Local authority one-to-one support

Local authorities play a key role in tackling climate change and the Local Government Performance Framework places councils at the forefront of reducing the UK's contribution to climate change.

The One-to-one support programme aims to help local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to reduce area-wide carbon emissions and demonstrate local leadership in addressing climate change. It is currently helping over 130 local authorities and will assist more in the future.

The programme takes place over two years to develop, implement and review a climate change action plan. The free service will help you:

• Tackle climate change and reduce your authority area's carbon emissions
• Review existing activities and benchmark performance against other councils
• Have access to an expert consultant who will help you motivate individuals and build commitment throughout the organisation
• Understand and act upon climate change indicators within the new local government performance framework
• Demonstrate your leadership to the local community
• Develop a long term relationship with your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre to tackle climate change together

Councils are assessed annually through Comprehensive Area Assessment, which includes 14 indicators under the heading of environmental sustainability, including:

• Per capita reduction in carbon dioxide emissions in the local authority area.
• Carbon dioxide reductions from local authority operations.
• Tackling fuel poverty.

These indicators make the mitigation of climate change one of the key responsibilities for local authorities. Our intensive one-to-one support programme will provide crucial support in helping you deliver on Local Area Agreement carbon reduction targets. It will also help you perform better in the Comprehensive Area Assessment by showing concrete evidence to the Audit Commission of your council's commitment to tackling climate change.

Case studies of some of the local authorities that have participated in the programme are available;

New case studies for 2009

2008 Case studies

How to apply
You can apply to the programme at any time of year but if all places are filled your application will be deferred to the wating list. The deadlines for applications for 2010/11 are being currently being set and will be announced shortly.

The programme also runs in Wales. Please contact our Welsh team on 02920 468 340 for further details.

Here you can download:

One-to-one support programme application form

One-to-one support programme guidance notes

For more information please email us or call on 0844 84 888 30.