Council shortlisted for COSLA Excellence Award

Two projects designed to improve the environment and cut carbon emissions across Inverclyde have been nominated for a COSLA Excellence Award.

The three-year Duchal Moor peatland restoration project and the planting of 10,600 trees at Coves Local Nature Reserve (LNR) have been shortlisted in the Just Transition to a Net Zero Economy category.

All of Scotland’s 32 local authorities were invited to apply to the awards. More than 200 entries were received by COSLA across the five award categories with just 15 projects making the final shortlist.

Each finalist will be invited to present their projects to a panel of judges in August with the winners announced at COSLA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition on 19^th September at the Crieff Hydro Hotel.

Councillor Paul Cassidy, vice-convener of the Environment and Regeneration Committee (environment) said: “This is the second year in a row the council has been nominated for a COSLA Excellence Award and it’s testament to the hard work and dedication of our council officers that we’ve been recognised again.

“These projects are innovative and significant, demonstrating the benefits of collaborating with external partners.

“At Duchal Moor, the first year of our ambitious project to restore Inverclyde’s peatlands has been completed, and we are already witnessing positive outcomes from the restoration of 156 hectares of moorland. The area experiences less flooding, and a local farmer has reported a decrease in harm to his livestock.

“At Coves, reports of anti-social behaviour from our community wardens and residents have decreased. Additionally, there is an increase in wildlife, and the new paths are being utilized by more community groups.

“Congratulations to everyone involved in both projects, and I wish them the best of luck at the awards in September.”

The Duchal Moor project will restore an area of 788 hectares of drained peatland in Inverclyde in a bid to cut carbon emissions.

Inverclyde Council was awarded £768,705 from NatureScot’s Peatland ACTION partnership to carry out the work, which began on site in January 2024.

The project is being supported by the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network's Clyde Peatlands initiative, which aims to increase the rate and scale of peatland restoration across the whole City Region.

A total of 10,600 trees have been planted at Coves Local Nature Reserve (LNR), which borders Greenock and Gourock.

Work began in late February to plant the trees, which are all native Scottish species, as part of a £200,000 investment.

Inverclyde Council received the money from the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund and commissioned Green Action Trust to carry out the work.

Both projects are designed to improve the local environment and support delivery of the council’s Net Zero Action Plan 2022/27.

Councillor Shona Morrison, COSLA’s President and Chairperson of the Excellence Awards, said: “The COSLA Excellence Awards are a highlight of my year and it’s always inspiring to hear so many positive and innovative projects coming from across Scottish local government.

“In such a challenging time for councils it cannot be underestimated how much these teams and the services they offer are relied upon by our communities – overcoming increasingly complex challenges every day.

“Councils do and achieve more than what is often seen or portrayed – the work of these teams affects every part of our lives, and are often a lifeline for the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

In 2023, Inverclyde Council won the Strengthening Communities and Local Democracy category with its Historic Links to Slavery project at the COSLA Excellence Awards.

The other nominations in the Just Transition to a Net Zero Economy category are AMIDS District Heating Network by Renfrewshire Council and Shetland Rural Energy Network by Shetland Council.

For more information on the COSLA Excellence Awards, click on the link in the right hand column.