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 |
Proposed amendments to the Home to School Transport Policy |
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Brief description of proposal |
Proposed amendments to the Home to School Transport Policy that was adopted by the council in 2019. The most significant proposed amendment is change one of the eligibility criteria from the nearest or catchment schools to the nearest school only |
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Directorate |
CYPS |
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Service area |
Strategic Planning |
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Lead officer |
Jon Holden |
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Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment |
None |
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Date impact assessment started |
July 2024 |
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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 Council has a statutory duty to provide home to school transport for eligible children in accordance with its own published policy.
The proposals in this report are made following a consideration of the savings that would arise from changes to the existing policy to ensure that it has a greater alignment with statutory guidance published by the Department for Education in June 23 (subsequently amended in January 2024).
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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 proposals contained in the report would result in annual savings of up to approximately £4 million, achieved over a 5 year implementation of the policy.
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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 |
X |
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Implementation of the revised policy proposal, limiting eligibility to the nearest suitable school only, will result in an estimated reduction in the amount of home to school transport. The savings would be achieved over a 7 year period for the implementation of the policy. The annual requirement for home to school transport is subject to fluctuations in pupil numbers, parental preferencing of schools, schools’ capacity and the home addresses of eligible pupils. As a result it is not possible to provide an accurate estimate of the CO2 savings that would be achieved |
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Emissions from construction |
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Emissions from running of buildings |
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Emissions from data storage |
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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 |
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No impact |
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Reduce water consumption |
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X |
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No impact |
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Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)
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X |
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Any reduction in home to school transport that is achieved through the implementation of the policy will have a positive effect upon pollution levels |
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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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No impact anticipated |
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Enhance conservation and wildlife
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X |
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No impact anticipated |
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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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No impact anticipated |
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Other (please state below)
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X |
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No impact anticipated |
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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.
Current annual expenditure on home to school transport amounts to £41 million annually arising from the provision of transport to eligible pupils. The requirements for home to school transport vary according to the needs of pupil cohorts but involve the use of a broad range of vehicles by size and type. As a consequence, there is some impact upon climate change arising from vehicle emissions and other impacts.
The implementation of revised proposals, aligned with statutory guidance issued by the DfE would have the effect of limiting some criteria for eligibility, and thus reducing the total amount of transport provided and, as a consequence, have a positive impact upon climate change.
In addition to the proposed implementation of policy proposals it is also proposed that the Council will develop and implement a Sustainable Travel Strategy for all home to school travel (i.e. including that undertaken by pupils not eligible for assistance) and thus have a greater impact upon climate change. |
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Sign off section
This climate change impact assessment was completed by:
Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature):
Date: A Newbold
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