Council Decarbonisation Plan Tracker
Argyll and Bute Council · 11 May 2023
Back to Policy and Resources Committee — 11 May 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL POLICY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE CLIMATE CHANGE BOARD 11th May 2023 COUNCIL DECARBONISATION PLAN TRACKER 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 The Council’s Decarbonisation Plan sets a 3 year framework to continue our climate journey and routemap to net zero which was approved in December 2021. Our Council has made a clear commitment to be a net zero organisation by 2045 and has also declared a climate emergency befitting the importance and critical nature of the topic. 1.2 Whilst the main Decarbonisation Plan will be fixed for 3 years the associated Action Plan (which forms an Appendix of the document) will be continuously updated and reported to both the Climate Change Board and Policy & Resources Committee. 1.3 The latest update can be found at Appendix A. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 That the Policy & Resources Committee: 2.1.1 Note and consider the updated De-Carbonisation Tracker. 3. IMPLICATIONS 3.1 Policy – This paper content is entirely consistent with climate change policy and action at local, national and international level. 3.2 Financial – Not specific but many actions will have individual and cumulative financial implications. 3.3 Legal – Meeting requirements of Climate Change Scotland Act. 3.4 HR – None 3.5 Fairer Scotland Duty 3.5.1 Equalities – Protected characteristics – None
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3.5.2 Socio economic Duty – Creating warmer or more efficient homes that are cheaper to heat is a positive for all. 3.5.3 Islands – None specific 3.6 Climate change – Direct link to meeting net zero obligations for our Council. 3.7 Risk – Not addressing impacts or causes of climate change can lead to increased cost or censure if targets are not met. 3.8 Customer Service – Creating warmer or more efficient homes that are cheaper to heat is a positive for all. Douglas Hendry Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services Councillor Ross Moreland Policy Lead Climate Change & Environment 5th April 2023 For further information contact: Ross McLaughlin Head of Commercial Services The Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre ross.mclaughlin@argyll-bute.gov.uk
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Appendix A – Climate Change Tracker ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS W1 –Develop and Implement Waste Strategy (L) Roads and Amenity Services, Community, commercial customers Implementation of the Waste Strategy transitioning to Landfill ban compliant Residual Waste Recovery solutions by 2025. External funding and support being sought from the Scottish Government An options appraisal was conducted by an external consultant. This document and an Officer report was prepared for ED&I committee in December. The main focus of the report was to approach the Scottish Government (SG) to request a derogation for the area covered by the PPP contract, and to also liaise with Renewi to progress discussions around landfill ban compliance should a derogation not be given by SG. This engagement continues by Officers and elected members. W2 – Promote the Waste Hierarchy through community Education (L) Roads and Amenity Services Evidence of community Education Not secured New Web content and Education materials for Primary and Secondary Schools were developed and delivered to online Education Environment Summit October 21 and the COP 26 Event on the 6th November 21.
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS W3 – Reduce Council use of disposable and single use plastics across all departments and settings (L) Procurement and Commercial Services, all Council Services Adoption of new working practices and procurement No specific funding in place, research required to impact on operation costs A report on Single Use Plastic went to the Policy and Resources Committee on 9 December 2021, and the following recommendations were approved: Note and consider that the various Services that currently purchase SUP products consider whether these products are essential or if there is a potential alternative that would meet the Service requirements, prior to orders being placed via PECOS or contacting the Procurement, Commercial and Contract Management Team (PCCMT) for a procurement process to be carried out. Note and consider that the Sustainable
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS Procurement Policy will be updated to reflect the Climate Change Board desire to limit SUP where possible – wording has been included in the Annual Review 2023/2024 version of the Procurement Strategy 2022/2025 as follows: “To provide procurement support to any strategic decisions taken by the Council in relation to the usage of Single Use Plastic products and their recyclability.” Note and consider that the Commodity Sourcing Strategy templates used for Regulated Procurements have been updated to include a question
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS regarding SUP. Changes in legislation were brought into force by the Scottish Government on the 1st June 2022 restricting single-use plastic cutlery, plates, straws, drink stirrers and balloon sticks, expanded polystyrene food containers and expanded polystyrene cups and other beverage containers, as well as all products made of oxo- degradable plastic. Some products already changed and others under review. W4 – Extend and explore pre- ordering for school food to reduce food waste (L) Commercial Services and Education Evidence of extension of pre-ordering & food waste reduction Project funded and solution procured Project Team currently implementing this, with full project end date estimated as June 2023. E1 – Deliver Renewable Sourcing Strategy 2 (L) Commercial Services Adoption of Strategy RSS2 consultancy work funding to be confirmed; expectation is that project implementation will be through combinations of prudential borrowing RSS2 next stage development work includes specification development and preparation of invitation to tender for specialist consultancy
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS (subject to business case approvals) and/or external funding. support. Current work in progress; intended to be market tested during 2023. E2 – Delivery of Non-domestic Energy Efficiency Framework (NDEEF) Projects (L) Commercial Services Evidence of delivery of projects Project development work is funded by combinations of the Scottish Government and the procured provider (costs absorbed within the tender process). Funding for project implementation will come from Council approved capital allocations: Climate Change 20/21 - £500K Climate Change 21/22 - £600K Asset Sustainability – £175K NDEEF Energy Performance Contract was signed on 16 July 2021 (circa £1.2m investment with 10 year payback). The NDEEF mini project list has been fully delivered with the exception of three final mini projects which are currently being scheduled for installation. It should be noted that there has been some variation to the mini project list originally intended; mainly on account of accommodation reviews and technical risks identified during detailed site survey; where originally identified projects have not proceeded, alternative projects have been introduced in their stead. In addition to the above, the procurement sourcing strategy
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS for the next batch of sites, using designation NDEEF2, is under way. E3 – Delivery of additional solar installations at Council assets (L) Commercial Services Evidence of delivery of projects Consultancy work funding to be confirmed; expectation is that project implementation will be through combinations of prudential borrowing (subject to business case approvals) and/or external funding. Solar pv Options (initial feasibility work completed for circa 9 further sites) – some opportunities absorbed within NDEEF (Ref item E2) as project replacements due to accommodation reviews etc. A ‘mop up’ of remaining project prospects intended to be market tested as a component within an upcoming solar pv maintenance contract in 2023. E4 – Delivery of Water Efficiency Audits across our Estate (L) Commercial Services Evidence of delivery of projects Feasibility work being absorbed within existing approved budgets. Individual works items are generally small scale and it is proposed to utilise existing approved budgets where possible. Significant Council wide asset verification exercise and ensuring water use minimised. This project is substantially complete but will continue further into 2023 when a case study will be prepared to demonstrate the range of tasks undertaken and to convey the reduction in water consumption (with carbon emissions reduction) and costs
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS arising from this already successful project. E5– Delivery of Energy Efficiency Scotland Programme (L) Housing Services, Registered Social Landlords Evidence of delivery of projects Funding amounts are determined by localised factors and is paid as a proportion of the Scottish Governments’ Heat In Buildings Strategy The Scheme is projected to spend all of its £2,011,323 budget for 2022/23 plus a further £300,000 which was awarded by the Scottish Government to meet the demands of an increased number of applications in 2022/23. Additionally Argyll & Bute Council was awarded £2.23m by the Scottish Government to complete a programme of insulation works in conjunction with Argyll Community Housing Association on mixed tenure properties throughout Argyll & Bute. The Scheme continues to successfully deliver insulation measures throughout Argyll & Bute in accordance with the Scottish Governments “Fabric First” principle.
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS E6 – Complete LED streetlight replacement programme (L) Roads and Infrastructure Services Evidence of delivery of projects Fully funded through prudential borrowing Contractors have now commenced works in the Lorn Area to progress the last installation phase of the project and have a programme of approx. 4-6 weeks to install 1100 new LED luminaires. 860 have now been installed and delivery of some additional luminaires is awaited before contractor completes in the Lorn area. All works in the Oban area should be complete by the end of May 2023.The Council has 14442 streetlights in total so carbon emissions have already been greatly reduced by the LED Upgrade Project. 2021/22 figures were CO2 totals 738 tonnes, this has been reducing year on year, back in 2015/16 figures were CO2 Totals 3140 tonnes. 2022/23 emissions are forecast to be reduced by approx. 10 – 15% on the 2021/22 figures.
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS E7 – Continue support of ABRA and review Renewable Energy Strategy annually (L) Economic Development Evidence of delivery of projects Officer resource to support currently funded Work to support ABRA ongoing. Current ongoing project by SSE Networks for renewal of powerlines between Inveraray and Crossaig. Work commenced on outline business case for progressing Islay Energy System work through the Rural Growth Deal. Islay was selected as one of the Carbon Neutral Islands being progressed by the Scottish Government , work is ongoing. E8 – Continue support for offshore development of renewables (L) Economic Development Evidence of delivery of projects (expected late 2020s/early 2030s) Officer resource to support currently funded Scottish Power Renewables are progressing the Islay site (Machair Wind) project with consultation events held during 2022. An announcement on the Crown Estate Scotland Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing has been made and a site off Islay identified.
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS T1 – Develop a Fleet Replacement Strategy supportive of fuel efficient, electric and hybrid vehicles (L) Roads and Infrastructure Services Adoption of Strategy Part for current financial year The Strategy is complete, final review will take place to ensure the 2025 legislative changes are included. The council have introduced hybrid and electric vehicles to the Fleet. The council operates 14% of its Fleet with the new technology. T2 – Develop a vehicle routing system that will reduce road miles for operations (L) Roads and Infrastructure Services Evidence of delivery of projects Part for current financial year The Council went to tender earlier this year for route optimisation and had a number of bidders. Officers have gone through the selection process and a preferred bidder has been chosen and their bid is within the budget available. They recently provided a demonstration of their system which was well received by our tender evaluation panel. Arrangements are being made with colleagues in Procurement and IT to finalise the necessary due diligence then we will look to award the contract.
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS T3 – Develop an electric vehicle infrastructure strategy (L) Roads and Infrastructure Services Evidence of delivery of projects Part for current financial year The development of the EV network is funded by external grant monies from Transport Scotland, and the costs of developing the strategy in terms of staff time are covered via existing budgets Ultimately the cost recovery model Work on the strategy document is now effectively complete and we have a long list of sites which will be recommended to Committee for formal adoption as well as ancillary parts of the strategy around maintenance, procurement etc. A comprehensive year-end report will go to EDI in December summarising the current position. The next key stage is securing enough external funding and/or agreeing a delivery model – self delivery supported by business case, concession model or leasing sites, or a mixture of the three. A high level analysis of possible delivery options will also be contained in the year end report. T4 – Support Digital by Default theme Service Review & Recovery Plan to reduce need to travel All Council Departments Evidence of delivery of projects Part for current financial year Council is adopting ‘Our Modern Workspace’ programme and Digital First
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS approach as services change and evolve post pandemic. T5 – Develop new active travel plans for Council buildings and our towns (L) Economic Development Evidence of delivery of projects £2.9M external funding secured development and delivery of Active Travel in 22/23 financial year. No active travel funding is provided by Council. External competitive challenge funds are time consuming to secure and projects have to be shaped to fit with external funders’ aspirations and requirements by the 1.7FTE staff in the Strategic Transportation Team. However, at present these are the only available source(s) of potential funding to deliver active travel improvements. The purpose of active travel is to make it as easy as possible and help to encourage individuals, businesses and visitors to choose to walk, wheel or cycle for local journeys. Increasing activity and reducing sedentary behaviour has significant health benefits and can increase accessibility to essential services, education, employment, retail and leisure. Walking and cycling are lower cost travel modes and, if they are a viable option, can help households reduce their reliance on private cars, particularly multiple car households. No Council funding is currently expended on Active Travel work, with all costs, including internal staff costs (1.7FTE), having to be funded via
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS successfully securing external challenge funds. As all active travel work is currently reliant on securing external funding, therefore the projects which are progressed are those which can successfully secure external challenge funding. Argyll and Bute Active Travel Strategy: Officers are working to develop an Argyll and Bute Active Travel Strategy and present it for Council by summer 2024. The Active Travel Strategy would provide the overarching context for the Council to support and promote active travel across the Council area. Having an adopted and current Active Travel Strategy is increasingly becoming a pre-requirement to access Scottish Government derived active travel funding. Active Travel Delivery Plan:
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS Following approval of Active Travel Strategy, an Active Travel Delivery Plan will be developed to create a prioritised list of active travel projects for the whole of Argyll and Bute. Active Travel Projects: The majority of external funding available is provided by the Scottish Government via a number of third sector organisation who are paid to administer these funds. The focus for Scottish Government Active Travel funding is to develop and deliver infrastructure projects and associated behaviour change. As such, the focus for the very limited staff capacity in the Active Travel Team has been to develop and deliver infrastructure projects across Argyll and Bute with a focus on our main towns and locations
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS with strong community support. Active Travel Plans for Towns: There are Active Travel Plans in place for the main towns in Argyll and Bute, albeit some are now quite historic. The town Active Travel Plans focus on identifying potential active travel route networks for key towns. These provide a framework for the development of new active travel routes, which will enable and encourage residents, businesses and visitors to choose to travel more actively. No funding is currently secured to enable the Active Travel Plans for towns to be updated. Council Staff Travel Plan: At present it is not proposed to progress with development of a Council Staff Travel Plan. This
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS is due to (a) requirement to make best use of limited internal staff capacity; and, (b) the ongoing uncertainty of longer-term staff profiles and bases. Staff Travel Plans focus on measures to make it easier and preferable for staff to choose to walk, cycle, use public transport or car share to commute to work or for work journeys, or use economical pool vehicles for work journeys. A travel plan should encourage staff to choose the most economical and least environmentally damaging travel mode. Engagement will be required with services which manage staff in buildings and/or council buildings as this is essential to creating deliverable and effective travel plans for staff. This includes Estates, HR, SMT and building users. It is recommended that work on the Council Staff
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS Travel Plan is commenced after a decision has been made on future staff working patterns and office rationalisation as these will have a significant impact on the Council Staff and their travel. There is currently no funding secured to enable this work to be progressed. PA1 – Review Council Flooding & Coastal Protection Policy (L) Roads and Infrastructure Services Review of policy No specific funding in place, research required to impact on operation costs Reviews are in process. PA2 – Review Council Sustainable Procurement Policy (L) Procurement Review of policy No specific funding in place, research required to impact on operation costs This policy is reviewed on an annual basis. OFF1 – Develop opportunities for Carbon Offsetting with ACT and partners (L) Climate Change Board, ACT and partners Delivery of projects Limited funding via ACT for existing projects SSEN compensatory planting – Phase 1 complete, Phase 2 underway with planting at Kilmory and Dunbeg, which will complete the LT40 compensatory planting obligation SSEN allocated to ACT. ACT is working with SSEN to pilot a Biodiversity Net Gain project in Cowal which would
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS see 50 hectares of Rainforest cleared of invasive rhododendrons. ACT have entered agreement with Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition to plant 100,000 native trees in Argyll. over the coming 5 years. Sites confirmed. This planting will offer opportunities for carbon credits for landowners. ACT are working in partnership with the Community Planning Partnership and will be hosting a Climate Change Officer. Funding for initial phase of work secured. ACT undertaking peatland restoration on Islay, Jura and extending into mainland Argyll, supported by ScotGov’s Peatland Action and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. In addition to the 2 Islay based
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS jobs, we will be offering a 1- year trainee position in 2024. ACTNow project officer has delivered Carbon Literacy Training to A&BC Elected Members and Senior Council Officers. Now working on a carbon literacy initiative for schools and youth groups. Also delivering Bikes Back to the Community with the support of Smarter Choices, Smarter Places funding. ACT has recently taken ownership of two electric bikes available for groups and businesses to trial. A successful bid to the Community Led Local Development Fund resourced engagement materials and communications plan to launch a regional natural capital strategy. Initial project concluded, Stakeholder
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS workshop to progress scheduled May 2023. ACT received development funding from the Nature Restoration Fund to survey invasive rhododendron within Rainforest zones in Knapdale. Currently working with landowners. Full bid for rhodo clearance will be submitted July 2023. ACT leading a consortium of Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest partners to submit a bid to Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland – to facilitate private finance investment into habitat restoration. COMM1- Develop and deliver Communications Plan to support Decarbonisation Plan (L) Climate Change Board and Communicatio ns Team Delivery of Communications Plan Part of Communications Support External communications We continue to promote actions the council is taking, and actions that others can take, to develop climate-
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS friendly Argyll and Bute. For example: Promoting Scottish. Cost of living support – warm spaces. Gigha Primary School Green Flag award. £5.58 million secured to deliver energy efficiency savings. Pupils from Appletree Nursery and Gigha and Rosneath Primary Schools won Keep Scotland Beautiful Pocket Garden Competition. Supporting Communities Fund. Advertised job vacancy to develop Local Heat and Energy Strategy. Progress updates about Campbeltown Flood Protection Scheme.
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS Lochgilphead to Crinan Active Travel Route. Promotion of school uniform recycling scheme. Christmas recycling tips – how to dispose of your tree responsibly, re-use wrapping paper and how to recycle Christmas cards etc. Promotion of HEEPS. Ongoing recycling reminders. Working in partnership with Argyll Community Housing Association - ACHA Group, 406 households across Argyll and Bute set to benefit from new energy efficiency measures.
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS COMM2 - Engage with community and partners and deliver Climate Change Directory for our region (L) Community Planning and Development Team Delivery of engagement map In place until end of financial year The CPP Climate Change signposting page is live https://www.argyll- bute.gov.uk/cpp-climate- change with further entries added as they are received. The dedicated Climate Change funding opportunities search, available through the signposting page, is conducted and an updated document produced on a regular basis. The Community Planning team provides input and support to the Climate Change Working Group which feeds back to the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee. Through community engagement data collated over the past 3 years, Climate Change was selected as a priority theme to be included within the consultation to help inform discussions on the new
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS 10-year Argyll and Bute Outcomes Improvement Plan. COMM3 - Monitor the delivery of actions in the Climate Change Action Plan and review in 2024 (L) Climate Change Board Review of this plan by December 2024 Monitored through Tracker to be submitted quarterly to Policy & Resources Committee. Completed – next review Dec 2024