Adapting and Mitigating Climate Change and Biodiversity
Report February 2022
Introduction from Cllr Tom Holway
In 2020, the Council declared a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency and I am pleased to see that we have quickly taken steps to implement a full action plan and are working with partners to deliver key actions.
Having adopted our new Better Lives for All strategy in September, this update reflects the progress of those actions that we have identified to support our response to the Climate and Biodiversity emergency over the next three years.
This is by all means not all that we are doing and I continue to provide regular updates to Executive and Overview & Scrutiny on progress against our detailed Climate and Biodiversity Action Plan. The latest update was provided to today’s meeting as a separate agenda item.
There are a number of achievements during this period (remembering that the Better Lives for All Strategy was only adopted in September)
✔ Climate and Biodiversity Crowdfunding platform launched enabling the Council to match fund schemes that are taking positive action to reduce their carbon emissions - £4,800 so far awarded
✔ Funding secured from the Urban Tree Challenge Fund project. This project will see 300 trees planted at 15 sites in early 2022 and a further 300 will follow early in 2023 at another 15 sites
✔ 1,000 responses received and analysed in respect of proposal for more wildflower areas on Council land
✔ Completed Carbon Literacy Training for the Senior Leadership Team and Extended Leadership Team in partnership with Torbay Council to embed the climate emergency into our organisation
- 4 Activities are on track
- 3 Activities slightly off track but plan in place
- 0 Activities are at risk of not completing as agreed
- 1 Activity is not yet due to start
Over the coming pages, we set out more in-depth updates for each.
While we continue to await details of the Councils final budget settlement for next year, we are pleased to see that we should be provided with a three-year settlement, providing us with more certainty about the funding available to us than in many recent years.
AM 1.1 - Converting our environmental management vehicles to electric
- Scoping requirements and holding initial discussions with providers re feasibility
- Upgrading of power to depot and Follaton House and install electric charging points
Key Highlights
The action consists of a number of different strands of work – logistics, HR, procurement- and will be delivered as a project. The officer originally identified to undertake the work has been reallocated. Therefore a replacement officer will be recruited, via secondment, to deliver the project in line with the delivery plan timeline. We are in discussion with other Councils regarding potential joint approaches to elements of the project.
Key risks / Issues
The lack of existing EV charging infrastructure, limited range of some EVs and the large area covered by some roles/vehicles represents a challenge in terms of ensuring that service delivery remains efficient with an EV fleet.
Looking ahead to the next six months
- Scoping of project
- Recruitment of officer
- Review of feasibility
Overall Rating AMBER
Amber – while overall the project is on track to deliver within the 3-year strategy timeframe, it is not likely that the first year's milestone will be met.
Action AM 1.2 - Carrying out feasibility studies for renewable energy on our land and buildings.
- Review existing and further commission a feasibility study to assess opportunities for renewable energy scheme across Council owned assets
Key Highlights
Progress is planned in advance of the end of March deadline through either commissioning a feasibility report or by utilising resources from within the Assets Team to deliver the same – to be confirmed.
Key risks / issues
None identified
Looking ahead to the next six months
Review options arising from feasibility study
Overall rating - GREEN - On Track
AM 1.3 Explore renewable energy opportunities across the District
Not due to commence until 2022/23
Action AM 1.4 - Deliver funding for community projects
- Launch Crowdfund for Climate Projects
- Member Locality Fund promoted to residents
Key Highlights
We have launched our Climate Change and Biodiversity Action Fund on Crowdfunder and a revised funding model has been agreed by the Councils Executive which will result in a two phase direct grant scheme which will seek projects to deliver specific outcomes, the first fund will be related to community engagement. So far, £4800 has been pledged through Crowdfunder and £21,986 has been committed through the members Climate Change and Biodiversity Locality Fund to help towards realising £120,000 worth of community projects.
Key Risks / Issues
Devon County Council have advised that they are likely to withdraw from Crowdfunding from April. This means we may need to source an alternative platform for provision of the Crowdfund climate fund. Work is in progress and will mean that the scheme can continue relatively unaffected from a customer perspective.
Looking ahead to the next six months
- Explore options for continuing to deliver a Crowdfund platform.
- Publishing the new direct grant scheme in February which will seek applicants to provide community engagement activity, £50,000 will be on offer.
Overall Rating - AMBER
Due to unforeseen possibility that Crowdfund platform will become expensive to run if DCC pull out.
Action AM 1.5 - Adopting an electric vehicle (EV)Strategy
- 9 more EV installations in Public Car Parks
Key Highlights
During this period we have signed the Initial lease signed for Electric Vehicle charging bays for Mayors Avenue car park in Dartmouth
Key Risks/Issues
- Delays with WPD for cabling works
- Delay in installation of charging equipment.
Looking ahead to the next 6 months
- Western Power Distribution (WPD) works to be scheduled
- Further 8 leases to be signed ready for installation
- Procurement to take place for ORCS funding bid (4 car parks)
Overall Rating - GREEN - on Track
Action AM 1.6 - A 10% increase in biodiversity on Council Land
- Commence review of Ground Maintenance specification with Lead Member and consult residents on proposals
Key Highlights
During Summer 2021, the Council undertook a public consultation on the principle of managing Council owned land to increase biodiversity and wildlife value across the District.
The public engaged positively with the consultation resulting in over 1,000 responses, with over 700 respondents adding further comments or ideas. Over 97% of responses were in favour of the general principle of improving biodiversity and wildlife value. Furthermore over 90% were in favour of relaxing of cutting regimes, leaving areas of long grass on verges and peripheries of parks and enabling new areas of wildflower planting. The full report to Executive on the consultation response can be seen here
Following the consultation, officers are now reviewing Council-owned green spaces (namely ‘grass’ sites) District-wide to compile a proposed Grounds Maintenance map layer. This will reflect how the aspirations could translate on a site by site basis.
Key Risks/Issues
It will be important that the Council takes steps to manage the public expectations but also ensure a robust communications plan to avoid the perception that Council land is being neglected.
Equally important is ensuring that a well-planned and delivered period of adjustment for the Grounds Maintenance operatives and managers exists. This will allow them to become accustomed to delivering the new site maintenance and habitat creation schedule.
Looking ahead to the next six months
- Undertake mapping of proposed sites and embed on the Council’s interactive mapping as a layer. This will firstly be shared with SHDC Members and then Town and Parish Councils for review and comment.
- Detailed proposals, equipment specification, revenues and capital expenditure to deliver the biodiversity gain will be considered by Executive on 27 January 2022
Overall Rating - GREEN
On track
This update was considered by the South Hams District Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting on 20 January 2022.
You can watch the meeting on our YouTube Channel
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