Item 8 - Appendix 1
West Dunbartonshire Council · 22 May 2024
Back to Infrastructure, Regeneration & Economic Development Committee — 22 May 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Appendix 1: Regulatory & Regeneration Delivery Plan 2023/24 - Economic Development Year-end Progress Our Environment Our resources are used in an environmentally sustainable way Performance Indicator 2022/23 2023/24 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Tonnage of carbon dioxide emissions from Council operations and assets 23,150 20,495 Figure will be available following collection of data for the Scottish Sustainability Network (SSN) submission in November 2024. Rachel Moir Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner Co-ordinate, monitor and report the progress of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan for 2023/24 31-Mar- 2024 Following the departure of the Sustainability Officer in Summer 2023, there had been insufficient resource to monitor the 2023/24 plan centrally. However, there has been some great work undertaken by individual service areas to progress the plan which will be reported via the individual Climate Change Action Plan 2023/24 actions in Pentana. Since a new Climate Change and Energy Coordinator has been in post, the 2024/25 Action Plan has been developed and reports on progress of the Council's Climate Change Strategy have been made to the Transformation & Visioning Board. Rachel Moir Develop a Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy 31-Dec- 2023 The Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) was approved by IRED Committee on 21 February 2024. This is currently out for external engagement with the final version Rachel Moir ITEM 8 - APPENDIX 1
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due in summer 2024. Work on the Delivery Plan has commenced and will be developed in parallel with the LHEES finalisation. Risk Description Current Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner Inability to reduce carbon footprint in line with targets The risk that the Council will be unable to achieve net zero emissions by 2045, both in relation to mitigating carbon emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. Net zero refers to achieving an overall balance between emissions produced and emissions taken out of the atmosphere. This target has been developed in a way that mirrors the emission reduction trajectory set by the Scottish Government in light of the Climate Emergency. 14-Mar- 2024 Early emissions targets from 2013 to 2021 were achieved; however, both 2022 and 2023 targets were missed and a slowdown in carbon reduction evident. This is likely due to a number of factors including the fact that most of the 'low hanging fruit' in terms of projects/initiatives have now been implemented. In order to ensure Net Zero emissions are achieved by 2045, significant funding and resource will be required to deliver more transformational and innovative initiatives. At present, it is unclear how this will be identified as a significant shortfall; hence the elevation of the 'Likelihood' status at this time. Should WDC continue to miss targets, it is likely that greater than anticipated carbon offsetting initiatives will be necessary to address residual emissions which will likely be at a cost. Gillian McNamara
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Our neighbourhoods are sustainable and attractive Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner Promote the next phase of Queens Quay Housing 31-Mar- 2024 The landowner is negotiating with a potential site developer and updating the Council on progress. Pamela Clifford; Gillian McNamara Our Economy Our area has the infrastructure for sustainable and inclusive growth where businesses can flourish Performance Indicator 2022/23 2023/24 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Number of businesses given advice and assistance to start up through Business Gateway 205 200 180 During 2023/24, 200 businesses were supported to start up through Business Gateway which exceeds the target of 180. Gillian Scholes No of business gateway start-ups per 10,000 population 23.19 19.78 2023/24 data for this LGBF indicator will be available around November 2024 following publication by the Improvement Service. Gillian Scholes Proportion of properties receiving superfast broadband 99.5% 100% 2023/24 data for this LGBF indicator will be available around November 2024 following publication by the Improvement Service. Based on the most recent LGBF comparative data for the previous year Gillian Scholes
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(2022/23), published by the Improvement Service in December 2023, performance was better than the Scottish average of 95.5% with a ranking of 1 of 32 local authorities up two places from the previous year. Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner Produce, implement, monitor and report the progress of the 2023/24 Economic Development action plan 31-Mar- 2024 The Action Plan was approved by Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development (IRED) Committee in November 2023. It was implemented and monitored throughout 2023/24, and a progress report will be provided to IRED Committee. Gillian McNamara Deliver key regeneration sites across West Dunbartonshire 31-Mar- 2024 Levelling Up Fund (LUF) programme for Dumbarton town centre is progressing as planned. While there are some delays to application for Planning Permission in Principle, this will not affect the LUF funded Phase 1works for which a separate Planning Consent will be obtained. Full Exxon Full Business Case has been approved, however there is some delay to the start of the early works due to access issues which need to be resolved. Work is expected to commence in May 2024. SMTP development on Carless site is progressing, with a planning permission in principle submitted to Planning Committee and to Council in April 2024. Gillian McNamara Explore commercial opportunities in our town centres and wider regeneration sites 31-Mar- 2024 Limited progress has been achieved in Queens Quay due to constraints in the current housing market. The Exxon business case received approval by the Council and Glasgow City Region, allowing the Council to acquire land and prepare for the commencement of works. Start of works Gillian McNamara; Magda Swider
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awaits completion of remediation works by ESSO Petroleum. Works are likely to start in June/July 2024. For the Artizan redevelopment submission of the application for Planning Permission in Principle has been delayed till May 2024 due to complexities of the project and issues with NPF4 Policy 22 submission of the application has been delayed till May. This will not affect the overall progress of the Phase 1 works which will be covered by a separate detailed planning application. For the District heating expansion, discussions are ongoing with respective off- takers. Work is currently underway to connect 46 Clydebank Housing Association flats at Dumbarton Road, with connections to be completed throughout April of this year. Support town centre revitalisation 31-Mar- 2024 Town centre revitalisation projects are progressing as planned and complete for 2023/24. Gillian McNamara; Magda Swider Develop and implement business support interventions through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund 31-Mar- 2024 UK Shared Prosperity Fund business support interventions have been developed and have been promoted through Council website, social media channels and directly to local businesses. Gillian Scholes Risk Description Current Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner Failure to deliver Queens Quay Masterplan Following completion of Council investment there is a risk the housing plot sales do not materialise in the next 3-7 years, with implications for the return on investment and the business case for the District Heating Network. 14-Mar- 2024 Risk remains unchanged. Focus continues on landowner agreeing a housing proposal with the developer. Pamela Clifford; Gillian McNamara
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Risk Description Current Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner Inability to meet demands of Council to progress regeneration projects within desired timescales The number and complexity of regeneration projects is putting considerable strain on the resources available which can be exacerbated by delays out with the control of the service and when pinch points on different projects occur at roughly the same time. 14-Mar- 2024 Risk remains unchanged. Individual projects continue to progress, reducing the likelihood of undesirable outcomes. Pamela Clifford; Alan Douglas; Gillian McNamara Action Status Overdue Completed PI Status Target significantly missed Target narrowly missed Target met or exceeded Risk Status Alert Warning OK Long Term Trends Improving No change Declining Short Term Trends Improving No change Declining