Telephone: 0141 618 5967 Fax: 0141 618 7060 E-mail: carol.macdonald@renfrewshire.gsx.gov.uk My Ref: CMacD/GR Contact: Carol MacDonald Date: 9th December 2013 MEMBERS OF THE GREENER RENFREWSHIRE THEMATIC BOARD Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the GREENER RENFREWSHIRE THEMATIC BOARD will be held at STRATHCLYDE PARTNERSHIP FOR TRANSPORT, CONSORT HOUSE, 12 WEST GEORGE STREET, GLASGOW, G2 1HN on WEDNESDAY 18TH DECEMBER, 2013 at 10.00am. The Agenda of business is attached. Kenneth Graham Head of Legal & Democratic Services Enc.

Finance & Corporate Services Director: Sandra Black CPFA

Head of Legal & Democratic Services: Kenneth Graham LLB dip L.P. Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley PA1 1TR

www.renfrewshire.gov.uk

RENFREWSHIRE COMMUNITY PLAN PARTNERSHIP

GREENER RENFREWSHIRE BOARD

Councillors E Devine and Audrey Doig, O Reid, Lead Officer and Chief Executive’s Service Manager, S MacDougall, Director of Environmental Services; R Steenson, Head of Operations (Environmental Services); J Lynch, Head of Property, C Thorpe, Corporate Asset/Energy Manager, B Spence, Housing Investment Manager and S McMillan, Policy & Regeneration Manager (all Housing & Property Services); C Roxburgh, West of Scotland University; J Still, Renfrewshire Community Health Partnership; J Binning, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport; A Fraser, Linstone Housing Association; M MacLaren, Scottish Water; S Roberts, Keep Scotland Beautiful; A Speirs, Police Scotland; P Nelis, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service; K Boag, SEPA; C Devine, Zero Waste Scotland; J Wilby, Forum for Empowering Communities; I Cunningham, Engage; and K Sinclair, Glasgow Airport.

1. WELCOME 2. APOLOGIES 3. MINUTE OF THE MEETING HELD ON 2nd OCTOBER, 2013 Submit minute of the meeting held on 2nd October, 2013 for approval. (Copy herewith, pages 1 - 5) 4. ROLLING ACTION LOG Submit Rolling Action Log by Clerk. (copy herewith, page 6 - 7) 5. SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY Presentation by Hania Smith, Community Litter Officer and Jennifer Terris, Schools Education Litter Officer, Falkirk Council on Clean Up Scotland Campaign, Orphan Land Projects and Clean Zones.

6. YOUNG REPORTERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Submit report by Chief Executive’s relative to the Young Reporters for the Environment Programme, its components and local opportunities. (Copy herewith, pages 8 - 9) 7. ENVIRONMENTAL FUNDING Submit report by Chief Executive’s relative to funding sources available for organisations, individuals and community groups who are engaged in or are thinking about getting involved in environmental projects. (Copy herewith, pages 10 - 15)

8. RENFREWSHIRE PROJECTS FUNDED BY CLIMATE CHALLENGE FUND Submit report by Chief Executive’s relative to an overview of Renfrewshire projects awarded Climate Challenge Fund grants. (Copy herewith, pages 16 - 17) 9. SPOTLIGHT ON TRANSPORT Presentation by John Binning, SPT relative to the Transport Agenda, the opportunities and the relationship to the Greener Renfrewshire Thematic Board Action Plan. 10. TRANSPORT SCOTLAND CHARGING POINTS INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING Submit report by Chief Executive relative to development of high powered interoperable network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure facilities across the whole of Scotland. (Copy herewith, pages 18 - 19)

11. FEEDBACK FROM GREENER RENFREWSHIRE COMMUNITY PLANNING CONFERENCE

Submit report by Stuart Graham, Engage Renfrewshire on feedback from the Community Planning Conference (Copy herewith, pages 20 - 24) 12. OVERVIEW OF INITIATIVES AND GOOD PRACTICE EXAMPLES Submit report by Chief Executive (Copy herewith, pages 25 - 30).

RENFREWSHIRE COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP

MINUTE OF THE MEETING OF GREENER RENFREWSHIRE THEMATIC BOARD

HELD ON 2nd OCTOBER, 2013

PRESENT

Councillor E Devine; O Reid, Lead Officer and Chief Executive’s Service Manager; S MacDougall, Director of Community Resources; R Steenson, Head of Operations, C Thorpe, Corporate Asset/Energy Manager and S Marklow, Assistant Manager (Policy) (all Renfrewshire Council); C Gemmell, LEAP (representing Engage); A Fraser, FLAIR; S Roberts (Keep Scotland Beautiful); and J Binning, Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive

Councillor E Devine, presided.

IN ATTENDANCE

C MacDonald, Senior Committee Services Officer (Community Planning, Renfrewshire Council); and K Leask and G Tarvit (both Keep Scotland Beautiful)

APOLOGY

J Lynch, Head of Property Services; B Spence, Housing Investment Manager; and S McMillan, Policy & Regeneration Manager (all Renfrewshire Council); D Sandford, Scottish Environment Protection Agency; J Still, Renfrewshire Community Health Partnership; C Roxburgh, UWS; C Devine, Zero Waste; A Speirs (Police Service of Scotland); M McLaren (Scottish Water); K Sinclair (Glasgow Airport); and P Nelis (Scottish Fire & Rescue Service).

INTIMATION

The meeting was opened by George Tarvit, Sustainability and Climate Change Manager, Keep Scotland Beautiful, who welcomed everyone to Stirling and provided background information about the organization.

1. MINUTE OF MEETING OF 23rd AUGUST, 2013

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Greener Renfrewshire Thematic Board held on 23rd August, 2013.

DECIDED: That the minute be approved. Noted

2. ROLLING ACTION LOG

The Rolling Action Log was submitted for approval.

DECIDED: That the Rolling Action Log be noted. Noted

AGENDA ITEM NO. 31 of 30

3. THE BREATH OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

A powerpoint presentation was given by K Leask outlining the opportunities and initiatives available to enable learning facilities to make an effective contribution to reducing Scotland’s global footprint. The presentation also informed on policy and practice and highlighted the need to raise awareness and change behaviour.

Discussion took place on the Young Reporters for the Environment initiative. It was noted that this programme was developed to encourage young people, aged 11-21 to investigate environmental issues/problems and report on them through written, photographic or video journalism, wherever possible proposing solutions.

DECIDED: That the Lead Officer investigate and develop a series of actions to encourage and promote the Young Reporters for the Environment initiative.

Lead Officer

4. COMMUNITY ACTIVITY FOR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND AWARENESS

A powerpoint presentation was given by S Roberts on environmental quality and the various schemes/initiatives currently ongoing within Renfrewshire.

Discussion took place on the Clean Up Scotland Campaign which aimed to remove litter and mess by 2014. It was noted that only 1.6% of the Renfrewshire population had backed the campaign and the Board agreed to look at measures to increase this figure.

S Roberts advised the Board of the various community campaigns that Renfrewshire residents could become involved in and the funding that was available. The Community Asset Transfer Policy was discussed and it was agreed that the Lead Officer, in conjunction with Housing & Property Services and Community Resources investigate the possibility of merging the Council’s StreetScene database with Housing’s derelict land database and the Community Asset database as this would widen out the areas that would be available/suitable for adoption.

It was noted that Falkirk Council’s Litter Strategy Team collected an award for their Orphan Land and Clean Zone Projects and it was agreed that further information would be obtained on this project for the next meeting.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Lead Officer investigate and develop a series of actions to maximize the number of signatories within Renfrewshire who were signing the Clean Up Scotland pledge;

(b) That the Lead Officer, in conjunction with Housing & Property Services and Community Resources investigate the possibility of merging the Council’s StreetScene database with Housing’s derelict land database and the Community Asset database; and

(c) That a synopsis of information relating to Falkirk Council’s Orphan Land and Clean Zone Projects be submitted to the next meeting of this Board.

Lead Officer

Lead Officer/S MacDougall/S Marklow

Lead Officer

2 of 30

5. COMMUNITY CAPACITY FOR FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

A powerpoint presentation was given by G Tarvit on the current level of engagement within Renfrewshire in applying for support/funding and ways where further assistance could be developed.

The Board heard that nine projects within Renfrewshire had been awarded Climate Challenge Funding grants which totalled over £996,700. It was agreed that the 9 projects would be further investigated in order to develop a baseline of information on successful community projects.

Discussion took place on funding available to community groups and it was agreed that this would be further investigated.

DECIDED:

(a) That baseline information be obtained in relation to the nine projects awarded Climate Challenge Funding and a report be submitted to the next meeting of this Board; and

(b) That funding opportunities be investigated and reported to a future meeting.

Lead Officer

Lead Officer

6. ACTION PLAN DEVELOPMENT – PROPOSED STRUCTURE

There was submitted a report by the Lead Officer relative to further development work on the action plan.

It was highlighted that following analysis of the actions arising from the workshop session it was proposed to restructure the action plan into four working groups, namely Carbon Management and Waste Reduction, Greener Housing, Greener Transport and Greener Communities. Each of these strategic areas would be used as a focus for the meetings, allowing additional participants to be identified where necessary and ensuring that all of the impact measures and outcomes that were agreed would be delivered.

Discussion took place to identify key officers for each of the Working Groups and it was agreed that the following Board members would be assigned to develop the strategy and the action plan:-

• Carbon Management & Waste Reduction – Craig Thorpe/KarenAnderson

• Greener Housing – Adele Fraser & Brian Spence

• Greener Transport – John Binning & Scott Allan/David Burnie/StuartMcMillan

The Lead Officer intimated that the Greener Communities Working Group should be driven forward by the third sector and as such it was agreed that this would be discussed with Engage to obtain a nomination from Renfrewshire Forum for Empowering Communities to take forward this strategy.

3 of 30

The Lead Officer intimated that each Working group would have the freedom to invite any groups/individuals to assist them in the development of the actions. DECIDED: (a) That the allocation of Key Officers to the Carbon Management/Waste

Reduction, Greener Housing and Transport Strategies be noted; (b) That the Lead Officer to meet with each of the Key Officers to discuss

taking the action plan forward; and (c) That the Lead Officer to meet with Engage to discuss nomination of a

Renfrewshire Forum Member to act as the Key person to take forward the Communities Strategy.

Noted Lead Officer Lead Officer

7.

DEVELOPMENT OF CARBON MANAGEMENT AND WASTE REDUCTION STRATEGY C Thorpe advised the Board that the current Carbon Management Plan would expire next March and a revised plan was currently being developed which would be in place by March 2014. He intimated that the existing scope was being widened to include:-

• The minimization and recycling of internal waste • The new waste regulations and carbon metric • Sustain procurement • The global depletion of key materials; and • The concept of circular economy

It was noted that Resource Efficient Scotland had agreed to support Local Authorities in the formation of their Carbon Management plans by developing light touch guidance and by delivering three regional carbon management workshops. It was agreed that the workshop dates would be circulated to members. DECIDED: (a) That the information be noted; and (b) That the workshop dates be circulated to members of the Board

Noted Clerk

8.

INTRODUCTORY PRESENTATION BY MEMBER OF THE BOARD A Fraser gave a verbal presentation which detailed an overview of Linstone Housing Association and her role within FLAIR. DECIDED: That the presentation be noted.

Noted

4 of 30

9. OVERVIEW OF INITIATIVES AND GOOD PRACTICE EXAMPLES

There was submitted a report by the Lead Officer which provided an overview of recent developments, initiatives and funding streams made available to Community Planning Partnerships in Scotland.

DECIDED: That the report be noted. Noted

5 of 30

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RENFREWSHIRE COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP

TO: Greener Renfrewshire Thematic Board

ON: 18th December 2013

Report by

Chief Executive

YOUNG REPORTERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

1. Programme and its components

1.1 At the last meeting the Board heard about the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programme. This international programme, launched in August 2013 in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful, is aimed at young people aged between 11 and 21. Young reporters whose school or college applies to be part of the programme will be encouraged to investigate environmental issues, propose solutions and then publish a report which may be in traditional print, photographic or video journalism. YRE is an excellent way for young people to develop academic skills and knowledge as well as citizenship and social skills. The programme elements are:

• Core national competition (print, photographic and video entries also eligible forthe Youth Discussion and winners enter the international competition)

• Continuity reporting (eco-themed regular blogs and community reporting)• Skills development (master classes in radio, film, digital and print media)• Cultural engagement (eco-genre writing competition)

1.2 Schools and colleges can register their interest in any of these elements by e-mail at: yre@keepscotlandbeautiful.org

1.3 The programme is linked closely to Eco-Schools and will complement the already strong Eco-Schools activities. It provides various opportunities to network nationally and internationally and a platform to highlight environmental issues for engaged young people in schools, colleges and universities which participate in the programme.

2. Recommendations

2.1 It is suggested that the Greener Renfrewshire Board promote this opportunity and seek to use the reports developed by young reporters to guide their work and identify further opportunities. This could be done in the following ways:

- Promoting the programme, encouraging eligible establishments to sign up and monitoring the numbers and percentage which have done so.

- Monitoring the numbers of reports generated and publicising them in Renfrewshire Magazine, on the Community Planning website and through social media.

- Acting as a platform for helping young reporters to achieve their ambitions – inviting them to present their findings and make sure their solutions and proposals are discussed by the relevant strategy group or at the Greener Board.

- Recognising the best Young Reporter submissions with an award and in exceptional cases encouraging those education establishments which are taking part in the programme via award nominations as part of the Provost Community Awards taking place each year in February. The Provost Community Awards’ format and categories

AGENDA ITEM NO. 68 of 30

have been reviewed recently and will now consist of four categories: Employer of the Year, Sporting Achievement, Community Volunteer and Community Group (this category may provide an opportunity for wider recognition for the education establishments taking part in the programme).

3. Background

3.1 The aim of Keep Scotland Beautiful is to encourage Eco-Schools and other establishments in Renfrewshire to participate in the YRE programme. There are three key elements young people will be asked to incorporate in their work:

Investigate

Young reporters must choose a local environmental problem or issue. As with any journalist, a number of steps should be taken to validate the problem, including investigating the issue, establishing the contrary perspectives, researching the evidence and identifying its various implications. Furthermore, a link should be made between this local environmental problem and a global environmental programme.

Propose solutions

The second phase is to propose solutions to the identified problem. This should include an evaluation of the solution’s likely effectiveness and should also be balanced, highlighting the pros and cons. Ultimately, there must be a justification for the proposed solution.

Report

The final phase is to report the issue and proposed solution. The young reporter is expected to consider carefully his/her audience and use the appropriate communications medium to reach them. Thereafter, they must decide how and in which format to report the issue, before creating their print, photographic or video journalism. The final step is to disseminate their work through the most appropriate means.

3.2 The Greener Renfrewshire Board should become a platform for young reporters to present their findings and make sure their solutions are discussed by one of the four strategy working groups.

3.3 The Chief Exec’s Communications Team has already been working on developing further opportunities for young reporters by printing their articles in Renfrewshire Magazine or publicising their findings on the council and other Board members’ websites and social media.

Kasia Owczarek Renfrewshire Council Chief Executive’s Service

9 of 30

RENFREWSHIRE COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP

TO: Greener Renfrewshire Thematic Board

ON: 18th December 2013

Report by

Chief Executive

ENVIRONMENTAL AND HERITAGE FUNDING

There are a number of environmental and heritage funding sources available for local authorities, community planning partnerships, individuals and community groups who are engaged in or want to become involved in environmental or heritage projects. This paper’s intention is facilitate a discussion around maximising grant uptake in Renfrewshire, especially for projects achieving Greener Action Plan targets.

It is recommended that each strategy’s working group identifies funding most appropriate for their work programme and resources needed to pursue grants currently available, whether as a local authority or in partnership with other public sector organisation, community group or third sector organisation. Although the list below is not exhaustive but it outlines the most popular funding streams and most likely to utilised by the Greener Renfrewshire’s Action Plan and future developments:

Climate Challenge Fund

The Climate Challenge Fund is designed to enable communities to come forward with their own solutions to make a significant reduction in carbon emissions. Climate Challenge Fund is managed on behalf of the Scottish Government by an independent Scottish charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful which have announced recently that the CCF has been extended until March 2016.

Projects can involve a range of actions from helping communities to use less energy, walk and cycle more, to local sustainable food production. They can also have an environmental, social and economic dimension to the projects, that give people new skills, improve health, help them to work together or provide better community facilities, but carbon reduction must be at the heart of every proposal and the community at the centre of the decision making.

Climate Challenge Fund – Ideas Bank

Keep Scotland Beautiful invites a wide variety of proposing organisations like local authorities, national charities, community groups and private organisations already taking action on climate change, to submit project ideas to the CCF Ideas Bank.

Ideas that are eligible will be made available online for community groups to prepare an application to the CCF in partnership with the proposing organisation.

The community group will be able to pay their partner up to 49% of the CCF grant they are awarded for their services.

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Community and Renewable Energy Scheme

The Communities And Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) is the Scottish Government's initiative for supporting community renewable installations. It provides a network of development officers who can provide free, independent advice and site visits as well as grants for technical studies and installation of equipment. CARES is managed on behalf of the Scottish Government by an independent Scottish charity, Community Energy Scotland. More information (or call 01349 860120).

Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP)

LEADER is part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP), aimed at promoting economic and community development within rural areas. Support will be aimed primarily at small-scale, community driven projects that are pilot and innovative in nature.

Rural Development Contracts - Rural Priorities is an integrated funding mechanism which will deliver targeted environmental, social and economic benefits. It will contribute to delivery of the Scottish Government's strategic objectives through Regional Priorities, agreed with stakeholders for each of the 11 SRDP regions. It is a competitive mechanism to ensure that contracts are awarded for the proposals which are best able to deliver these priorities. Individuals, businesses and properly constituted groups can apply.

The current LEADER Programme is nearing the end of its running period. The Renfrewshire LEADER budget is almost fully committed with the last round of applications being held later this month (date still to be confirmed). We are currently in the process of making a joint bid with East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde for the 2014-2020 LEADER programme but have yet to be informed of what the strategic themes and priorities will be. A joint development strategy is expected to be in place by summer 2014 (information provided by Karen Ferguson, 0141 618 7853).

Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund 2014-15

The Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund is one source of funding to support the development and implementation of projects delivering the priorities of improving the quality and connectivity of the green network. Funds are provided by Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.

There is a further allocation of funding for the CSGN Development Fund in 2014/15. The funding is only available to applicants that have previously received funding from the CSGN Development Fund. We believe that focusing support on projects that are already delivering or have delivered against the CSGN vision will help us maximise the impact of this additional funding, given that funding is only available for one financial year. The funding is to enable previous recipients to either:

• Extend the activity that was previously funded; or • Replicate the activity that was previously funded in another (eligible) location; or • Deliver a follow-on phase of the project that was previously funded (for example,

implementing improvements identified in a masterplan or feasibility study).

So far the CSGN funded the following Renfrewshire projects: Weaver’s Linn Garden Project and Auchelodment Primary School (information provided by Dr Kate Cuthbert, 0141 618 7840). For further details see Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund .

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Community Cycling Innovation Fund

The aim of the Community Cycling Innovation Fund is to increase the wellbeing of communities across Scotland, enabling more people to have more opportunities to cycle and use cycles to achieve local outcomes. Cycling Scotland's immediate aim is to provide grants for a small number of schemes that demonstrate innovative ways of using cycling and will serve as examples of good practice that can be followed by future projects and can be shared across the whole sector. For more information, please go to: Community Cycling Innovation Fund

Sustrans The Community Links Programme is one of Sustrans Scotland’s grant schemes and provides funding for the creation of cycling network infrastructure for everyday journeys.It is a key element in Sustrans Scotland’s commitment to meeting the target of the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS) of 10% of trips by bike by 2020.

The Community Links application process for 2013/14 has now closed. If you are a local authority or statutory body representative, and would like an application form or application information for future years, please contact the Community Links team in Edinburgh on 0131 346 9774 or email community.links@sustrans.org.uk

Transport Minister Keith Brown has announced additional £20m to enhance the Community Links programme run by Sustrans Scotland, which is open to bids from all local authorities across the country for infrastructure projects to promote cycling and walking in 2014/15. Only Local Authorities and Statutory Bodies can apply directly to Sustrans for funding. Community Groups should liaise with their Local Authority who can apply on their behalf.

So far Sustrans funded the following Renfrewshire projects: Brookfield Cycle Link, South Paisley Strategic Link and Elderslie Gap Design Study (information provided by Dr Kate Cuthbert, 0141 618 7840).

For more information, please go to: http://www.sustrans.org.uk/scotland/what-we-do/communities/community-links

Zero Waste Scotland

Zero Waste Scotland has launched two new funding schemes for local authorities, third sector organisations and businesses that encourage more recycling and cut down on food waste.

The Local Recycling Communications Fund is for local authorities in Scotland, and is designed to help support them with communications activities to engage communities, raise awareness of recycling services and motivate behaviour change in order to increase the quantity and quality of recycled materials collected. Local authorities looking to undertake new communications and engagement initiatives will be able to apply to the fund until the end of December this year.

For more information see here: http://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/content/local-recycling-communications-fund

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Energy Saving Scotland

The Scottish Government has extended a grant scheme to local authorities and housing associations to help more people get energy efficiency upgrades to their homes.

The Green Homes Cashback scheme, managed by the Energy Saving Trust, was launched in November 2012 to give householders cash back towards the cost of measures to make their homes more energy efficient. Householders looking to apply for the cashback should contact the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland hotline on 0808 808 2282.

Now, one year on, Scotland’s 32 local authorities and 246 registered social landlords (RSLs) can also apply for a grant of up to £1m for homes under their care. Their bid can also include improvements to private housing. The money must be put towards making energy saving upgrades such as installing insulation and new boilers.

Up to £1200 is available per home, so local authorities and housing associations could help more than 800 of their tenants save money on their fuel bills this winter while enhancing the value of their housing stock.

Around 600,000 homes across Scotland are owned and managed by local authorities and registered social landlords, with more than half being council houses. A social housing provider can range from a local authority with 38,000 houses to a small housing association with fewer than 50.

Upgrades funded under the scheme include: insulation; a new boiler; glazing; fitting low energy lighting and new heating controls. The money is available on a first come first served basis and all installations must be completed by 31 March 2014.

More information is available at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/socialhousing

Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)

Funding received from Scottish Government to restore the condition of Scotland's water environment will be used by SEPA to support partnership projects with third parties. To find out more, please go to: Water Environment Restoration Fund

Heritage Lottery Fund

Sharing Heritage To help people across the UK explore, conserve and share all aspects of the history and character of their local area. Grants between £3,000 and £10,000 will be available to groups who want to discover their local heritage. Projects are expected to cover a wide spectrum of subject matter but could include identifying and recording local wildlife and protecting the surrounding environment, conserving sites or items of local significance, managing and training volunteers, and holding festivals and events to commemorate the past.

Our Heritage The Our Heritage programme supports all types of heritage projects. For example, smaller parks and green spaces, community buildings, museum collections and archives as well as activity projects exploring languages, cultures and memories.

So far HLF funded the following Renfrewshire projects: Semple Trail, Grand Fountain and Gleniffer Braes Cattle Project (information provided by Dr Kate Cuthbert, 0141 618 7840).

To find out more, please go to: http://www.hlf.org.uk/HowToApply/programmes/Summaryofprogrammes2013/Pages/Openprogrammes.aspx

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Big Lottery Fund

Awards for All It funds projects that will achieve one or more of the following outcomes:

- people have better chances in life - communities are safer, stronger and more able to work together to tackle inequalities - people have better and more sustainable services and environments

people and communities are healthier.

So far HLF funded the following Renfrewshire projects: Outdoor Learning at Lochfield and Auchenlodment Primary School (information provided by Dr Kate Cuthbert, 0141 618 7840).

Investing in Communities: Growing Community Assets It is designed to support communities to take more control and influence over their own future through ownership of assets. These are usually physical assets, such as land, buildings or equipment, but may also include other types of asset such as energy.

Rethinking Parks Rethinking Parks is a joint initiative between Big Lottery Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and Nesta. Pioneers of 21st Century parks are being asked to come forward and rethink the use and financial sustainability of the UK’s public parks. Through this new £1m programme, Nesta, Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund will support the most innovative and promising new business models for public parks.

Scottish Land Fund The Scottish Land Fund will support rural communities to become more resilient and sustainable through the ownership and management of land and land assets. It will provide practical support and funding to enable local people to work together to develop their ideas and aspirations and plan and complete viable land and land assets acquisition projects. It is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the Big Lottery Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

To find out more, please go to: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/funding/funding-finder?cpage=0&

Scottish Government's Commonwealth Games Legacy 2014 programme

Active Places Fund The £10 million Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund, part of the Scottish Government's Commonwealth Games Legacy 2014 programme, will give communities across Scotland more and better places to be active. Grants between £10,000 and £100,000 are now available to help build or upgrade local facilities such as new bike or skate parks, outdoor adventure facilities, walking routes, or new projects within school estates.

Sport Scotland Celebrate Fund Sport Scotland has announced a new £4 million fund to support people to celebrate their part in the Commonwealth before, during, and after the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Lottery funding of up to £10,000 is available to arts, heritage, sports and community groups to hold one off events. These can range from holding a Reggae Burns Night or a Come and Try Sports Open Day. As long it’s linked to the Commonwealth Games and people can get involved. The funding us available to community and voluntary groups as well as statutory bodies such as a school, local authority or health board. Applications must be submitted at least three months before the start date of the planned activity.

Further information, contact the Legacy 2014 inbox: legacy2014@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

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Energy Company Obligation (ECO)

ECO requires the six major utility companies to reduce carbon emissions by ‘buying carbon’. In effect this means carrying out energy efficiency projects which reduce fossil fuel consumption.ECO in its current form runs to April 2015, when all qualifying projects must be concluded, although it is likely to be fully subscribed well in advance of this, as utlity companies will be subject to penalties if they do not deliver the required carbon savings. The programme is administered by OFGEM.

Revised qualification arrangements for future ECO projects were announced on 4 December as part of the autumn statement. These will be subject to consultation before confirmation. The impact on future projects for Renfrewshire will be assessed once the final details are confirmed (information provided by Scott Allan, 0141 618 7932).

Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland: Area Based Schemes

The Scottish Government introduced the £60M HEEPS:ABS programme in April 2013 primarily to support owner participation in energy related projects on social rented stock in common blocks, which also qualify for ECO support. A total of £2.3M has been secured for 2013/2014 for Renfrewshire projects coordinated by the Council and Linstone Housing Association primarily in relation to external wall insulation. The allocations are made utilising a combination of identified need and a bidding element. The allocation process for 2014/2015 will begin shortly and is open to all registered social landlords with suitale qualifying projects that can demonstrate leverage of ECO (information provided by Scott Allan, 0141 618 7932).

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RENFREWSHIRE COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP

TO: Greener Renfrewshire Thematic Board

ON: 18th December 2013

Report by

Chief Executive

RENFREWSHIRE PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE CLIMATE CHALLENGE FUND

1. Summary

1.1 This document provides an overview of Renfrewshire projects awarded Climate Challenge Fund grants and is for information of Board members.

2. Renfrewshire projects

2.1 Lochwinnoch Millennium Events Group – total awarded: £647,410

Energy Audit Project aims to help the community of Lochwinnoch achieve a low carbon lifestyle by raising awareness of climate change and carbon emissions from domestic energy consumption using energy audits, advice on energy saving measures and renewable energy, and the provision of low cost insulation. The project also aims to measure and reduce the carbon footprint of the village with an eventual aim of becoming carbon neutral.

LEAP (Local Energy Action Plan) project will enable householders in Lochwinnoch and 3 neighbouring villages to reduce energy wasted in their homes. The project will develop car clubs and lift sharing schemes, expand local food producing initiatives and provide greater access to climate change information through local schools and other organisations working with children and young people in these local communities.

2.2 Students' Association of the University of the West of Scotland – total awarded: £295,754

Transition UWS aims to deliver exciting new projects to initiate further reductions in the university communities’ personal environmental impact and help some of the most economical disadvantaged students in Scotland save some cash. This will be achieved through a programme of Carbon Conversation and Your Money, Your Planet courses, as well as a range of activities to encourage sustainable cooking.

Climate Change and Sustainability project aims to encourage University of the West of Scotland students, staff and wider community to embed carbon reduction into their everyday lives though the provision of a range of activities that will be attractive to the community. Activities will include reducing energy use in halls of residence and bringing communities together to reduce carbon emissions through food growing and active travel initiatives. The project will also provide work experience opportunities for students, increasing their employability.

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The Sutherland Street Growing Grounds project, in the West End of Paisley, converting wasteland into community allotments will give the chance to grow community’s own fruit and vegetables.

The project was spearheaded by Paisley West and Central Community Council with support from the West End Allotment Association, Renfrewshire Council, environmental group Carts Greenspace and Linstone Housing Association.

The site was meant to be for housing, but due to the market being pretty dead, the community council asked about setting up temporary allotments. Carts Greenspace has worked with another group which had similar ideas. They came up with the option of having moveable, raised beds and this fitted in with the Climate Change Challenge Fund requirements.

The council has pledged £6,500 in kind to the project, which involves creating 15 garden plots each with five raised beds for growing, and there is already a waiting list.

2.4 Kibble Education and Care Centre – total awarded: £30,538

The Kibble Community Garden forms part of Kibble's employment and training programme, offering employment opportunities to disadvantaged 18-24 year olds from the Renfrewshire and the surrounding areas.

The creation of the garden began in September 2010 on Kibble's main campus site in Paisley. It makes use of a previously under-utilised part of the site and has space to grow and develop. The vast majority of the garden's construction work has been done by young people employed through the KibbleWorks youth employment scheme and to date, seven young people have worked here on both 6 and 3 month placements.

2.3 Paisley West and Central Community Council – total awarded: £21,087

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RENFREWSHIRE COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP

TO: Greener Renfrewshire Thematic Board

ON: 18th December 2013

Report by

Chief Executive

TRANSPORT SCOTLAND – CHARGING POINTS INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

1. Introduction

1.1 Transport Scotland is setting out to develop a high powered interoperable network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure facilities across the whole of Scotland. Renfrewshire has received funding for a further 3 charging points to be installed. Once put in place, the locations will be publicised on the Community Planning and Council website, social media and in Renfrewshire Magazine.

2. Background

2.1 This year the focus of the project is on Scotland’s 7 cities, primary roads between major centres of population and 11 medium centres of population which will all receive funding this financial year including: Angus, Dumfries and Galloway, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, Falkirk, Moray, Renfrewshire, Scottish Borders, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian and Highland.

Within each CPP funding will be provided as follows:

1 x rapid triple 50 kW charger at £40k 1 x fast 22 kW charger at £15k 1 x medium 7 kW charger at £5k

TOTAL per CPP £60k

2.2 Transport Scotland stipulated in the grant offer letter to Renfrewshire that the rapid triple charger should be located at Paisley on the A726. The fast and medium charger locations are all at the discretion of each CPP but are expected to take into account the triple rapid charger location, the partners’ property estate and the need to achieve maximum benefit for the electric vehicle customers and the partnership in promoting usage.

2.3 On this basis the following Renfrewshire locations have been identified in the grant acceptance:

1. Renfrewshire Council HQ in Paisley - rapid triple 50 kW charger2. Johnstone Town Hall - fast 22 kW charger3. McKillop Centre in Lochwinnoch - medium 7 kW charger

2.4 Renfrew Town Hall has been identified as an extra location for another fast charger in the event that additional Transport Scotland funding becomes available.

2.5 Following Transport Scotland’s approval of the above locations, site surveys will take place in order to carry out the procurement exercise and appoint the supplier.

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3. Milestones

3.1 Each CPP is required to comply with the following project milestones:

September – October 2013 Establish locations/start site surveys October 2013 Procurement of charging infrastructure November 2013 Procurement concludes/supplier appointed December 2013 DNO and supplier mobilisation January/February 2014 Installations carried out 31 March 2014 Works completed and commissioned on site 16 April 2014 Invoices/certificates submitted to Transport

Scotland

4. Renfrewshire Context and Next Steps:

4.1 There is a growing network of electric vehicles and charging points in Renfrewshire purchased mostly with the use of external funding by public sector and third sector organisations. Currently these include:

- Renfrewshire Council: 4 electric vehicles and 6 charging points - Linstone Housing Association: 1 electric vehicle - Lochwinnoch Car Club: 1 electric vehicle

4.2 There is a growing number of public organisations and individuals investing in electric vehicles. There are additional chargers at the West College, Phoenix Cars at Linwood, Ikea and Braehead and Clyde Muirshiel country park among others. It is suggested that the Greener Transport sub group continue to work on and publicise the numbers and locations of charging points as well as the numbers of electric vehicles in partner fleets. The objective set by Transport Scotland is to develop a network of chargers no more than 50 miles apart across Scotland.

Kasia Owczarek Renfrewshire Council Chief Executive’s Service

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Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership

To: Greener Renfrewshire Thematic Board

On: 18th December, 2013

Report by

Stuart Graham, Empowering Communities Manager, Engage Renfrewshire

A GREENER RENFREWSHIRE – CONFERENCE, 25TH NOVEMBER 2013

1. Summary

1.1 Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership held five theme community planning conferences between 14 and 27 November 2013. The Greener Renfrewshire Conference was the fourth conference in the series and took place an Anchor Mill, Paisley on 25 November, attended by 55 people.

1.2 The event was chaired by John Wilby, Chair of Paisley Central and West End Community Council, on behalf of Renfrewshire Forum For Empowering Communities. The Chair and Lead Officer of the Greener Renfrewshire Board presented the agreed vision, outcomes, targets and actions under the Greener Renfrewshire theme.

1.3 Following an opportunity to network with other participants and view market stalls, participants discussed the seven outcomes of the Greener Renfrewshire Board and considered the following questions:

• What actions will make a difference to achieving the outcomes.• Who needs to be influenced to help achieve the outcomes.• What can participants and their organisations do to help achieve the outcomes.

1.4 There was also a presentation on the emerging Digital Strategy for Renfrewshire and an opportunity to test and influence the Renfrewshire community planning website which is currently in development.

2. Recommendation

2.1 It is recommended that the Greener Renfrewshire Board consider the views expressed at the conference on 25 November in the development of actions to achieve the agreed community plan outcomes.

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3.1 Some of the key points raised at the conference were:

1. Government carbon reduction targets will be achieved, and emissions fromtransport, fuel and waste will be minimised.

• It was acknowledged that there is a lot of good education regards the greeneragenda going on in schools and young people are more aware of the issuesthan they were previously.

• Understanding of electric cars and the network of charging points needs toreach a critical mass to make a significant difference.

• Electric cars (how they work, charging points etc) could be part of drivinglessons to ensure that people have the information to make choices thatconsider environmental impact.

• Drivers should have more awareness of efficient driving techniques.

• Consumers need to be more aware of the environmental performance ofappliances and their running cost implications (e.g. different types of TV).Better consumer awareness would help address carbon reduction and fuelpoverty issues. Manufacturers should also be influenced to reducepolystyrene packaging.

• Consistent campaigns and education around waste reduction and energyefficiency are needed. The government also needs to provide a structuredand co-ordinated approach to funding with an environmental purpose that ismade available to public sector organisations.

• New, efficient street lighting is seen as a good way to reduce emissions andwould encourage people to walk e.g. to and from school or work. Lightsshould be switched off in public buildings at night.

• Micro power generation projects, such as using the River Cart for hydropower, should be encouraged.

• Residents and businesses need to be advised about ways to reduceemissions and influenced to take action on this.

• Individual actions to save energy (e.g. rainwater saving, energy flush toiletsand systems to control domestic lights) should be publicised and encouraged.

• Smart electronic technology should be used to minimise energy use andmaximise energy saving.

• Manufacturers should be encouraged to use more recyclable material.

3. Key Points

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2. Residents of Renfrewshire will live in homes which are well insulated andefficient.

• Plain English information on grants available to householders should be madeavailable and people given the information to confirm that schemes such asboiler replacement and home insulation are genuine. Energy advice needs tobe impartial, trustworthy and co-ordinated.

• Owner occupiers could be given the opportunity to buy in to social housinghome insulation schemes.

• Talking to community groups and signposting people to fuel advice are waysto encourage people to seek help to address fuel poverty.

• Fitting of solar panels on public sector buildings and social housing should beencouraged.

• A green “showhome” in Renfrewshire, with an allotment, would helpdemonstrate the potential to reduce emissions and tackle fuel poverty. Thiswould encourage people to look at their own capacity for a greener lifestyle.

• People need to be educated about the new home energy rating standards tobe introduced by 2020.

• Food waste is a big issue – a ”leftovers cookbook” was suggested as a way tohighlight and address this issue.

• Good practice such as the LEAP model should be spread acrossRenfrewshire.

• Food retailers and government should be asked to address food advertisingand promotions that encourage over-consumption.

3. The number of households in Renfrewshire living in fuel poverty will bereduced.

• The potential contribution of District Heating schemes to reducing fuel povertywas recognised.

• Community support for people who are fuel poor was proposed.

• Advice should be available on the services operated by credit unions,particularly to those experiencing fuel poverty.

• Signposting people to community activities could be a way to encouragepeople to participate in the community but also reduce their own fuel bills.

• Simpler advice about energy supply switching would help people address fuelpoverty.

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4. The generation of waste will be minimised and all waste produced withinRenfrewshire will be subject to reuse, recycling and treatment before anyresidue is sent to landfill.

• It was recognised that participation in domestic recycling is improving,however more needs to be done to encourage recycling in public spaces.

• Compost bins should be supplied to all allotments.

• Community skips could be provided to stop fly-tipping and encourage peopleto get involved in community clean-ups.

5. Sustainable growth will be delivered by directing development to locationswhich create sustainable communities and high quality places.

• Sustainable development should be based on communities having acommunity spirit and pride in their place and its history and heritage. Thispride of place would then have an influence on community input intoappropriate and sustainable development.

• By using community benefit clauses that encourage local sub-contracting inlarge scale capital projects (e.g. Johnstone Town Hall), public investment isalso helping to sustain local businesses and employment.

• Development of empty buildings such as the Drill Hall and Fire Station inPaisley back into use should be quicker.

• New developments should be real communities, rather than just housingdevelopments and social housing should be integrated into new private sectorhousing developments.

6. Transport activities will be coordinated across Renfrewshire by public andprivate sector partners to reduce fuel use, reduce carbon impacts andimprove air quality.

• Sharing transport and co-ordinating the transport needs of activities such aswardens, community police and meals on wheels could contribute to reducingemissions.

• The use of local facilities such as schools as community hubs could reducetransport emissions by keeping services local and accessible withincommunities.

• The sharp increase in costs of using public transport for young people whenthey turn 16 is a disincentive to keep using these services. Better promotionof the Young Scot scheme, which can deliver transport discounts, wasproposed. Bus drivers and transport operators should also treat young peoplewith the same level of respect as other customers.

• Accurate timetabling and other transport information is needed to encouragepeople to use public transport regularly.

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• Transport should be co-ordinated to locations such as hospitals by apublic/private partnership.

• There needs to be a positive incentive for people to use public transport.There is a perception that it is more expensive than driving.

• Transport infrastructure can support or drive change e.g. cyclists sharingspace with pedestrians, rather than motor vehicles.

• People should be encouraged to use motor scooters, which are more fuelefficient than cars and produce fewer emissions.

• Better co-ordination of bus and train times and better facilities to transferbetween modes of transport – e.g. space for bikes on buses and betterparking at railway stations – would help improve transport co-ordination.

• Young people would be likely to use publicly –provided bikes, such as thosein London, but issues such as safety on cycle tracks and safe bike storageneed to be addressed.

• Renfrewshire Community Planning website could be used to identify demandfor transport and communicate existing transport services.

• In addition to public transport, car sharing schemes could also be promoted toreduce emissions.

• Bus quality and driver training should be improved to make public transportmore attractive.

• Development of community transport initiatives and promotion of existingservices.

• If people are to be encouraged to use public transport, they need to operatelater at night than is the case in many areas currently.

7. Our town centres will be well maintained, clean and attractive to supporttrade and increase inward investment.

• The role of wardens in maintaining cleanliness in dog fouling and litterhotspots was recognised.

• Empowering communities to create community gardens and adaption ofgreen space were suggested as ways of making public spaces attractive.Temporary greening of town centres could make a positive impact on theattractiveness of environments.

• Better use should be made of technology and media to communicate withresidents and potential tourists about improvements in town centreenvironments and events taking place.

• Empty units should be made available to community groups and other usessuch as temporary art galleries.

• Events like Mod/Spree are important in attracting more and different people totown centres.

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• Premises owners should be encouraged to have more realistic rental levels.Rates should also be realistic.

• Litter is still an issue and bins need emptied on a more regular basis.

• Events need to be well communicated, using social media to reach youngpeople especially.

• Residential and recreational uses for the town centre should be explored, witha town centre cinema supported as an idea.

4. Next Steps4.1 This initial report will be developed to provide a more full account of the discussion at

the Greener Renfrewshire Conference and will be cross-referenced with other relevant material from the other four conferences (Children and Young People; Community Care, Health and Wellbeing; Safer and Stronger; and Jobs and the Economy). Reports from the conferences will be fed back to the theme Boards and the Partnership Board to inform the further development of activity.

4.2 A “wrap-up” conference for the five events held to date will take place in January 2014 and there will be opportunities for area-based events to explore local issues and actions by March 2014.

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RENFREWSHIRE COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP

TO: Greener Renfrewshire Thematic Board

ON: 18th December 2013

Report by

Chief Executive

OVERVIEW OF INITIATIVES AND GOOD PRACTICE

1. Summary

1.1 This document provides an overview of recent developments, initiatives and funding streams made available to Community Planning Partnerships in Scotland. It takes account of the emerging work streams and actions identified by the Board.

1.2 In order to provide the Board members with support, policy advice and consistency of approach, the document explores communication received from the Scottish Government and other statutory bodies, good practice examples from other local authorities as well as national and local initiatives and projects. Where available a local view has also been provided on the topic.

1.3 A similar update will be provided for each Board to stimulate awareness and decisions about the wider Greener theme and agenda. If any Board member has any information they would like included and circulated in future issues of the update, please forward it to kasia.owczarek@renfrewshire.gov.uk

2. Good practice examples

Aberdeenshire Council

Aberdeenshire Council’s new Edenholme Care Home in Stonehaven has been awarded a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ for the design stage of the project.

BREEAM is an environmental assessment method and rating system for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation. Buildings are rated on a scale from ‘Pass’ all the way up to ‘Excellent’, meaning that the new care home has achieved the highest of the BREEAM ratings.

The care home boasts a biomass boiler that burns wood pellets to produce heat and electricity. Biomass boilers are carbon neutral and so are less damaging to the environment than conventional methods. It produces enough energy to heat both the care home and the adjoining cottages.

Solar panels have been installed on the roof of the building to augment the hot water system. The home is also built with high levels of insulation to capture the heat and natural ventilation systems have been utilised.

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Highland Council

The Highland Council’s commitment to biomass as a heat source has enabled a Lochaber-based green energy company to employ two new apprentices to help service a four-year £1.2 million per year contract with the Council.

Biomass heat specialists, HWEnergy, who are based at Torlundy, Fort William, now have an in-house team of more than 50 who install, maintain and service biomass boilers as well as supply wood chips and pellets.

By making the switch to a renewable heat source at 61 sites across the Highlands, the Council says it has demonstrated its commitment to providing a cleaner, greener energy source.

It is estimated the contract will bring savings of 40% on heating fuels and lead to costs avoided in the region of £900,000. In addition the initiative will see a combined carbon saving of 7,500 tonnes per annum, which is the equivalent to 30million car miles off the road every year.

Bristol Council

The first phase of a major programme to install solar panels on the roofs of Bristol council homes and public buildings has been given approval. This will see around £6m invested in the installation of solar panels on up to 1,000 council homes, 50 blocks of flats and 16 public and private buildings including warehouses, schools, libraries and office buildings.

According to Bristol Council, from year one, the programme will generate an annual income from the feed in tariff, which will outweigh the annual costs. It will be one of the biggest social housing photovoltaic (PV) projects since the government reduced renewable subsidy payments two years ago, and aims to save tenants money on fuel bills while cutting carbon emissions by more than 18,000 tonnes a year.

During the next four years, the programme is expected to reduce tenants' annual electricity bills by between £130 and £260 per year. It will also reduce the Council’s energy costs by generating its own electricity.

Up to 10,000 council homes in Bristol are believed to be ‘solar suitable’ and up to 300 low-rise tenement blocks and a number of ground mounted PV sites will also be included in the programme. Between 3,000 and 4,000 social housing installations may also be possible. Final numbers are will depend on tenant take up levels, the suitability of the houses, feed in tariff levels and the cost of equipment. A number of other public buildings including council, hospital, and university buildings are also under consideration.

The council will borrow money to fund the first phase of the scheme, and private firms will install the panels. The procurement process is now underway, starting with the short listing of contractors. The formal tender process will begin in January 2014 and work on individual sites is expected to begin in June 2014.

An interesting analysis of reasons why people didn’t take up a Green Deal offer for retrofitting their homes has resulted from a pilot scheme in Bristol with a focus on solid wall insulation and heating system upgrades.

The scheme, which ran between December 2012 and May 2013, achieved high levels of conversion from initial customer interest to completed improvement.

However the project also monitored the barriers and challenges that householders perceived and found that understanding the financial model was a particular challenge,

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and for those that did understand it there was suspicion that Green Deal installers were charging a premium.

A full range of barriers to progression, at different stages of the Green Deal process, are detailed in the report. You can find out about the project in general on their website.

Oxfam Humankind Index for Scotland

A new web application was launched last week to help people who come up with policy ideas, like voluntary organisations, civil servants and politicians, to decide whether the policies actually make for a better Scotland.

The app is based on Oxfam Scotland's Humankind Index for Scotland - an alternative measure of the country's wellbeing. It takes people through a step-by-step process designed to test whether new policies actually meet people's needs. The Humankind Index Policy Tool measures new policies against the top 18 priorities, selected by people in Scotland during a consultation involving nearly 3,000 people.

The charity hopes the tool will also be used by members of the public, so that people can make their own judgments about the ideas that policymakers present to them.

3. Funding streams

*Please note that a separate paper have been provided to the Board on environmentalfunding available to Local Authorities, community groups, partnerships and third sector organisations.

Green Homes Cashback Scheme

The Scottish Government has extended a grant scheme to local authorities and housing associations to help more people get energy efficiency upgrades to their homes.

The Green Homes Cashback scheme, managed by the Energy Saving Trust, was launched in November 2012 to give householders cash back towards the cost of measures to make their homes more energy efficient. Householders looking to apply for the cashback should contact the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland hotline on 0808 808 2282.

Now, one year on, Scotland’s 32 local authorities and 246 registered social landlords (RSLs) can also apply for a grant of up to £1m for homes under their care. Their bid can also include improvements to private housing. The money must be put towards making energy saving upgrades such as installing insulation and new boilers.

Up to £1200 is available per home, so local authorities and housing associations could help more than 800 of their tenants save money on their fuel bills this winter while enhancing the value of their housing stock.

Around 600,000 homes across Scotland are owned and managed by local authorities and registered social landlords, with more than half being council houses. A social housing provider can range from a local authority with 38,000 houses to a small housing association with fewer than 50.

Upgrades funded under the scheme include: insulation; a new boiler; glazing; fitting low energy lighting and new heating controls. The money is available on a first come first served basis and all installations must be completed by 31 March 2014. More information is available at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/socialhousing

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District Heating Loan Fund

Seven local communities throughout Scotland will receive a share of £1.5 million of government loans for district heating projects through the District Heating Loan Fund.

All the projects will use renewable heat generated by woodfuel or air source heat pumps. Six of the projects provide affordable warmth to social housing or private homeowners, in off-gas grid areas, delivering significant savings on energy bills:

Camaghael , Banavie, Fort William (Colin Clarke) - £145,000

Small woodfuel district heating system for 10 buildings including church manse and purpose built special needs building.

Wester Fintray, Kintore, Inverurie (John Rennie) - £60,000

Small woodfuel district heating scheme for 3 households. Wood fuel will be sourced locally from the farm estate. It is estimated that the new system will save 50% on fuel bills.

Craigie Works, Dundee (Craigie Estates) – £400,000

Medium sized air source heat pump district heating project in the Dundee waterfront area. Phase 1 is the conversion of a listed warehouse to a block of 99 flats and Phase 2 is a further 75 new build properties, to be rented at affordable levels to tenants on medium to low incomes who will be given options to purchase properties after 5 years.

Strathallan Campus (HW Energy) – £200,000

Medium sized woodfuel district heating scheme for 11 buildings on an independent school estate. HW Energy, a biomass company based in Fort William, will install the system as an Energy Services Company. Fuel savings of at least 30% are projected.

Balgray Estate, Lockerbie (Michael Paterson) – £108,000

Small woodfuel district heating scheme for 3 households. It is proposed the new system will save around 30% on energy bills.

Foulis Estate, Evanton, Ross-shire (Finnian Munro) - £189,000

Medium sized woodfuel district heating scheme for 11 buildings (including 10 households and grain dryer). Excess heat from the system will be used to dry 600 tonnes of malting barley (it is estimated that the new system will save 38% on fuel bills).

Pulteneytown, Wick, Caithness (Ignis Wick Ltd) - £400,000

Second District Heating Loan Fund application for expansion and upgrade to the existing 3.5 MW biomass steam district heating scheme. 196 domestic customers, a local distillery, a care home and the local assembly rooms are already connected. The extension will connect a further 200 households and a local hotel.

4. Research and consultations

Low Carbon Behaviours Report

The Low Carbon Behaviours - Key Data for Scotland report (view report) provides trend data, where available, for the Scottish Government's 10 key climate change behaviour areas. The key areas span home energy, personal transport, food and consumption. Findings include:

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The key behaviour indicator for home energy –the percentage of people whomonitor their energy use (very or fairly closely) –has increased by 3% pointssince 2008 to 47% in 2011.

Progress has been made on the uptake of one-off behaviours such as installingmore energy efficient boilers and loft and cavity wall insulation. This has beenhelped by government support through programmes such as CERT, boilerscrappage scheme, Universal Home Insulation Scheme and Energy AssistancePackage. Future support will provided as part of Home Energy EfficiencyProgrammes for Scotland.

Heating management behaviours are generally proving more resistant to change.

The use of energy efficient light bulbs shows a positive shift, however there is alack of trend data for Scotland on saving electricity behaviours.

The key low carbon behaviour indicator for transport –the percentage of journeysto work made by public transport or active travel –has remained unchanged ataround 30% since 1999

More positively, in terms of driving more efficiently, there is a clear trend towardsthe purchase of fuel efficient vehicles, whilst the purchase of alternatively fuelledvehicles is increasing, albeit from a very low base.

The number of domestic air passengers has decreased since 2006, although thisis likely to be due to factors other than positive behaviour change, such as theeconomic slowdown

The key behaviour indicator shows little change so far in people’s foodconsumption behaviours

There is limited trend data on food behaviours (eg waste). The data that since2011 shows little change so far in people’s behaviours

The trend data for the key behaviour indicator for consumption shows that thevolume of municipal solid waste collected by local authorities is declining.

For more information about the report, please contact Kasia Owczarek, Chief Executive’s Service (7405)

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