Oxfordshire County Council
May 2010
- UK
- Built environment
- Flooding
- Heatwave
Property Services set up a Climate Change Adaptation Group (CCAG) to assess the impact of weather and climate on their services. In particular, they considered risks to the County’s property stock and went on to consider adaptation responses before producing an Action Plan.
Main messages
Good initial risk assessment, demonstrates the range of issues for LA Property Services (whole life approach, procurement, contracts, building performance, construction type, raising awareness in the building sector – contractors/architects and associated professions and trades).
Significant next steps identified.
Building infrastructure a key area for adaptation planning within local authorities. An approach that can be replicated in other service areas or other LA property services.
In detail
Summertime overheating was identified as a common occurrence in many buildings, particularly schools. The Council identified a range of contributory factors – weather, construction types, building materials, services being provided and user behaviour – with the aim of developing a mechanism/toolkit to assess buildings and the services delivered.
Motivation
Oxfordshire CC’s local climate impacts profile highlighted several instances of school closure/damage as a result of weather. LCLIP findings highlighted the impacts and financial costs of weather events on assets and infrastructure. An assessment of current and medium term vulnerability for the property stock, building uses, investment programmes was considered an appropriate next step.
Process
Based on the risk methodology adopted across the authority, the CCAG team identified key weather variables and considered their impact on PS interests/categories – buildings, land, services and users. Risk scores were assigned to impacts to produce a list of priority areas. Adaptation responses/measures were outlined with an initial review of cost/benefits.
A pilot survey on temperatures inside a primary school also took place. Data was collected over the summer terms in 2008 and 2009.
Outcomes
To follow up with further research on the performance of different types of buildings across the Council’s stock (taking account of construction type, building use, location).
Potential for participation in the Adaptation and Resilience to a Changing Climate (ARCC) research programme.
Potential link to DCSF funded work on school buildings and climate change.
Main players & partners
- Support from Head of Property Services
- Team participation from across the service
- Regular reports to Property Services Management Team
- Wider engagement in delivery of Action Plan has been more difficult to achieve
Analysis
Strengths
An initial assessment was completed, useful awareness raising occurred, significant issues for future of Property Services and for the County Council’s estate were identified.
It was a process that could be replicated elsewhere (in other service areas and in other LAs).
Process helped to identify next steps.
Opportunities to include contractors (architects/building comps/facilities management) to be realised.
Constraints
Loss of momentum – time constraints on relevant staff mean that implementation of Action Plan items has been difficult to achieve.
Self-censorship – where issues identified or adaptation responses appear financially prohibitive.