North West Climate Change Skills Fund
November 2010 – Issue 1
Dear Colleague
Welcome to the November newsletter from the North West Climate Change Skills Fund, which is the first in a series providing information on events and support provided by the North West Improvement and Efficiency Partnership on planning for carbon reduction and climate change.
As the programme is now under way we are pleased to announce that a number of free events and support have already been confirmed including:
- TCPA Half-Day Adaptation Seminar
- POS Shared Learning Group
- PAS Member Leadership in Spatial Planning for Climate Change
- Sub-Regional Innovation
About the Fund
As you may be aware CLG have committed £1 million extra funding to the North West to further support planning for carbon reduction and climate change, through to the end of June 2011. The existing Climate Change Local Area Support Programme (visit: is being expanded to provide a range of services for planning authorities, planning officers, members and also for communities who wish to engage in the planning process.
£500,000 of funding will be administered through the five sub-regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships and proposals have been developed to address the specific needs of each sub-region. The remainder will be used to provide North West wide support, training and advice on planning for climate change.
We will be sending out further news and support offers in due course and if you would like to receive or have colleagues who you think would be interested in receiving this information then please forward your contact details to .
TCPA Adaptation Half-Day Seminar
The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) are providing a free half day seminar ‘The Climate Change Adaptation Challenge’ on Tuesday 14 December 2010 10am – 1pm at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington. This seminar is designed for local authority officers and members who are tasked with facing the climate change adaptation challenge through the planning system, regeneration or community development.
The centrepiece of the session will be a lively debate where participants can put questions directly to a panel of practitioners drawn from the TCPA, the Environment Agency, the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
Contact Michael McLean on 0207 930 8903 or book a place.
POS Shared Learning Group
16 local planning authority representatives are being offered the opportunity to attend a fully subsidised climate change supported learning group provided by POS Enterprises. Three meetings will take place between December and June 2011 and authorities have already been approached for expressions of interest with places confirmed shortly. If you have not heard about this opportunity and would like to know more contact
PAS Leadership in Spatial Planning for Climate Change
Senior elected members are being offered the opportunity to attend a fully subsidised programme provided by the Planning Advisory Service that will help deliver strategic priorities when planning for climate change and low carbon futures.
The event is taking place in Manchester on 11 to 12 January 2011 and will be of particular relevance to portfolio holders whose brief includes planning, environment, sustainability and regeneration. There will be a mix of guest speakers, shared experiences from peer councillors, discussion, networking, and stimulating activities.
Further details are available on
Please circulate these to your relevant members and contact Edward Bailey Team Administrator - Planning Advisory Service telephone on 0207 296 6204 by 12 November 2010 to express an interest.
Sub-Regional Innovation Fund
A total of £500k of funding has now been issued to the five sub-regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships for a number of innovative proposals that meet the specific needs of each of the sub-regions. Each of the proposals have been prepared in accordance with defined criteria and range from providing:
Low carbon and energy capacity building within both Greater Manchester and Merseyside;
Support for community renewable energy schemes in Cheshire;
Renewable energy capacity study and renewable energy training in Lancashire; and
Renewable energy support, low carbon transport and tourism studies in Cumbria.
More details on the proposals will be provided in due course.
Technical Support
Invitations to tender have been issued to provide specialist technical support on:
Practice-based technical training sessions and resources, including follow-up forum, exchange hub and independent coaching service.
Assistance to local authorities with identifying, accessing, setting up and promoting new green financial mechanisms and assistance schemes.
The deadline for receipt of tenders is 19 November 2010 and it is envisaged that the successful consultants will start to deliver the technical support in January 2011.
For more information visit:
New Online Toolkit
A new online toolkit has been launched by RegenSW to help Local Authority planners better understand low carbon planning policy. The toolkit is specifically designed to guide forward planners, development management staff and elected Members through the multitude of often confusing messages about planning for renewable energy and climate change. Designed with input from planners in the South West the toolkit will be equally helpful for users from elsewhere in the UK. Access to the toolkit is free for all local authorities, at
Envirolink Planning For Renewables Newsletter
Packed with information, resources, tools, news and events
We hope you found this newsletter useful. If you did, please forward it on to colleagues. If you did not please tell us how we can make it better. Further editions will be sent at approximately monthly intervals informing you of various North West Climate Change Skills Fund events and opportunities. If you wish to unsubscribe you can use the link below.
Best Wishes
North West Climate Change Skills Fund