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    Technical Notes 2021, Issue 190 - Nature Restoration Fund 2023/24 and 2024/25 Project Update

    • Report by:

      Ann Davie, Chief Executive

    • TN Number:

      190-24

    • Subject:

      Nature Restoration Fund 2023/24 and 2024/25 Project Update

    • Responsible Officer:

      Stephen Egan, Team Leader - Streetscene Technical Support

    • Publication:

      This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared out with the Council.

    • This Technical Note is to update Elected Members on the Nature Restoration Fund Projects associated with 2023/24 and 2024/25 funding.
    • East Dunbartonshire received £266,000 of NRF directly from the Scottish Government for financial year 2023/24.
    • The funding was not received until July 2023 and therefore it was not possible to spend the full grant in the last financial year. However, the Service was permitted to carry forward the balance of the 2023/24 funding into financial year 2024/25
    • The balance of the 2023/24 funding was circa £200,000.
    • The incomplete 2023/24 projects have been continued since April 2024 and as of 31st October 2024 a balance of approximately £70,000 remains to be spent this financial year.
    • Projects which will benefit from the 2023/24 funding include the following:
    • Street Tree Planting – to be undertaken across the district
    • Whitefield Pond and Balgrochan Marsh Management Plan – finalise plan and undertake early actions
    • Heather Avenue Management Plan – finalise plan and undertake early actions
    • Lenzie Moss Management Plan – finalise plan and undertake early actions
    • Lennox Park – undertake a range of environmental works agreed with the community
    • Mains Park, Milngavie – finalise environmental works adjacent to new path
    • Pond Works in Milngavie – partnership with local group
    • Engagement will be undertaken with the relevant community in advance of the works.
    • All the works are planned to be undertaken within the current financial year.
    • It should also be noted that the Nature Restoration Fund also issued £132,000 for 2024/25 Projects.
    • The 2024/25 Projects are listed below
      • Bishopbriggs Park - Management Plan and initial works
      • Lenzie Moss - Access Management re Peatland areas and dam repairs
      • Lenzie Moss - Scrub removal of grassland (Water Voles)
      • Tree Planting – various planting (this on a significant scale)
      • EDC Wide Yellow Rattle Project - plant up embankments across EDC
      • Climate Change Park - Basin Works - Wildflower/Soil etc.
      • Meadow Management – training awareness for staff
      • Cairnhill Woods - Forest School Provision - Wood carvings, School Provision etc.
      • Support to Countryside Rangers Service at Mugdock Country Park - Various locations and tasks
      • Carbon Study - Off setting.
    • As per the notification issued by Scottish Government in August 2024. Councils were notified that the allocated 2024/25 capital funding received via the Nature Restoration Fund could in the current financial year deploy their capital switching capacities to utilise this the allocated £132,000 specifically to contribute towards 2024/25 pay awards to council staff.
    • As a result of this reallocation of the 2024/25 Nature Restoration Funding the 2024/25 Project will not be taken forward as per section 10. However, the projects will be continued in 2025/26 if further funding from the Nature Restoration Fund is received, or an alternative funding source is obtained.