APPENDIX 6
Climate change impact assessment
The purpose of this assessment is to help us understand the likely impacts of our decisions on the environment of North Yorkshire and on our aspiration to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2030, or as close to that date as possible. The intention is to mitigate negative effects and identify projects which will have positive effects.
This document should be completed in consultation with the supporting guidance. The final document will be published as part of the decision making process and should be written in Plain English.
If you have any additional queries which are not covered by the guidance please email climatechange@northyorks.gov.uk
Version 2: amended 11 August 2021
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Title of proposal |
School Organisation |
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Brief description of proposal |
Proposal to Lower the Age Range of Overdale Community Primary School |
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Directorate |
Children and Young Peoples’ Service |
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Service area |
Strategic Planning |
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Lead officer |
Andrew Dixon |
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Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment |
Mark Ashton |
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Date impact assessment started |
010/03/2023 |
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Options appraisal Were any other options considered in trying to achieve the aim of this project? If so, please give brief details and explain why alternative options were not progressed.
The consultation on a proposal to provide nursery places for two year olds within the school has only been initiated because the school felt that parents were not able to access provision for 2 year olds locally, particularly on the new Middle Deepdale housing development, where the new school building has been located. Parents have responded to the consultation that current alternative options for two year olds meant their child had to change provision when 3.
The school is in a relatively high-deprivation/ high ‘free-school-meals’ area. Without this provision some parents in the area may need to drive, which may prohibit some families from being able to access early years education.
The full details of the situation leading to this proposal is contained with the report to Executive that this document is an appendix to.
In summary, no alternative option provides through-education from 2 to 11 for children in Overdale’s catchment area.
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What impact will this proposal have on council budgets? Will it be cost neutral, have increased cost or reduce costs?
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Revenue If the proposal is agreed, additional costs for the new 2-year-olds in school will be met with the revenue funding received. This revenue funding comes from a combination of means-based funding and parental subscription. The Governing Body and the Headteacher have modelled this revenue funding against the staffing and running costs and feel that this additional nursery provision will be cost-neutral and financially viable. Capital Implications Overdale Community Primary School was relocated to a new school site on the Middle Deepdale housing development in Scarborough. The new school building in Middle Deepdale is considerably larger than the old school building. There are no capital implications because the new school building has been designed with a dedicated and purpose-built nursery block. The school is currently reviewing practice for the 2-year-olds, and considering ways in which younger children can access developmentally appropriate equipment and resources in the nursery block. Transport costs There are no transport costs to the home-to-school transport budget related to this increased nursery proposal. |
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How will this proposal impact on the environment?
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Positive impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant) |
No impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant) |
Negative impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant) |
Explain why will it have this effect and over what timescale?
Where possible/relevant please include: · Changes over and above business as usual · Evidence or measurement of effect · Figures for CO2e · Links to relevant documents |
Explain how you plan to mitigate any negative impacts.
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Explain how you plan to improve any positive outcomes as far as possible. |
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Minimise greenhouse gas emissions e.g. reducing emissions from travel, increasing energy efficiencies etc.
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Emissions from travel |
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X |
The issue of school transport is difficult to analyse as parental preference plays a large role in the level of emissions from travel. For example, the local authority can maintain a local school but the popularity of a neighbouring school can encourage car use even in scenarios where a school within walking distance is available. Similarly even for schools located within walking distance some parents may choose to drive their children to school each day. Many schools operate travel plans which encourage low carbon transport options such as walking and cycling.
In the particular case of the proposed lowering of age of Overdale Community Primary School it is to be presumed that some of the new 2 year old pupils in the catchment area will make vehicular journeys to school. However, there will a number of pupils living in Middle Deepdale who will attend the school and walk to school. Opening the nursery provision in the school would enable more families living in the development to walk to school in future. |
Where possible Integrated Passenger Transport will choose vehicles and routes to minimise traffic. Neighbouring schools will be encouraged and supported to develop sustainable travel plans. |
Schools will continue to encourage sustainable methods of transport where safe and possible. For example by encouraging lift sharing, walking to school as part of developing their travel plans. |
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Emissions from construction |
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X |
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N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
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Emissions from running of buildings |
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X |
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The local authority would continue to operate the Overdale School premises and pupils would continue to be accommodated in the school building with no additional running costs. |
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Emissions from data storage |
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X |
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The data storage for Overdale as an institution would not be significantly increased as a result of the increased nursery provision. |
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Other |
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Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic |
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X |
Pupils in the increased nursery provision are being accommodated in the establishment’s existing nursery but would consume more resources. |
The school recycles consumables where possible. |
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Reduce water consumption |
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X |
The water consumption required to operate increased nursery provision at Overdale would increase slightly, from young children drinking, washing and playing with water. |
While very young children will be encouraged to hydrate, and to play with water, sustainability is encouraged through teaching. |
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Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)
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X |
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The pollution created by the school’s heating system would not increase and impact on the NYC carbon footprint. |
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Ensure resilience to the effects of climate change e.g. reducing flood risk, mitigating effects of drier, hotter summers |
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X |
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N/A |
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Enhance conservation and wildlife
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X |
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N/A |
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Safeguard the distinctive characteristics, features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape
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X |
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N/A |
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Other (please state below)
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Are there any recognised good practice environmental standards in relation to this proposal? If so, please detail how this proposal meets those standards. |
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N/A
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Summary Summarise the findings of your impact assessment, including impacts, the recommendation in relation to addressing impacts, including any legal advice, and next steps. This summary should be used as part of the report to the decision maker:
This proposal has positive, neutral and negative environmental impacts. The positive impacts will be a reduction in use of vehicles from families with siblings who will now be able to attend the same institution, rather than travel separately to two institutions. The neutral impact in energy usage would include heating and lighting usage, since the children will be accommodated in the existing nursery block. The negative environmental impacts associated with the nursery proposal would include water usage, and also other resource usage and some increased use of vehicles to transport the pupils to and from school. Ultimately there is an overriding consideration in this proposal to provide the best outcome for the education of children in the local area and no other educationally sustainable option has been identified.
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Sign off section
This climate change impact assessment was completed by: Mark Ashton
Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature):
Date: 21/03/2023
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