Item 8 - Appendix 1
West Dunbartonshire Council · 20 May 2026
Back to Infrastructure, Regeneration & Economic Development Committee — 20 May 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Official Appendix 1: Regulatory & Regeneration Delivery Plan 2025/26 – Economic Development Year-end Progress Our Environment Our resources are used in an environmentally sustainable way Performance Indicator 2024/25 2025/26 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Tonnage of carbon dioxide emissions from Council operations and assets 18,235 18,188 2025/26 data is available in November when all utilities bills and waste figures are validated in advance of preparing our annual mandatory climate change report for submission to the Scottish Government in November 2026. 2024/25 data, reported in November 2025, shows significant progress. The value of 18,235 tonnes represents 33.8% reduction on the previous year, 44.7% reduction on the 2012/13 baseline and 5.7% ahead of projected target. These are positive steps. However, the main reduction is from the Council's scope 3 waste emissions, which is a result of shifting a significant amount of waste from landfill to incineration through the Net Zero Cooperation Agreement with Glasgow City Council. Both scope 1 and 2 emissions increased slightly for 2024/25 period. To reach a 61% reduction by 2030/31 we need to reduce a further 16.3% in just over five years and investment in required to reduce gas, electricity and diesel consumption. Amanda Kean ITEM 8 - APPENDIX 1
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Official Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner Co-ordinate, monitor and report the progress of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan for 2025/26 31-Mar- 2026 Completed as planned. The Climate Change Action Group meets regularly to progress and monitor this work stream. To encourage wider engagement, service specific meetings have been arranged and are now underway. Amanda Kean Develop the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy Delivery Plan 31-Mar- 2026 Overdue. Recruitment for the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency post has taken longer than anticipated. Due to other commitments, there is not the capacity within the climate team to finalise the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Delivery Plan. Once the post is filled, the Delivery Plan will be finalised. This action will be carried forward in 2026/27 and completed. Amanda Kean 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 01-Apr- 2026 The risk assessment remains unchanged from mid-year. The Council's most recent emissions, reported in November 2025 for 2024/25, showed significant progress. (Details are set out under the PI ‘Tonnage of carbon dioxide emissions from Council operations and assets’ above.) The long-term Climate Change Coordinator vacancy has been Alan Douglas; Amanda Kean; Gail Macfarlane
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Official Risk Description Current Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner Government in light of the Climate Emergency. filled internally; this currently leaves another vacancy within the energy team that will be filled as soon as possible. Participation from service areas has increased at Climate Change Action Plan meetings and emission reductions actions and projects are forthcoming. The Council also has the opportunity to utilise ClimateView and track trajectory to Net Zero, allowing actions and projects to be prioritised and a more collective, strategic approach to be implemented. The Strategic Risk will be reviewed at the next Climate Change Action Plan meeting for relevance and an amended risk / set of risks will be reported to future meetings.
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Official Our neighbourhoods are sustainable and attractive Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner Promote the next phases of Queens Quay Housing 31-Mar- 2026 Completed as planned. Officers continue to progress this site and support delivery. A planning application for residential development on part of the site has been submitted and further residential applications are expected Q2 2026/2027. Michael Mulgrew; Magda Swider Our Economy Our area has the infrastructure for sustainable and inclusive growth where businesses can flourish Performance Indicator 2024/25 2025/26 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Number of businesses given advice and assistance to start up through Business Gateway 190 188 180 Target exceeded. During 2025/26, 188 businesses were provided with advice to start-up through Business Gateway, exceeding the target of 180. Gillian Scholes Number of business gateway start-ups per 10,000 population 21.32 19.78 2025/26 data for this Local Government Benchmarking Framework (LGBF) indicator will be available at a later date following publication by the Improvement Service. Based on the LGBF comparative data for the previous year (2024/25) published by the Improvement Service in February 2026, performance was better than the Scottish average of 12.3, and better than the family Gillian Scholes
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Official Performance Indicator 2024/25 2025/26 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note group average of 12.2, with a ranking of 2 of 32 local authorities, down 1 place from the previous year. Proportion of properties receiving superfast broadband 99.8% 99% 2025/26 data for this LGBF indicator will be available at a later date following publication by the Improvement Service. Based on the LGBF comparative data for the previous year (2024/25) published by the Improvement Service in February 2026, performance was better than the Scottish average of 97.1%, and better than the family group average of 99.1%, with a ranking of 1 of 32 local authorities, consistent with the previous year. Gillian Scholes Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner Deliver key regeneration sites across West Dunbartonshire 31-Mar- 2026 Completed as planned. • Work to support the regeneration of the Exxon and Scottish Marine Technology Park (SMTP) is progressing well. SMTP was approved as an Investment Zone project in November 2025 and Malin Group are currently preparing an Outline Business Case. Investment Zone funding will contribute £20m towards development of the SMTP over the next 10 years. • An application for Regeneration Capital Grant funding progressed to Stage 2 and results are expected in Spring. Magda Swider
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Official Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner • Construction works on the Exxon site are progressing well, with a significant milestone achieved in January 2026 when the western underbridge was completed by Network Rail. Work is also underway on marketing the Exxon site and further updates will be provided to the project board. Explore commercial opportunities in our town centres and wider regeneration sites 31-Mar- 2026 Progress has been achieved in a number of areas over the year including discussions with prospective developers with regards to the Queens Quay development and appointment of consultants to develop a Tourism Strategy for the West Dunbartonshire. However, one milestone relating to the Council's consideration of the Planning Permission in Principle (PPIP) application for the Masterplan Dumbarton Artizan redevelopment has been delayed due to prolonged engagement with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) which is a statutory consultee. SEPA objected to the application on the grounds that it does not comply with Policy 22 of the National Planning Framework 4 and provided comments on our Flood Risk Assessment. The Flood Risk Assessment was subsequently amended to address their feedback and re-submitted to Planning and we are currently awaiting SEPA’s response. SEPA’s objection will not be lifted, however, once their response is received, the PPIP will be considered by the Council. It is expected to be Spring or early Summer 2026. Magda Swider
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Official Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner Deliver business support interventions through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025/26 31-Mar- 2026 Completed as planned. Business grants available through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund have been promoted through social media, council website and directly to eligible businesses. The UK Government has extended the deadline for grant spend until the end of September 2026. We will continue to appraise and process applications to maximise funding through this period. Gillian Scholes Support town centre revitalisation 31-Mar- 2026 Completed as planned. In Alexandria, we have been working with the Business Improvement District to develop designs for Mitchell Way/main Street improvements. We have also appointed a contractor for the Alexander Street improvements, another of the Alexandria Masterplan projects. In Clydebank, a big milestone was achieved when the Pride in Place Plan was submitted to the UK Government. Once approved it will unlock up to £20m funding over the next 10 years. In Dumbarton, delivery of the UK Government funded regeneration works in the town centre is progressing well, with Phase 1 of Artizan redevelopment now on site. Magda Swider 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 11-Mar- 2026 Risk remains unchanged. Delivery of site remains embedded in service workstreams. Michael Mulgrew; Magda Swider
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Official Risk Description Current Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner business case for the District Heating Network. 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. 11-Mar- 2026 Risk remains unchanged. Individual projects continue to progress and are regularly reviewed, reducing the likelihood of undesirable outcomes. Embedded in workstreams to ensure sufficient resource to support delivery of projects within required timescales. Michael Mulgrew; Magda Swider Our Council Our residents are engaged and empowered Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner Continue the development of Community Planning 31-Mar- 2026 Completed as planned. The development of Community Planning has progressed well during 2025/26. A review of Delivery Improvement Groups was completed and a recommendations paper was submitted to the Management Board in November setting out recommendations on partnership reporting. A pilot in Alexandria looking at access to services was established and the initial engagement stage was completed in 2025/26. Next steps will be identified, and this work will continue in 2026/27. Colin Smith
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Official Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner Continue to contribute to the Community Learning and Development Plan 2024/27 31-Mar- 2026 Completed as planned. The Communities Team continues to deliver community development support to groups across West Dunbartonshire to maximise their impact. This can be through support to secure external funding, promotion or by developing skills and improving governance arrangements. The team is represented on the Community Development Alliance and plays a key role in supporting communities through the development of Locality Plans. Of particular note, we supported the completion of two community-led Local Place Plans in Old Kilpatrick and Central Alexandria, both of which have been approved and adopted at Planning Committee. Colin Smith Conclude the Cash First Project including evaluation 31-Mar- 2026 Completed as planned. The Cash First Project is a Scottish Government initiative to end the need for food banks in Scotland through providing funds or vouchers to people in financial crisis. Delivered jointly by the Communities Team and Working 4U, it has been very successful, with the available funding reaching those most in need through a network of trusted partner referrals. The Communities Team has developed and carried out the evaluation engagement to support the Cash-First programme. This will be submitted to the Scottish Government as the end of the project draws to a successful close. Colin Smith
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Official Risk Description Current Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner Engaging positively with Residents, Communities & Partnerships The risk that the Council fails to adequately engage, establish and maintain positive relationships with local residents and communities in addition to partnership bodies. 11-Mar- 2026 A partnership approach to Community engagement is being undertaken led by the Community Planning Partnership and associated partnerships - Community Learning and Development and Community Development Alliance in particular. The Communities Team and other partners deliver community development work which seeks to raise awareness of community planning and Community Empowerment in communities. Locality plans, community-led place planning and work to support the Clydebank Neighbourhood Board’s community engagement means this risk is unchanged. Colin Smith
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Official Action Status Overdue Completed PI Status Target met or exceeded Risk Status Warning OK Long Term Trends Getting worse Short Term Trends Getting worse