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

Title of proposal	Selby Area Garden Waste Service
Brief description of proposal	To seek a decision from the Executive to introduce a subscription charge for garden waste collections in the Selby area, in line with the rest of North Yorkshire
Directorate	Environment
Service area	Environmental Services and Climate Change
Lead officer	Aimi Brookes, Service Development Manager (Waste)
Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment	Joanne Rider, Service Development Manager
Date impact assessment started	04/04/23

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.

Option 1 – no change to the way garden waste services are carried out in the Selby area, contrary to the rest of the county

Option 2 – introduction of a subscription-based service in the Selby area including a period of winter close down from 2024

Option 2 provides the most desirable outcome as this ensure harmonisation of collections across the county and that the authority can cover its legitimate costs in delivering the garden waste collection service.

What impact will this proposal have on council budgets? Will it be cost neutral, have increased cost or reduce costs?

Please explain briefly why this will be the result, detailing estimated savings or costs where this is possible.

The expectation is that option 2 will provide additional income to the Council of up to £100k in 2023/24. depending on how many residents subscribe to the garden waste collection service. This additional income offsets the rising costs of delivering the service but also allows for service harmonisation across the county.

How will this proposal impact on the environment? N.B. There may be short term negative impact and longer-term positive impact. Please include all potential impacts over the lifetime of a project and provide an explanation.		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.	Explain how you plan to improve any positive outcomes as far as possible.
Minimise greenhouse gas emissions e.g. reducing emissions from travel, increasing energy efficiencies etc.	Emissions from travel		X		As charges are being introduced, there is a risk that some existing users of the garden waste collection service choose to dispose of their garden waste at the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs). However, experience from the introduction of subscriptions services in other parts of the county is that residents tend to compost at home which creates a positive overall impact.	Provide communication to residents to explain that whilst there is a financial cost of the service it still offers good value.	Provide educational support to residents who choose to home compost.
	Emissions from construction		X		N/A
	Emissions from running of buildings		X		N/A
	Emissions from data storage		X		N/A
	Other		X		N/A
Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic			X		Residents who choose not to subscribe to the garden waste collection service still can compost their garden waste either through HWRCs or through home composting.
Reduce water consumption			X		N/A
Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)			X		N/A
Ensure resilience to the effects of climate change e.g. reducing flood risk, mitigating effects of drier, hotter summers			X		N/A
Enhance conservation and wildlife		X			For those residents who choose not to subscribe to the service, there is an increased likelihood that they choose not to cut back the grass and vegetation in their garden, giving a mild positive impact to conservation.
Safeguard the distinctive characteristics, features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape			X		N/A
Other (please state below)			X		N/A

Are there any recognised good practice environmental standards in relation to this proposal? If so, please detail how this proposal meets those standards.

N/A

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.

The introduction of a subscription charge in the Selby areas may reduce the number of residents using the service. There is a risk that residents will instead choose to dispose of their garden waste at HWRCs therefore increasing traffic movements and associated emissions. Conversely, there is a positive in that some residents may choose to compost at home reducing overall demand and traffic movements.

3580 responses were received top the public consultation and 95% said they currently used the council’s garden waste service. Of those who use the service, 22% said they would continue to, following the introduction of a subscription-based service. A further 18% said they didn’t know.

Respondents were also asked how they would dispose of their garden waste if they didn’t subscribe. 51% said they would dispose of it in the rubbish bins, 19% said they would take it to a household waste and recycling centre (HWRC) and 13% said they would compost it at home. Where other areas have introduced an additional charge, they have not seen a significant increase in residual waste tonnages.

Sign off section

This climate change impact assessment was completed by:

Name	Aimi Brookes
Job title	Service Development Manager – Waste
Service area	Environmental Services and Climate Change
Directorate	Environmental
Signature
Completion date	24/05/23

Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature): Michael Leah

Date: 08 June 2023