Qu.1/. Does the council have a climate adaptation strategy?
Yes
o If yes, is this rolled into the mitigation/Net Zero strategy or is it set out in the form of a separate/stand-alone document?
Yes
o Please provide link to the document.
Climate Change Strategy – Energy and Climate Change
Qu.2/. Has the council conducted a climate risk assessment?
o If yes, please provide link to the document
Yes. We led the preparation of the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Adaptation Strategy. This includes a risk register. Adaptation Strategy – Devon Climate Emergency
We have prepared Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments for our Highways and Public Health services. These are attached to this information request.
o If yes, was it produced using the Local Partnerships Risk Areas Matrix?
No
o What sectors does the climate risk assessment cover?
Public buildings
Residential buildings
New developments
Schools
Care homes
Roads and other transport infrastructure
Communication networks – telecom and ITC
Energy infrastructure
Local businesses
Other – please specify
All
Qu. 3/. Has the council also produced a local climate adaptation action plan with associated timeframe for implementing and reviewing the strategy?
o If yes, please provide link to the document
Yes, actions are in the Strategy. See Question 1.
Qu.4/. What measures has the council put in place to withstand the climate impacts (e.g. severe heat, flooding, coastal erosion) experienced or predicted for your area? For example, by implementing:
o Measures to alleviate flood risks and manage flooding
o Measures to increase resilience of new building developments to climate impacts
o Measures to reduce excess heat in new residential buildings
o Measures to address overheating in schools, hospitals, care homes and other public buildings
o Places for the public to gather in the event of a major climate disaster
o Blue and green spaces
o Strategies to manage climate-induced health problems
o Improvements to make transport infrastructure more resilient
o Nature based solutions, such a tree planting or creating wetlands
o Coastal defences
o SuDS (sustainable drainage systems)
o Water efficiency measures
o Ways of working with farmers to increase resilience of the food system and align adaptation objectives
o Measures to enhance community engagement
o Are there other key measures that you have taken? Please give details.
Documented information is available in the Strategy linked to above, which contains links to further documents, such as the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and Action Plan.
Qu.5/. Does the council have access to all the necessary information, technical advice and support to deliver on adaptation planning and implementation?
Yes, via partnership working.
Qu. 6/. Has the council identified funding gaps hindering its ability to implement adaptation action planning?
o Which aspects would be priorities for additional funding?
Yes.
Additional resource to assess the resilience of council services and to prepare adaptation actions with them has been identified as a need.
The Investment and Funding section of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy identifies how available funding will be spent and how opportunities for additional funding will be sought.
Qu. 7/. Has the council identified shortfalls in its capacity, skills and experience to deliver required adaptation actions?
o If yes, what is needed?
Yes, in capacity. Additional resource to assess the resilience of council services and to prepare adaptation actions with them has been identified as a need.
Qu.8/. Is the Council aware of, and does it have the capacity to draw in, external funds for climate adaptation measures? e.g.
o Combined Authority funding
o Parish Council funding for small scale schemes – water butts, tree planting
o Business contributions through Partnership Funding
o Community Infrastructure Levy
o Partnerships with third sector organisations such as Woodland Trust.
Yes, the council is aware of these opportunities. Capacity is targeted to opportunities that will have best effect.
Qu.9/. Did the council submit a report to ARP4?
No.
Qu.10/. Has the council supported the call, as articulated by the LGA, for local authorities to be given statutory duties and powers, sufficient funding and robust support to lead on climate action including adaptation?
No. The current administration took office after the LGA’s consultation.