September newsletter from CLASP

The CLASP September newsletter contains brief updates on:

NI 186 - New Data Released by DECC

CLASP Fund for local action launches

NI 185 - Energy Procurement and CRC Materials

NI 188 - Projections 09 Training Courses

CLASP Events

Partners' news, including vacancy at 4NW

We are pleased to tell you that CLASP has recently had its funding confirmed through to March 2011 by the North West Improvement and Efficiency Partnership and the programme is now hosted by Liverpool City Council.

Over the next 18 months we will be providing a mix of the established advice, support and event services, with a more locally driven programme directed and shaped by you. The first step in this is the launch of the Local Partnerships Small Projects Fund which you can read more about below.

NI 186 - New Data Released

DECC has just published the latest NI 186 data which covers 2007 and includes improvements and updates to the original statistics for 2005 and 2006, enabling comparisons to be made across the three year period. 

In some cases, the revisions to the 2005 and 2006 data have resulted in significant changes to per capita emissions, but explanations are set out in the accompanying reports on the methodology. Such baseline changes should not affect the scale of negotiated percentage LAA targets, and GONW is happy to take any queries. Please contact Paul.Stowers@gonw.gsi.gov.uk

CLASP Launches Local Partnerships Fund

You should have received a mailing about the new CLASP fund. If not: Local Authorities and LA led partnerships can now apply to for grants to support discrete, small, short-timescale projects that will tackle critical and immediate barriers to improvement on NI 185, 186 and 188.

All projects supported should be replicable across the North West, and a key aim of the fund is to generate and share good practice through the CLASP network.

To find out more about the scheme, its key criteria and dates for application deadlines please visit the CLASP website.

NI 185 - Energy Procurement and CRC Materials

Earlier this month NWIEP and the Office of Government Commerce ran two free workshops, the materials for which are now online:

Energy Procurement in a Volatile Market
What you need to know about the energy markets - How to manage risk more effectively - How to provide greater budget certainty - How to secure the best deal for your organization - How to reduce costs and save money with sustainability initiatives and AMR

The Carbon Reduction Commitment - Be Prepared!
Policy, practical implementation and their impacts on local authorities - Recording emissions and tracking performance - Getting the message across to schools, chief officers, and members - Engaging schools and other stakeholders - Managing recycling payments and recharging - Understanding the finance issues.

Remember, as CLASP members you also have access to the new LA specific CRC Toolkit..

NI 188 - Projections in Practice Training

Mon 5th, Tues 6th & Wed 7th October Preston

The Projections in Practice (PiP) programme is a series of free events aimed at equipping delegates with the right training and guidance to be able to use the UK Climate Projections to assess the risks and opportunities the changing climate could bring for their organisations.

There are just 10 places remaining of the 40 CLASP sponsored places. These are for Local Authority officers who would benefit from hands-on training on the user interface.
If you were sent an invitation and have not yet booked please do so now.
Booking is essential.

Other CLASP Events

Tues 22nd September 10am Your Desk
TrACE Demonstration

The Energy Saving Trust has just launched TrACE (Tracking Action on Carbon Emissions) - a spreadsheet based application which enables councils to catalogue and account for activity across the whole LAA. Lance Saxby, LA Manager of the Energy Savings Trust, will be leading a conference call walk-through the TrACE spreadsheet and taking questions.

Thanks to those who have booked. If you have not yet booked and would like the dial-in details and weblink please email ailsa@clasp-nw.info today.

30th September Full Day Warrington
Changing Climates - The Future of the NW's Transport Network and Travel Planning

This event is now fully booked (80 places) and a waiting list is running. If you have booked to attend and now can't please let alec.curley@4nw.org.uk know. All the materials will be made available on the CLASP website with links in the next newsletter.

Partners' News

4NW
4NW has a vacancy for a Sustainable Development Policy Manager (focusing on climate change and waste) based in Wigan. This post includes a part-time secondment to the NW Climate Change Unit at NWDA.
*Note closing date is this Friday, 25th September*

Fylde Low Waste and Energy Partnership
Greening the Victorian House Seminar
Mon 19th October 12:30 to 16:30 Lytham St Annes
Exploring ways that energy can be saved in older homes while retaining their architectural features. To find out more details, travel information and to book to attend please contact FLoWE on 01253 658 527 or FLoWE@fylde.gov.uk by 12th October.

Energy Saving Trust
Extra Funding for the Low Carbon building Programme
In the budget 2009 it was announced that an additional £45m would be made available through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. We are pleased to hear that the Energy Saving Trust will be administering the £10m allocated to the householder stream of the programme having won a competitive tender process. For more information please call 0800 915 0990 or email info@lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk