Climate adaptation strategy

The recent letter from the Climate Change Committee to Minister Hardy in a response to a request for advice on strengthening the UK's adaptation objectives has once again emphasised the importance of adaptation in addressing the far-reaching impacts of climate change in the UK and the data collected with be invaluable in Adrian's continuing efforts in Parliament and beyond to support councils in their climate adaptation planning and implementation.

To ensure that we collect data covering the key aspects of the issue, we have developed a short questionnaire comprising of 10 questions with associated tick boxes that should be relatively quick and straightforward to answer, as most require yes/no answers. If you are unable to answer any questions in the time available, please answer what you can.

QUESTIONS REGARDING LOCAL AUTHORITY PREPAREDNESS WITH REGARD TO CLIMATE ADAPTATION

1. Does the council have a climate adaptation strategy?

a) 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?

b) Please provide link to the document.

2. Has the council conducted a climate risk assessment?

a) If yes, please provide link to the document

b) If yes, was it produced using the Local Partnerships Risk Areas Matrix?

c) 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

3. Has the council also produced a local climate adaptation action plan with associated timeframe for implementing and reviewing the strategy?

If yes, please provide link to the document

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:

a. Measures to alleviate flood risks and manage flooding

b. Measures to increase resilience of new building developments to climate impacts

c. Measures to reduce excess heat in new residential buildings

d. Measures to address overheating in schools, hospitals, care homes and other public buildings

e. Places for the public to gather in the event of a major climate disaster

f. Blue and green spaces

g. Strategies to manage climate-induced health problems

h. Improvements to make transport infrastructure more resilient

i. Nature based solutions, such a tree planting or creating wetlands

j. Coastal defences

k. SuDS (sustainable drainage systems)

l. Water efficiency measures

m. Ways of working with farmers to increase resilience of the food system and align adaptation objectives

n. Measures to enhance community engagement

p. Are there other key measures that you have taken? Please give details.

5. Does the council have access to all the necessary information, technical advice and support to deliver on adaptation planning and implementation?

6.

a. Has the council identified funding gaps hindering its ability to implement adaptation action planning?

b. Which aspects would be priorities for additional funding?

7. Has the council identified shortfalls in its capacity, skills and experience to deliver required adaptation actions?

- If yes, what is needed?

8. Is the Council aware of, and does it have the capacity to draw in, external funds for climate adaptation measures? e.g.

a. Combined Authority funding

b. Parish Council funding for small scale schemes - water butts, tree planting

c. Business contributions through Partnership Funding

d. Community Infrastructure Levy

e. Partnerships with third sector organisations such as Woodland Trust.

9. Did the council submit a report to ARP4?

- If yes, please provide a link

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?

- If yes, please provide link documenting this support

1. Yes.

a) It is a separate/stand-alone document.

b) Please see attached.

Should you require the attachments mentioned above please contact customerinformationservice@lincolnshire.gov.uk with the below reference number and this can be provided.

2. Yes.

a) It is part of the Adaptation Plan, which is attached.

b) Yes - the Local Partnerships Risk Areas Matrix was used in producing the risk assessment and action plan.

c) See document for the areas covered.

3. Yes - it is part of the Adaptation Plan which has been provided.

4.

a-p. The following are examples of actions that we have taken:

An ongoing tree planting programme and partnership with the Woodland Trust

SuDS guidance for developers through the Development Management and Highways teams

Work with the Public Health team on climate impacts

Agriculture and Horticulture Forum that addresses climate issues

Ran a Zero Carbon Parishes project to work with parish councils on climate plans

Developed environmental guidelines for new Council buildings - working with the Corporate Property Team.

Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) in its role as Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) as defined in the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 has responsibility for dealing with surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses and as such invests into mitigation measures for communities and areas which have suffered the effects of such flooding. River and Coastal Flooding falls under the remit of the Environment Agency, however LCC work in partnership with all Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) when considering the flood risk impacts across the county from all sources of flooding.

5. This is an opinion question and not one where the Council holds information.

6.

a-b. No.

7. No.

8. Yes.

9. No.

10. Lincolnshire County Council submitted a response to the LGA consultation on statutory reporting duties around climate action. This was submitted through the online form that the LGA used for the consultation.