Agree a programme and confirm contributions

As with any Council plan or strategy, a Climate Change Action Plan will only be effectively developed if sufficient planning and resources are committed to the task. We recommend that the team first:-

1. Agrees a programme and timetable for preparing the action plan

2. Confirms input from council departments and possibly partners

Programme and timetable

Draw up a programme of key stages in the development of the action plan. The programme can be based on our recommended steps under each of the 5 key stages, as described in this website. It should:

• State who will do what at each stage and the level of input necessary from team members and others
• When and how you will consult on the proposals
  • Will you consult on the vision and strategy or just the draft action plan?
  • Which stakeholders will you consult and how?
  • Will you consult the local community and if so how?
• Include a timetable for completing each stage, this may include timings to fit in with meetings of the council?s executive cabinet and corporate management team
• Include any costs, e.g. for obtaining data or purchasing specialist advice or surveys

A presentation and briefing on preparing a climate change action plan, which could be used for the initial team meeting, are available for download below. They can be adapted to suit your circumstances.

Confirm contributions

It is important that senior officers approve the time and effort that will be required by individuals in the team. This might be achieved by asking the corporate management team and / or LSP Board to approve the programme and timetable.

If the team wish to purchase data, specialist advice or surveys, then it will be necessary to establish a budget and confirm which departments or partners will contribute.

Resources

1. Powerpoint presentation on preparing a climate change action plan

2. Briefing on preparing a climate change action plan

Case studies

1. The Carbon Trust's Local Authority Carbon Management Toolkit has examples of project plans from Medway Council and Milton Keynes Council. Look under Deliverables in the Toolkit.