We collaborated with West Lindsey District Council in application for Low Carbon Skills funding and future Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme bids. Our aim was to help the council review the potential projects, assist with initial feasibility, and ultimately assist in submitting a successful application.

Key facts:

• In November 2019, West Lindsey District Council formally resolved to make its own activities net zero carbon before 2050, aligning with the UK government's legally binding national net zero target. The council also committed to support the wider district in achieving net zero by the same date. 
• The council has developed a comprehensive Sustainability, Climate Change and Environment Strategy and action plan
• This is underpinned by a Carbon Management Plan, developed with the Carbon Trust which sets out a roadmap to reduce emissions across key areas such as council buildings, transport and leisure centres. Planned and completed measures include:
  Improving building fabric and energy efficiency and Decarbonising heating by replacing gas boilers with low carbon alternatives like heat pumps.

West Lindsey District Council has changing portfolio priorities and required a wider scope of potential projects to be considered.

Time was taken to ensure the application submitted represented the best value possible, not just in terms of cost, but also in terms of tCO2e saved, with the Guildhall being the largest contributor and responsible for over half.

Effective communication with internal stakeholders, building users, and the public was essential to ensure the success and buy-in of the project.

Working with West Lindsey District Council Environment and Sustainability teams, we undertook portfolio assessment. This involved assessing relevant buildings, energy and emissions data, and information to inform decision making. 

We created a profile of the estate detailing which buildings should be prioritised for further planning work.

Throughout the Low Carbon Skills Fund application process, we supported West Lindsey District Council with regular review meetings. 

This decarbonisation project under the LCSF  scheme is a successful example of how public sector organisations can leverage Government funding to transition to a low-carbon future. 

The project not only supports the council's commitment to carbon reduction but also delivers tangible operational and financial benefits, making it a model for other local authorities to follow.