Accelerating Net Zero Living in Perth and Kinross - Pathfinder

Following on from a successful Phase 1 Pathfinder Places Project, Perth & Kinross Council, in partnership with Nicki Souter Associates, the University of Edinburgh and the Blairgowrie & Rattray Community Trust are seeking to develop the key community co-created place-based solutions that address non-technical barriers as voted for by residents and businesses in the Phase 1 areas.

The project will seek to explore how these ideas can be best executed utilising the expertise of participating partners. The development work will focus on two key themes:

**Revitalising Homes** will look at a whole systems approach to retrofit through engagement with local suppliers and installers, identifying green skills gaps, exploring and modifying the customer re-claim model for funding and creating a viable business model for a sustainable retrofit project. Work will also be carried out to create a local Trusted Trader Network and supplier/installer framework prioritising local businesses to be utilised by private and social housing landlords and owners.

**Connecting Regional Travel** will investigate the viability of two new services focusing on the rural town of Aberfeldy. One will look at an express bus route out of the town to Perth, and another will concentrate on a minibus service connecting surrounding villages with Aberfeldy. Work will also look at synchronising bus schedules with vital destinations like healthcare facilities or train stations, provision of express bus services and feasibility of peer-to-peer transport services. Additionally, it will investigate reduced-cost fare options to stimulate demand and encourage a shift in commuting patterns, ultimately striving to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

A fail-fast agile approach will be taken allowing elements of the project to be adaptable, whilst still focused on the solutions to key barriers. We will maximise knowledge transfer through extensive monitoring and evaluation, working in collaboration with external partners to ensure that our findings and associated learnings are disseminated across the UK, reaching local government, businesses and community groups.

The project will focus on the Perth & Kinross local authority area, with a particular focus on the communities of Aberfeldy and Blairgowrie.