2021 Climate Change Sub- Committee Author: Roz Smith, Climate Emergency Lead Officer Chief Executive’s Service
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Appendix 1 – Applications recommended for Community Climate Fund support approval Applications recommended for Community Climate Fund support approval ORGANISATION FUNDING REQUESTED LOCAL PARTNERSHIP AREA NAME & PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT Tannahill Centre £2,953.00 Paisley North, West and Central Climate Cooking Challenge: to support the local community to reduce their carbon footprint and become more resilient to the impacts of climate change whilst also helping to address issues relating to food and energy poverty by supporting local families: o reduce food waste by sharing techniques and skills in relation to making the most of raw food products, leftovers and surplus food that can be accessed via the Community Market o reduce energy consumption through more efficient preparation of food (e.g. through batch cooking) o produce non-electric slow cookers using recycled household materials Lochwinnoch Sustainable Community Garden £1,000.00 The Villages Rewilding Lochwinnoch: to improve biodiversity in the local area while creating an opportunity for community participation and outdoor education. Wildflower seeds and sowing kits will be distributed directly to community members and also through partnerships with other organisations. This will improve biodiversity and create natural habitat for bees and other pollinators and help to rewild our roadsides and pathways as well as people's own gardens. This will be an interactive project, accessible for all, and will be an activity that will contribute to community wellbeing at a time when many are struggling with isolation. 24th Paisley Boys Brigade £3,000.00 Paisley North, West and Central 24th Paisley BB Climate Challenge 2022: to reduce carbon footprint by reducing energy consumption through improved energy efficiency measures; learning to grow food for people and wildlife through turning over church lawns to wildflower meadow and edible garden to benefit nature, biodiversity and teach about local food growing. Kirklandneuk Primary School Parent Council £3,000.00 Renfrew 'Mon the Weans, 'Mon the Bees, 'Mon the Community!: to provide an outdoor space that allows pupils to express their feelings, learn, role play and channel their creative skills and provide the school and local community the opportunity to be involved in food growing and preparation (including food hygiene training) and opportunities to learn about creating a biodiversity area within the school grounds. Own Yer Bike £3,000.00 Paisley North, West and Central Own Yer Bike - Volunteer Training/Parts for Repairs: to train 5 x volunteers to silver level velotech cycle mechanics course, leading to more qualified mechanics to teach local young people how to maintain and fix their bikes. This gives volunteers a recognised qualification, enabling them to go on and become cycle mechanics which will also improve their own chances of employment. The funding will also enable cycle parts for repairs to be purchased.
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ORGANISATION FUNDING REQUESTED LOCAL PARTNERSHIP AREA NAME & PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT Friends of Howwood Park £2,840.60 The Villages Howwood Park Pavilion Renovation - Insulation and Low Energy Electrical Fittings: to renovate a derelict football pavilion in an environmentally friendly manner, to minimise energy demand and maximise energy efficiency to make the building as environmentally friendly as possible and ensure CO2 emissions are minimal when the building is back is use. Langbank Parent Partnership £3,000.00 Paisley North, West and Central LPS Community Garden - All the flowers of tomorrow are the seeds of today: to establish the garden as an extension to the outdoor classroom, where staff and pupils will learn about the environment, conservation, gardening, science and experience the natural world. Transforming a piece of land to be productive and a place to meet, will bring people together, young and old, with a common interest where they will harvest friendships and deep bonds, encouraging intergenerational relationships. Pupils will grow fruit, vegetables and herbs. They will harvest the produce and share what they don't use with the community. The Good Shepherd Centre (GSC) £2,855.00 Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton and Langbank GSC Community Garden: Improved lifestyle choices, increased awareness of the importance of continued reduction of carbon footprint and associated physical, mental health and wellbeing benefits of the outdoors underpins our planned project. The project will develop a ‘fork to fork’ approach utilising GSC’s garden contributes to GSC Young People’s Climate Change Agenda. Working in partnership with Duke of Edinburgh Award, GSC School & Wellbeing Teams will add value by contributing horticultural skills and curriculum development to support young people’s ambitions to drive to net zero. Local Energy Action Plan £3,000 The Villages Diggin' It Together: a food growing initiative supporting people in our area to grow their own food from their own homes, and in community spaces which will: o reduce carbon emissions by reducing food miles, packaging and industrial processes around food production o promoting mindfulness of the issues around food production and food waste which is contributing to our climate crisis o tackling food insecurity by empowering people with knowledge and skills to grow food themselves, by sustainable methods o contribute to a sense of wellbeing and getting people outdoors o create opportunities for people to come together at community events and connect, as part of a neighbourly gardening club, reducing social isolation
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ORGANISATION FUNDING REQUESTED LOCAL PARTNERSHIP AREA NAME & PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT Renfrewshire Rainbow Buddies £2,220.00 Johnstone and Linwood Renfrewshire Rainbow Buddies Little and Large Explorers: to do up Johnstone Castle Community Centre garden along with exploring our local forestry area, working with local classes to provide wooden items for us to decorate, make the garden a nice place to be within and also provide appropriate equipment to explore our local areas by active travel. The community garden will enable everyone to learn new skills including planting, making flower beds, road safety and food hygiene. Ferguslie Cricket Club £2,000.00 Gleniffer Climate Change Projects: to help sustainability and climate change through two key areas: 1. installation of LED lighting throughout our premises which will help reduce energy consumption and make the building more energy efficient 2. creation of a small garden area within our grounds for growing a variety of plants which will enhance and support biodiversity, insects and bees Ferguslie Community Development Trust £2,871.00 Paisley North, West and Central F.C.D.T Sunshine On Ferguslie (Schools Project): environmental improvements to front gardens to help encourage interest and raise awareness in the local environment, coupled with opportunities to learn new gardening skills and access to new plants. The project will facilitate sessions to allow local people to get involved in the construction of garden planters and birdboxes, create community gardening clubs, raise awareness of the benefits of gardening and being outdoors and raise awareness of climate change through education. Mossvale Community Church £2,510.00 Paisley North, West and Central Sewing2gether All Nations - Repair Make Do & Mend: to run a series of sewing Make Do & Mend Workshops at Sewing2gether All Nations, a group providing support for members of the refugee and asylum seeker community; to create Make Do & Mend videos for the wider public; and to produce a Mending Skills Toolkit, including all the essential items each household would require to continue to fix items at home. By repairing, mending, altering and fixing existing / donated clothing textiles will be saved from landfill. Williamsburgh Parent Council £2,897.22 Paisley East Getting Williamsburgh Growing!: to support children of all ages to learn about growing our own food. As well as the obvious benefits from getting outside – planting and seeing the seeds grow and harvesting the fruits and vegetables – partnership working with appropriate organisations will support teachers by providing local food growing advice building capacity for both teachers and pupils. This project will lead to improvements not only for physical health and wellbeing through increased activity, but also for mental health too. The project will be embedded in the school curriculum across all ages in reference to themes around sustainability and climate change, health and wellbeing and will enable the recently formed gardening club to thrive.
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ORGANISATION FUNDING REQUESTED LOCAL PARTNERSHIP AREA NAME & PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT Renfrew YMCA SCIO £3,000.00 Renfrew Make Renfrew Green: to start implementing up-cycling into our organisation. This project will inform young people of what up-cycling is, how it can benefit our environment and help with stopping climate change as well as teaching young people practical skills. By teaching young people all about the effect that fast fashion is having on our world and the part it plays on climate change we hope this project will inspire young people to talk to their families and their peers about this so that they can make a further impact on the local community. The project will celebrate the importance of community-led action by hosting an eco-friendly fashion show to show the clothing and household items that have been upcycled. Bonnie Bishopton £3,000.00 Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton and Langbank Community Gardens at Community Centre: to regenerate neglected land covered in debris and weeds, creating two distinct themed community gardens using plants small trees and shrubs which will provide food, water and shelter for bees and butterflies all year round. The project will connect villagers with each other and improve their health and wellbeing by creating a garden together and achieving a feeling of self-worth, whilst enjoying the floral attraction. Creating a space for our elderly villagers to sit at our Happy to Chat Bench enjoying memories evoked by sensory fragrant plants and meet people, combatting loneliness. Finding Your Feet (FYF) £3,000.00 Paisley North, West and Central FYF Charity Hub Garden: to reclaim an area of disused land and turn it into a garden and play area for all charities in the hub to use. The land has not been used since the 1960s when it was used to store coal – the project would enhance the space and make it useable for our community. The FYF Charity Hub garden will provide a sensory garden, outdoor children's accessible play area, nature walks, beekeeping and therapeutic gardening activities for everyone who uses the hub to enjoy. Sculpture House Collective (CIC) £2,985.60 Paisley North, West and Central Sculpture House Community Dye Garden: to explore the opportunities for developing a community Dye Garden on the grounds of the Sculpture House Collective expanding to satellite locations across the Ferguslie Park area. The greenspaces will be used to grow plants and trees that can be used for dyeing and printing textiles. The aims are to: 1. engage the local community in a collaborative program of education, wellbeing and creativity 2. Increase climate resilience by tackling biodiversity loss across underused greenspaces 3. Educate the public on issues of everyday pollution and sustainability as they relate to clothing and textiles.
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Appendix 2 – Applications not recommended for Community Climate Fund support ORGANISATION FUNDING REQUESTED NAME & PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT COMMENTS St. Marks (Oldhall) Church £3,000.00 St. Marks Green Team 2022: Project 2022 sets out to reduce energy consumption in the church and its halls and separate waste at source Not recommended for award Youth with a Mission £3,000.00 Stanely House Climate Impact Reduction and education: 1) Reduce climate emissions (carbon dioxide and methane) from the historic, category B listed Stanely House, Paisley. 2) Communicate to visitors about how the steps that achieved this did so, and by how much, with updates in future. Not recommended for award Paisley West Church £3,000.00 Recycling & Lighting: to help improve the recycling within the church by all church groups and also to assist with the installation of LED lighting throughout our premises Not recommended for award REMODE RENFREWSHIRE CIC £3,000.00 Community Garment Re-use Scheme: a 40-week programme to promote and encourage clothing re-use and to prevent textiles reaching landfill Not recommended for award WHAT IF Paisley Ltd £3,000.00 Outdoor Community Space at WHAT IF Phase 1: to create outdoor space in the centre of town for community groups and individuals to meet in a safe space with the option to grow plants and veg in raised beds, and take part in outdoor workshops Not recommended for award Shopmobility Paisley & District £2,700.00 Improve capacity providing opportunities to develop skills and personal development through volunteering: We know customers are experiencing social isolation and loneliness as statistics tell us that. These funds will enable us to purchase lunches, water, uniforms, safety equipment, access accredited and non-accredited training plus a toolbox with tools. Not recommended for award Paisley Darkside Historical Walking Tours £1,500.00 Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers in Renfrewshire: The purpose of this project is to offer very interesting and exciting volunteer roles to an additional 50 or more people to help us grow and develop over the project year. Not recommended for award Glencorse Residents Association £3,000.00 Glencorse Road Woodland project: to regenerate a bit of common land that is between our building and housing on Stranka Avenue to become a managed bit of Scottish woodland Not recommended for award