Blackpool Council - Strategy and Climate Lead

Scott Butterfield

Strategy and Climate Lead - Blackpool Council

1. What interests you most about your work in the energy, climate change and sustainability agenda?

The pace of change and the opportunity to make a difference, knowing that whatever small wins you get are contributing.

2. What are you looking to achieve through your work? 

Giving all those officers, members and residents who want to do the right thing an excuse and reason to do so!

3. What is the main factor supporting/driving your local authority’s work in this agenda? 

We have a committed and active portfolio holder, and a “can do” culture which allows officers space to work on projects, make proposals and find ways of funding them.

4. What is the main factor acting as a drag on your local authority’s work in this agenda? 

The huge amount of work on a number of different fronts which the Council needs to deliver, together with a lack of financial resources, means that it’s challenging to scale the number of projects up to the level needed.

5. Give an example of something (a project/policy/initiative) that your local authority completed that others can learn from?

The Blackpool Eco Hub, which in the second month of full solar, battery and heat pump operation saw a carbon emissions reduction of 99% compared to the previous year (admittedly it was a very sunny month).

6. What do you think can be done at national government level to make the biggest change to outcomes in this agenda?

A statutory duty and specific financial resources, together with real engagement from central government with what local government can offer.

7. How did you get to where you are now? (personal interest, qualifications, previous jobs, other experience)

My background is in housing, with an MA in Housing Policy from Sheffield Hallam University, and experience working at Hull City Council and Yorkshire Housing. I moved into policy when I returned to the better side of the Pennines at Hyndburn Council before coming to Blackpool as a Research Manager, which gradually morphed into a corporate role including strategy and performance management. When we declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 I was keen that the agenda was driven from the centre of the organisation, enabling us to use our links across the Council to achieve widespread change, so my remit now includes both the strategic side of climate response and some specific delivery projects such as EV charging.

8. What do you do personally to support the agenda?

I’ve leased an EV for 4 years, do No Mow May (my neighbour can’t understand why there are more insects around than there used to be and I’m not prepared to say I’m the cause), and take domestic holidays. I went vegan before it was fashionable, and still am now it’s not!

9. What's next on your list to change personally?

I have a very leaky house with a gas boiler. I can’t keep pretending that turning the thermostat down is a long term solution…