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Local Authorities and Sustainable Peatland Management: Current Opportunities and Future Possibilities for Local Approaches
Funding Streams for Action on SPM Local authorities must work within the boundaries of their powers and responsibilities, but the structure of these powers, including a general power to act, allows for innovation to meet the challenges of their communities. Such innovation often needs to be supported by funding streams. The IUCN peatlands programme estimates that restoration works on peatlands in the UK (not including maintenance) will cost £500 million between 2018 and 2028. NPAP has funding to support peat restoration work but there are various other funds that local authorities can draw upon, both individually and in partnership with other organisations. These include local authority funds, Welsh Government and UK funds as well as those from the charitable sector. However, there is also a need to consider the development of private funding mechanisms.
Figure 13 Funding Streams for Local Authority and Partnership Working for SPM
Welsh Government: NPAP
Local Authority own Funding
UK Government
Funding for SPM
Charitable Sector
Private Finance
Local authority funds
Local authority funding is focused on delivering services in support of core statutory functions. Peatland restoration is directly relevant to statutory land use planning and flood prevention functions. However, these duties are focused on developing strategies and plans, not taking positive action. Direct action on SPM will depend on discretionary spending which will be sparse in the current cost of living crisis. That said local authorities must employ individuals to support these functions will have, or may develop, significant local knowledge related to peatlands that is invaluable. These individuals will also be able to work with other partners (in the ways described in this report) to access funding streams. Local authorities also have wide powers to purchase land by agreement in relation to any of its functions or
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