ITEM CA8 CABINET– 17 APRIL 2007 DRAFT FUTURE FIRST ACTION PLAN 2007-08 AND STRATEGY & IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE LOCAL AUTHORITY CARBON MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME Report by Head of Sustainable Development Introduction 1. The Cabinet agreed the Future First Action Plan 2006/07 in April 2006, with the recommendation that a progress report and action plan for the following year would be submitted in 2007. In addition, the Cabinet is required separately to sign off the Carbon Management Strategy and Implementation Plan. The Carbon Management Plan is the product of the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme, a central element of the Future First Action Plan 2006/07. Delivery of the Carbon Management Plan will now be the focus for Future First in 2007/08. 2.
This report provides a
review of progress in 2006/07. A summary of the Future First Action Plan
is attached at Annex 1 and the priorities and actions for the Plan are
attached at Annex 2. These priorities will ensure the delivery of targets
outlined in the Carbon Management Strategy and Implementation Plan and
other Future First objectives. In order to save unnecessary printing a
copy of the Carbon Management Strategy and Implementation Plan will be
available in the Members Resource Centre or on request from Future First
(email: future.first@oxfordshire.gov.uk) Future First 3. Future First is a project that was set up in 2004/05 following the recommendations of the Audit Commission and the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee report ‘Future First’. The aim of Future First is to consider the impact of the Council’s own activities on the environment – our direct environmental footprint, and to identify savings in the use of natural resources. In addition to wider environmental benefits, the importance of increased operational efficiency and financial savings that can result from environmental good practice has been recognised, highlighting Future First’s contribution to achieving the Council’s priorities: real choice, lower taxes and value for money. 4. Future First is run by a cross-directorate Programme Board chaired by Richard Dudding and includes the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development and a representative from the Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Anne Purse. The Board draws up annual Action Plans to outline Future First objectives and activities for the coming year. Progress with the plan is monitored every six months. The Board is currently supported by the Environment Programme Manager and the Sustainable Schools Officer. Progress on the Future First Action Plan 2006-07 5. The Future First Annual Report 2006/07 shows that Future First has made significant strides in 2006/07 in developing strategic direction and evolving effective tools and levers to enable action in the future. Successes 6. The main success in 2006/07 has been the completion of the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme. This is a 10-month programme run in partnership with the Carbon Trust through which they offer consultant support and toolkits to help the Council measure its carbon footprint and identify ways to reduce it. Through this Programme we have a better understanding of not only our carbon emissions and resource use, but also our internal processes. This has allowed us to set targets for carbon reduction and develop a realistic plan for delivery. 7. There has been success in achieving other strategic actions such as the development of new Building Environmental Standards, progress with the facilities management review and, most notably, improving communications with staff and Members. Issues 8. The focus on developing the corporate tools and infrastructure to deliver environmental projects and measurable improvements has meant that some projects in the plan outside this scope have not been completed. Whilst there is no immediate concern, it has raised the question as to whether the Future First Board is the most effective group to deliver distinct projects. The Board’s strength, demonstrated in 2006/07, is in developing the shape and culture of the organisation to enable projects to be delivered in the future. It is proposed that the Future First Programme Board concentrates its efforts in this area in 2007/08. Future First Action Plan 2007-08 9. The Future First Action Plan 2007/08 will focus on the delivery of the Carbon Management Strategy and Implementation Plan, following the Council’s agreement that tackling climate change will be a Corporate Priority. Carbon Management Target 10. It is proposed that the Cabinet agree to a target of reducing the Council’s carbon emissions by 18% between 2005/06 and 2011/12. This target is based on the carbon emission reductions expected from a series of projects planned for implementation over the next five years, as detailed in the Carbon Management Plan. Governance 11. The Future First Programme Board will provide the overall governance structure for the delivery of the Action Plan, including the target for carbon reduction. All carbon reduction activities planned for 2007/08 detailed in the Carbon Management Plan will appear in the Future First Action Plan 2007/08. Because of the need for focused delivery, a programme board will be tasked by Future First with the delivery of the carbon projects. 12. The Carbon Management Programme Board will be chaired by Neil Monaghan, Head of Property, and will comprise officers involved with property management, street lighting, waste, fleet management, schools and finance. The Board will be supported by the Carbon Programme Manager. Other Future First objectives 13. The Future First Action Plan 2007/08 will include actions beyond the scope of the Carbon Management Plan. These actions will relate predominantly to: · reducing water consumption; · addressing the environmental footprint of our consultants and contractors; and, · developing the strategic direction of the Future First project. Monitoring 14. The Carbon Management Programme Board will report to the Future First Programme Board and the Capital Steering Group every six months, and report to Cabinet annually. 15. The Future First Board will report to Cabinet bi-annually: once in April 2007 with a report on progress on the Action Plan and once in the Autumn with a monitoring report on overall resource reduction targets. Financial and Staff Implications Finance 16. Cabinet have agreed a capital budget for implementation of carbon reduction projects. This consists of £250,000 to match fund the external Salix grant and £200,000 for carbon reduction projects that sit outside of the scope defined by Salix. Other funds such as Prudential Energy and street lighting capital budget will also be used. 17. Enabling and embedding projects and other projects not related to carbon management will be funded from within specific directorates and supported by a small Future First budget identified from funds within the Environment and Economy Directorate. 18. There are no further financial requirements identified for project implementation in 2007/08. Staff implications 19. Two temporary additional posts are required for the successful implementation of the carbon management plan: a projects officer within the Future First team, and an Energy Management Officer within Property Services. These posts will provide support in critical areas of project delivery that are currently under-resourced. Funding for these posts has been identified within the Environment and Economy budget through the use of carry forwards and no request is being made for additional resources. RECOMMENDATION 20. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the draft Future First Action Plan 2007/08 and the Carbon Management Strategy and Implementation Plan. CHRIS COUSINS Background Papers: May 2004 – Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee Review “Future First”. Contact Officer: Nita Robertson, Environment Programme Manager, Tel: (01865) 81 0421 April 2007
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