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Report of Acting Deputy Chief Executive – Transformation and Operations Author: Michelle Wells E-mail: michelle.wells@southandvale.gov.uk Cabinet member responsible: Andrea Powell E-mail: andrea.powell@southoxon.gov.uk To: Climate Emergency Advisory Committee DATE: 08 June 2020 |
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1. This report provides an update on the Climate Emergency Work Programme since the most recent Climate Emergency Advisory Committee meeting on 28 January 2020.
2. Work is currently being undertaken to develop the Corporate Plan 2020-2024 and update priorities, which provides an opportunity to embed climate emergency related goals. Climate change and the environment are already emerging as strong priorities in the initial draft for the Corporate Plan 2020-24, however this has currently been delayed due to Covid-19. It is still considered appropriate to continue to progress the Climate Emergency Year One Work Programme, as a sensible response to the emerging priorities in the Corporate Plan 2020-2024, acknowledging some projects may be delayed, re-focused or re-prioritised.
3. The most recent meeting of the South Oxfordshire Climate Emergency Advisory Committee (CEAC) took place on 28 January 2020. The agenda for the CEAC meeting on 28 January included the proposed Climate Emergency Year One Work Programme for recommendation to Cabinet.
4. At their January meeting, South Cabinet approved the year one work programme and additional budget request proposed by the CEAC. The programme will begin to tackle climate change and provide a strong foundation towards the adopted carbon neutral targets. The programme included an additional budget request of £106,262.63 for 20/21 to support delivery and to resource the programme with a Climate Change Lead.
5. The subsequent Climate Emergency Advisory Committee (CEAC) scheduled for 18 March 2020 was cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Since 23 March 2020, a number of council staff have taken up volunteer roles within the Covid-19 Community Hub for South Oxfordshire District Council including key officers who were previously focussed on the creation of the Climate Emergency Year One Work Programme. This has led to limited resource and capacity across the whole council to further this area of work.
7. National statistics and reports have shown that the Covid-19 lockdown has subsequently cut carbon emissions across the UK. Officers will continue to monitor this and work closely with partner organisations to harness this trend and review the opportunities to boost low-carbon businesses through the development of economic recovery plans. The council will also seek opportunities to support safe walking and cycling and improve air quality; walking and cycling are forms of transport which have been further encouraged by the Government as part of their Covid-19 response. These issues are likely to impact on the work programme set out below.
8. Updates on projects in the Climate Emergency Work Programme are given below
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Project
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Progress |
Budget |
Original Proposed Timeline (March 2020) |
Status |
Items postponed from March Climate Emergency Advisory Committee
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1 |
Define the scope of carbon emissions across the District to be included in the Climate Emergency target. Establish a baseline of district wide energy consumption and CO2e emissions |
Aether have completed a report reviewing the potential scope of emissions to be included within our district wide target. Aether’s methodology and recommendations are summarised in a presentation, which was due to be presented to the CEAC on 18 March. The presentation also includes draft baseline data based upon the recommended scope. The scope of emissions requires input from the CEAC, and this piece of work is still outstanding however forms part of the agenda for the virtual South CEAC meeting on 08 June 2020.
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2019/20 budget |
March/ April 2020 |
In progress |
2 |
Creation of a vision for a future low carbon South Oxfordshire |
On 4 March, a CEAC Task and Finish Group meeting was held to draft a South Oxfordshire Climate Emergency Vision based on Bioregional’s One Planet principles. The draft Vision was due to be reviewed and ratified at the CEAC meeting on 18 March, so this piece of work is still outstanding. In the meantime, Bioregional have commenced the process of mapping the South Climate Emergency Work Programme onto the Vision and carrying out a gap analysis. |
2019/20 budget |
March/April 2020 |
Paused |
Completed reports
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3 |
South Oxfordshire Greenhouse Gas Emissions report 2018/19 |
The Greenhouse Gas Emissions report for South Oxfordshire District Council 2018/19 has been completed and uploaded onto the council’s website. This report would normally be published in August each year. This is the first year that the Insight and Policy Service have taken over responsibility for this work, and it has taken more time than usual to finalise and check data and review the report.
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Existing resources |
n/a |
Completed |
4 |
Baseline review of council energy consumption and CO2e emissions |
Concept Energy have completed a review of the council’s Carbon Footprint Data Collection Processes and submitted a report. The main conclusion is that our system of compiling energy data is unfortunately not sufficiently robust now we are looking to increase and enhance the monitoring of this data in light of the Climate Emergency.
A key issue to be addressed is the establishment of an audit trail, especially when we are receiving data from contractors, when meter readings are taken and when units are converted. Insight and Policy will prepare an action plan to take this forward. |
2019/20 budget |
March/April 2020 |
In progress |
5 |
Heating options appraisal for Faringdon Leisure Centre |
This is a Vale of White Horse District Council project but could be of interest to South Oxfordshire in line with our intention to identify opportunities for renewable energy in council buildings. The gas boilers in the Faringdon Leisure Centre dry side are in urgent need of replacement, hence this project has been initiated in advance of the main review of the council estate.
A report has been received from Concept Energy and is currently being reviewed by the Leisure Team.
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Vale project |
April 2020 |
In progress |
New Projects
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6 |
Oxfordshire Tree Mapping project |
The council will be participating in a project to produce a tree-planting opportunities map for the County. The ‘Tree Opportunity Map’ will show where tree cover might be increased, assessing a range of current land uses and habitats such as existing woodland, arable and pastureland or parks and golf courses. This map can then be used as a basis for the formation of public policy and strategy, and to guide individual plantings. In order to ensure that the recommendations of the map are as widely adopted as possible, a wide range of groups will be engaged in its formation.
The Tree Mapping project is led by a management group including Oxfordshire County Council, the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE), Nicholson’s Foresters, Oxford University Environmental Change Institute and Oxford Friends of the Earth and is also supported by Cherwell and Oxford City Councils. |
£1,000 |
Project due to commence June 2020 and be completed by December 2020
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In progress, (however timescale may be impacted by Covid-19 response) |
7 |
Identify opportunities to invest in solar energy off site |
This project will review opportunities to invest in solar energy offsite in Oxfordshire and produce a business case. The aim of this work would be to generate renewable electricity that could then be matched to the council’s electricity demand through a commercial Power Purchase Agreement, reducing our carbon emissions. This is also a revenue generation opportunity for the council.
The project specification has been finalised and reviewed by the Procurement and Legal teams. A quotation to deliver this work has been received from the Low Carbon Hub. We aim to complete project sign off as soon as possible. Timescale of sign-off is dependent on key officer capacity and pending advice from Legal on the appropriate level of authorised sign-off. |
£2,500 |
April/May 2020 |
In progress |
8 |
Oxfordshire Greentech |
The council wishes to enter into a contract to become a member of Oxfordshire Greentech, Oxfordshire’s network for low carbon and cleantech companies, to develop a comprehensive support package for growing the low carbon economy in South Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Greentech is the only local business network of its nature therefore we are seeking an exemption from the council’s procurement rules as a Specialist Contract. The necessary paperwork has been approved by the council’s Procurement Officer and is currently under review by the Legal Team. The membership of Oxfordshire Greentech would be led by the Economic Development Team. |
£2,500 |
April/May 2020 |
Paused (Economic development team fully committed with Covid-19 business support activities) |
9 |
Staff intranet page on the Climate Emergency
General public information on the Climate Emergency including retrofitting for residents
Policy and Strategy review and workshop |
Quotations for these pieces of work have been received from Bioregional and are to be delivered as part of the One Planet Oxfordshire project, using match funding from the KR Foundation. The KR Foundation is a not for profit grant giving body that awards grants to address the root causes of climate change and environmental degradation
As these projects have attracted 50 per cent match funding, we are seeking an exemption from the council’s procurement rules as a Specialist Contract. The necessary paperwork is being completed |
£375
£1,000
£1,200 |
May/June 2020 |
In progress |
Ongoing projects
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10 |
Grounds Maintenance and Public Toilet Cleaning services |
Feedback has been provided to the Technical Services Team relating to the potential insourcing of these services.
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Existing resources |
Ongoing |
In progress |
11 |
Crowmarsh offices |
The council is engaging with the Greater South East Energy Hub (GSEEH) to review the plans for the new council offices and identify any funding opportunities. GSEEH and the Public Sector Energy Efficiency team within the Government department BEIS are also keen to promote this as a Flagship Public Sector Estate Project, including to other countries as part of COP 20, the United Nations Climate Change Conference. |
Existing resources |
Ongoing |
In progress |
12 |
Oxfordshire Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy |
The Oxfordshire Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy Project Board met on 2 April 2020 and agreed the project Scope and Vision document, and Governance and Terms of Reference.
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Existing resources |
Ongoing |
In progress |
13 |
Park and Charge |
This project aims to ensure that those people who live in houses with no access to off street parking have access to electric vehicle charging points. Hubs are being established within suitable car parks, both owned by the district council and by other organisations. The Technical Services Team have identified a number of our car parks suitable for this project. A pilot car park in Cherwell district will test out the Oxfordshire-wide project. Installation of this pilot is planned for July 2020. Once a short evaluation has been undertaken, car parks through the district will have EV chargers installed over the next nine to 12 months. |
Innovate UK funding |
Ongoing |
In progress
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14 |
Planning Design Guide |
This project is being led by the Specialist Planning team; a GW1 form for the project has been submitted to SMT and approved, a GW2 form will be submitted mid-June. It is anticipated that this project will have an 18-month timeline, with delivery of the project being in September 2021. It is suggested that a CEAC Task and Finish Group session is held to support the establishment of the guide’s principles in respect of addressing the climate emergency, before a draft of the guide is reviewed at a future CEAC meeting. Further, Planning Policy have produced two documents that outline current planning policies that seek to address climate change, and these are being reviewed by Specialist Officers within the planning team and Heather Saunders in order to identify where the gaps may be. |
Existing resources |
Ongoing |
In progress |
Communications and Engagement
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15 |
Engagement with residents, parish councils and community groups
Support town councils in delivering Climate Emergency plans and projects
Residents’ survey on climate change
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In January we wrote to parish councils and community groups informing them of our Climate Emergency work and invited them to respond with any suggestions on how we can work together to help tackle climate change. We also approached residents as part of the Turn It Off campaign flier sent out with the annual council tax. Twenty-three responses have so far been received. As the information for residents accompanied the Turn It Off campaign, there was a focus on transport related themes in the responses, including requests for more electric vehicle charge points and safe cycle lanes. Another key theme was the request for solar panels on all new buildings, as well as heat pumps where appropriate. |
Existing resources
2019/20 budget
Existing resources (scoping of survey options) |
Review March/April 2020 |
Paused – Towns, Parishes and community groups directly supporting Covid-19 efforts |
Consultations
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16 |
Oxfordshire Pension Fund Consultation on Investment Strategy Statement |
Councillors were invited to a Climate Change Policy Workshop held by the Oxfordshire Pension Fund back in November 2019. Oxfordshire County Council have now commenced a consultation on the Oxfordshire Pension Fund Investment Strategy Statement including Climate Change Policy. On 8 April this consultation was circulated to councillors for their comments and responses were due by Friday 15 May 2020. |
Existing resources |
Initiated externally |
In progress |
Further work
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17 |
Recruit Climate Change Lead |
The 2020/21 budget for the Climate Emergency includes the provision of a Climate Change Lead post for 12 months, shared jointly with the Vale of White Horse. A job evaluation has been requested for this post. |
£31,798 |
March 2020 |
Ongoing (Job evaluation required before being advertised) |
18 |
Launch work programme |
Internal ‘low key’ launch of year one work programme through a workshop/session with internal stakeholders |
Existing resources |
April 2020 |
Paused |
19 |
Electric pool vehicles for staff business travel. Initial pilot for testing and evaluation |
A Gateway 1 form will be drafted to initiate this project |
£5,000 |
Initiation (GW1) April 2020 Delivery March 2021 |
Initiation scheduled to start Q1, year 2020/21 |
20 |
Low carbon council estate work package including energy saving opportunities and renewable energy in council buildings |
An Invitation to Quote and project specification will be drafted to initiate this project |
£7,880 |
Procurement initiation April/May 2020 |
Scheduled to start Q1 |
21 |
Council reports |
Council reporting and decision-making templates to include climate and biodiversity impacts section |
Existing resources |
April 2020 |
Paused -Democratic Services directly supporting establishing virtual meeting protocols |
22 |
Biodiversity theme projects |
Specialist Planning Officer to provide project plan |
£22,000 + Existing resources
|
Initiation April 2020 Delivery March 2021 |
Paused |
23 |
Business breakfast event |
An event to support and inspire local business to act in respect of the climate emergency; a project plan will be drafted by the Economic Development Team |
£2,000 |
April/May 2020 |
Paused |
24 |
Conference |
Full day conference for officers and members on the subject of climate change; a CEAC task and finish group was held 17 January 2020 to discuss the desired outcomes for the event and capture speaker/subject ideas from South and Vale CEAC members |
2019/20 budget |
June 2020 |
Paused |
25 |
Green travel plan |
Implement a green travel plan for officers and members (support established from Milton Park Sustainable Travel Advisor) |
Cost not yet available but expected within existing resources |
Initiation June 2020 Draft Plan Sept |
Paused |
26 |
Electric vehicles for council fleet |
Project plan will be drafted in line with carbon neutral target (2025) |
Cost not yet available |
Initiation June 2020 Delivery Feb 2021 |
Paused |
27 |
South grants programme |
Refocus of the grants programme to support community led initiatives which address climate change and review the previous year’s scheme with a case study impact report on the addition of energy points |
Existing resources |
July 2020 |
Paused |
28 |
Officer training |
Training for officers on South Oxfordshire’s target and work to address the climate emergency |
2019/20 budget |
Initiation August 2020 Delivery October 2020 |
Scheduled Q2 |
29 |
Cosy Homes (Oxfordshire retrofitting scheme) |
Officers to review the scheme and assess referral confidence prior to promotion of the Cosy Homes |
Existing resources |
September 2020 |
Scheduled Q2 |
30 |
Single use plastic
Plant based diets |
‘Single-use plastic free’ pledge and action plan
Promotion of low carbon (plant based) diets within council facilities and buildings, and action plan |
£2,250
£2,250 |
One project in October 2020 and one in January 2021 |
Scheduled Q3 and Q4 |
31 |
Town-based energy data |
Provision of summary data on energy use for towns in the district, including maps |
£3,340 |
October/ November 2020 |
Scheduled Q3 |
32 |
District wide emissions model |
Development of a model to estimate how future district-wide carbon emissions will reduce on implementation of range of projects, demonstrating how South Oxfordshire can move towards the adopted district-wide target |
£12,500 |
Review October 2020 |
Scheduled Q3 |
33 |
Electric vehicle hire facility |
Feasibility study |
Not yet available |
November 2020 |
Scheduled Q3 |
34 |
Enforcement officer |
Enforcement of minimum energy standards for private rented homes |
£30,000 |
To be confirmed by Private Sector Housing |
Paused |
This report gives an overview of key activities that have been progressed, and those that have been paused largely due to the Councils’ essential refocus on the Covid-19 response, since the most recent Climate Emergency Advisory Committee meeting on 28 January 2020.