Form climate change impact assessment

Appendix 7

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	School Organisation
Brief description of proposal	Proposal to increase pupil numbers at Springwater School, Starbeck 112 to 157 from 1 September 2025
Directorate	CYPS
Service area	Education and Skills
Lead officer	Sue Turley
Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment	Chris Reynolds
Date impact assessment started	12 September 2024

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.

In terms of a geographic location, the Council has identified a need for a location in a central area between the A1 corridor and the Ripon, Knaresborough, Harrogate area because this maximises the school’s reach across the county and locates the provision close to an area where a significant proportion of the pupil population resides.

The Council consulted extensively on the changes to the delivery model of SEN provision prior to the approval of the Strategic Plan, and specifically on the detail of the delivery model between 6 February and 15 March 2020. The results of this consultation were reported to the Executive on 24 March 2020.

No realistic alternative options were available for additional special school places to be located in the preferred geographic location without seeking to access sites on the open market.

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 implications for revenue and capital funding were set out in the report to the Executive Member on 3 September 2024.

There are capital costs associated with providing refurbishment of additional accommodation adjacent to Springwater School which will allow the school to achieve additional capacity. Limited capital resources have been allocated in the SEND Capital Investment Programme to where it is perceived to have the best effect.

The proposed increase in pupil numbers and capital investment at Springwater School, will achieve longer term savings by reducing the current demand and high cost of placing children out of North Yorkshire settings.

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			Providing additional, locally accessible places will greatly reduce pupil journey times to and from school.
	Emissions from construction			X	There would be some emissions related to construction on this project however the works to the site would be limited. Any alternative proposal particularly those involving significant new build would cause a far higher level of emissions.
	Emissions from running of buildings			X	Both 68A The High Street and Meadowbank are currently in use. There may be increased emissions from these buildings as a school will be operating from these sites.
	Emissions from data storage			X	Both 68A The High Street and Meadowbank are currently in use. There may be increased emissions from these buildings as a school will be operating from these sites.
	Other
Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic				X	There will be increased production of waste as this proposal would see a school operating from the refurbished buildings of Meadowbank and 68A The High Street.
Reduce water consumption				X	There would be increased water consumption as this proposal would see a school operating from the refurbished buildings.
Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)				X	This proposal would see a school operating from the site and would therefore cause a small increase in light and noise.
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		N/A
Safeguard the distinctive characteristics, features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape			X		N/A
Other (please state below)

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.

This proposal has a number of negative impacts as set out above. These include an increase in emissions from data storage, running the buildings and construction. However, all of these are negative impacts against a baseline of ‘do nothing’. It is imperative that a sufficient number of special school places are provided for within this area. This council sites adjacent to Springwater School represent a good opportunity to provide additional places without causing significant emissions from construction which would be created in an alternative proposal requiring a significant new build. Through upgrading and reusing existing buildings, rather than demolishing and building new, we will make also substantial energy savings because the CO₂ emissions already embodied within existing buildings would not be lost through demolition. Furthermore by implementing this proposal it would ensure that places are available in the locality which would reduce the emissions from transport associated with pupils travelling further to access school places elsewhere including currently to settings outside of North Yorkshire.

The school site itself is owned by North Yorkshire Council which has developed a carbon reduction plan to help reach a target of net-zero neutrality for the council by 2030, or as near to that date as possible.

Sign off section

This climate change impact assessment was completed by: Sue Turley

Name	Sue Turley
Job title	Strategic Planning Officer
Service area	Education and Skills
Directorate	CYPS
Signature	Sue Turley
Completion date	16 10 2024

Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature):

Date: 28/10/2024