North Yorkshire Council

Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny

24 April 2025

Climate Change Delivery Pathway Performance Report

Report of the Corporate Director - Environment

1.0       PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1       To provide a progress report on the implementation of the Climate Change Delivery Pathway.

2.0 BACKGROUND

2.1 Executive approved the North Yorkshire Council Climate Change Strategy in July 2023 in response to the declared climate emergency. The Climate Change Delivery Pathway (CCDP) sets out how the Strategy will be delivered and was approved by Executive on 20 August 2024. The ‘Governance’ section outlines that progress on delivering the Strategy will be reported annually to Executive and biannually to Transport Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny committee (TEEEOSC), evidence of which will be based on the CCDP. Progress was last reported to the TEEEOSC on 17 October 2024.

3.0 THE CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY DELIVERY PATHWAY

3.1 Progress was previously reported utilising an excel spreadsheet. Feedback of the efficacy of this indicated that an alternative process should be utilised. Officers are now investigating options to collate the data and performance information. Consequently, the report takes a narrative form outlining key progress areas outlined in the five themes of the Climate Change Strategy and Delivery Pathway; governance, mitigation, adaptation, supporting nature and North Yorkshire Council (NYC) Net Zero ambitions.

3.2       Governance

3.2.1    Performance:

i. Carbon Disclosure Project application was submitted, and the outcome is awaited. Similarly, information was provided for the Climate Emergency UK review and feedback is also awaited.

ii. The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) has commissioned consultants WSP to conduct a review of the Carbon Abatement Pathway, which provides the modelling and evidence for the regional ‘Route map to Carbon Negative’ and the net zero targets proposed as part of the Route map refresh later in 2025. Officers are part of the steering group, and the outcome is anticipated in May 2025.

iii. The Climate Change Committee (the advisory body to Government CCC) has published the seventh carbon budget (legally binding milestones on the way to achieving net zero at the national level.) This enables investors, businesses, households, and government to act with a shared understanding of the path as well as the end goal. The recommended level for the Seventh Carbon Budget sets a limit on the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions over the five-year period 2038 to 2042, is 535 MtCO₂e, including emissions from international aviation and shipping. The CCC also provide advice for Local Government to influence local choices. Key areas are transport (move away from fossil fuels), low carbon heating options and household recycling rates achieving 57% nationally.

3.2.2    Governance and Communication

i. Directorate Action Plans were reviewed by Management Board in March 2025

ii. A Communications and Engagement Plan has been drafted for review.

iii. Community engagement remains high, and officers have attended several community based events over the last six months. These are detailed in the Area Committee reports. In addition, a ‘Community Climate Action Event’ was held on 22 March by the North Yorkshire Climate Coalition to celebrate and share the community-based climate actions that have been supported through the Shared Prosperity Fund Decarbonisation programme over the past 18 months. This was attended by both the Executive Member with the climate change portfolio and the NYC Climate Change champion.

iv. Schools and young people engagement has progressed with an event held for school leaders to support development of schools-based climate action plans.

v. Funding has been secured for a number of projects and these are outlined in the report. In addition, both capital and revenue bids were made for the Carbon Negative Challenge Fund (CNCF) in March and April.

4.0       MITIGATION

4.1 The Built Environment

4.1.1 NYC housing programmes have made significant progress.

i. The original Social Housing Delivery Fund project has been mobilised and is being delivered. A minimum of 75 retrofits will be completed by March 2025 and a further 150 by March 2026, across the Harrogate, Selby, and Richmond housing stock.

ii. Building on the success, the Housing team applied for SHDF wave three and received grant aid of £34.3 million towards a total project cost of £63.3 million. Allocation of this resource to retrofit over 500 homes is now in the planning stage.

iii. The inhouse team have also achieved Retrofit training up to level five.

iv. Private sector housing has also delivered very well against its original ‘Home Upgrade Grant’ (HUG2). The target now is for 329 homes to have decarbonisation interventions with a budget of £7.4 million. NYC is one of the highest performing local authorities for HUG delivery. The scheme has estimated average energy savings per property of £770 with 63% of properties bought up to Energy Performance Certificate A-C, which were previously F to G.

v. The successful delivery of HUG2 has enabled NYC to develop a strong pipeline of properties that can benefit from the new funding scheme, the Warm Homes Fund: Local. Officers bid for £09.5million per year for three years across the county to upgrade privately owned homes for low-income households. The target is to upgrade 540 homes a year. As the programme was oversubscribed and a sum of £5.9 million has been awarded under this scheme, the programme will be reduced accordingly.

vi. The Local Energy Demonstrator programme (pilot programme of energy efficiency advice) has delivered the target of 175 home energy assessments and advice to 274 people. It has also included training in retrofit activities for 93 people.

vii. The Craven Empty Homes project has been a challenging programme to delivery due its complexity. However, progress is being made and it is now due to complete in July 2025.

4.1.2 Retrofit Plans: -The YNYCA has been developing a Retrofit Strategy and Retrofit Skills Assessment over the last year. It is anticipated that this will be subject to public consultation from mid-June to the end of July. Then a final draft will be prepared for the October YNYCA meeting for approval.

4.1.3 Community Energy: Decarbonisation Community and Business grants.

i. An 18-month programme has been funded by the SPF Decarbonisation Programme and completed 31 March 2025. It provided 68 decarbonisation grants: 26 to community groups and 42 to small to medium sized businesses. It funded 59 property-based decarbonisation audits. NYC is also currently delivering the Devolution Deal Net Zero Fund (DDNZF) Community Buildings Decarbonisation programme which has supported an additional 21 properties to decarbonise.

ii. Both programmes have also provided further decarbonisation audits and feasibility studies for business and community properties to include opportunities for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and low carbon heating options. There is increasing support from national government for community owned energy and officers appointed by both the Northeast and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub and both Distribution Network Operators in our region will enable projects to get from the page into practice.

4.2 Transport

4.2.1 Increase walking and cycling.

i. Since September 2024, two further Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) have been developed. LCWIPs for Thirsk and Whitby are close to completion and are expected to be adopted in the coming months. The Thirsk and Whitby documents make a total of ten LCWIPs across the county covering approximately 86 key active travel corridors. Design work on the ‘Bilton to Hornbeam Park’ and ‘A59 (Harrogate Road) missing link’ LCWIP route have progressed and are being funded from both Capability Fund and Area Committee funding. Detailed design of LCWIP routes in Selby (Brayton to Selby corridor) and Richmond (Darlington Road) are close to completion.

ii. In February 2025, NYC received £369,709 under Active Travel Fund tranche five. The focus of the funding included low complexity construction schemes that can be delivered quickly such as new crossings and school streets. Four schemes were submitted to Active Travel England’s assurance process.

· Introduction of a signalised pedestrian phase at the A661 Wetherby Road/Railway Road junction, Harrogate

· Parallel Crossing on Bilton Lane, Harrogate

· School Crossing Patrol site in East Ayton

· Four x school street schemes (locations to be determined)

iii. NYC also received an allocation of £1,256,601 from the Consolidated Active Travel Fund (CATF). This is split £872,999 Capital and £383,602 Revenue. The focus of the fund includes new construction schemes, essential maintenance, scheme development and behaviour change activities. Revenue funding needs to be committed by end of September 2026 and construction schemes will need to be complete by end of March 2027. Officers will begin reviewing and sifting the pipeline/longlist of schemes ready for submission to Active Travel England by end of September 2025.

iv. Full Council at its meeting on 26 February 2025 agreed that an Active Travel Strategy is pursued as part of the York and North Yorkshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) and that TEEEOSC will establish an Active Travel Working Group to support the LTP and Council Plan.

v. The DDNZF ‘Kildwick to Silsden active travel scheme’ is progressing well. Construction of the scheme started on 03 March 2025 with the contractor (JN Bentley) setting up a site compound near the swing bridge on the North Yorkshire boundary. Equipment and supplies are being transported by boat along the canal and two gangs are working outwards from the site compound to both Kildwick and Silsden. The NYC public right of way will remain open during the works, but users may need to be escorted through sections of the working area at times. The project is expected to be complete by the end of June 2025.

4.2.2 Increase access to alternative fuels

i. The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructures Programme is at the stage of bid evaluation. It is anticipated that NYC should achieve a contract start date with the chosen operator in June 2025. A period of project planning will follow with the supplier to support design and then delivery. It is anticipated that delivery can begin in early Autumn 2025.

ii. The DDNZF programme for Community Transport Operators (CTO) has now funded 12 projects which has enabled purchase of EV, EVCP and Electric Mopeds for CTOs across the area.

iii. The DDNZF feasibility study into the generation and use of green hydrogen as a transport fuel, principally for the waste collection and disposal fleet, has concluded and moved onto an outline business case development. This will conclude in May 2025.

4.2.3 Low carbon travel choices:-The York and North Yorkshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) which is a key policy document for the Mitigation theme related to travel and transport emissions, is now the responsibility of the YNCYA Authority. The work has not started as yet but the YNYCA has now approved the Strategic Transport Framework which sets out that the LTP will be developed in 2025.

4.3 Waste and Circular Economy

4.3.1 The DDNZF feasibility study into the decarbonisation of Allerton Waste Recovery Park concluded in December 2024. Due to the technical, commercial, and cost challenges associated with the options, it was decided not to take further action. However, the Waste Fleet option regarding green hydrogen was taken forward to outline business case stage (4.2.2 above.)

4.3.2 Several communities based circular economy projects were supported through the SPF Community Climate Action fund including ‘library of things and repair cafes.

4.3.3 Food Waste is a theme in the draft NYC Food for the Future in North Yorkshire: A framework for action. This is due to be published in Summer 2025.

4.4 Renewable Energy Transition

4.4.1 YNYCA has been selected by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to be one of three pilot places within the Local Net Zero Accelerator Programme. The overarching aim of the York and North Yorkshire pilot is to evaluate the replicability of Bristol’s City Leap programme in a different locality. This pilot project is focused on designing a partnership model that will accelerate the development and delivery of net zero projects. In the long term, should this be progressed, the implementation of such as strategic energy partnership would support the reduction of carbon emissions and make a significant contribution to achieving our net zero target. Over the next three months we will be developing our understanding of net zero opportunities across York and North Yorkshire. This will enable us to provide a strategic overview of our region and how we can collaborate to unlock decarbonisation at scale and pace.

4.4.2 The Dalton Industrial Estate decarbonisation project has now completed. One element of the project is a heat and power decarbonisation plan which identified renewable energy opportunities. However, the key barrier to business growth and renewable energy generation at this site is lack of grid capacity. Northern PowerGrid have been involved and now proposed a ‘Community DSO’ which will investigate the options of flexibility at the site to even out demand and supply. The businesses are currently considering this as an option.

4.4.3 Geothermal energy from the legacy ‘fracking’ wells in the Pickering area have had feasibility studies undertaken through the SPF Community Climate Action programme. This has identified the opportunity to use the geothermal heat for local businesses and residents.

4.4.4 Anaerobic Digestor plants on two dairy farms in North Yorkshire have been funded through the SPF Business Sustainability Programme. These have provided valuable case studies in terms of renewable energy from AD.

4.4.5 A community energy feasibility study has been funded through the SPF Community Climate Action Fund. This is created an innovative business plan for ‘local energy club’ in Settle and will be a blueprint for rolling out community energy buying and selling to local people, connected to the substation.

4.4.6 It is anticipated that further renewable energy generation schemes will be submitted for feasibility study and business case development through the YNYCA Carbon Negative Challenge Fund over the forthcoming weeks.

4.5 Agricultural Emissions

4.5.1 The Farm Sustainability Programme has been delivered by Grow Yorkshire, funded through the SPF Decarbonisation Programme. This has provided 40 on farm studies to highlight the carbon reduction, biodiversity and sequestration opportunities.

4.5.2 Food supply chain activity is progressing through the North Yorkshire Food for the Future project. This has included regenerative farming programmes and liaison with ‘Fix Our Food’ to highlight ‘farm to fork’ decarbonisation initiatives.

4.5.3 DDNZF funded project with the protected landscapes in North Yorkshire has investigated the potential for regenerative farming across these landscapes to reduce emissions from agriculture.

4.6 Storing Carbon

4.6.1 The role of peatlands in storing carbon emissions has been outlined to young people in North Yorkshire through and education programme funded by the SPF Community Climate Action programme.

4.6.2 The importance of lowland peat has also been identified and mapped through the Local Investment in Natural Capital Programme – LINC. This evidences the volume and carbon value of peat and the importance of retaining it to prevent methane emissions.

5.0       ADAPTATION

5.1       Work on the Adaptation theme remains ongoing. The Climate Change Strategy outlines that an Adaptation Strategy will be developed by March 2025, and this is now the focus of policy development. However, through a collaborative process, NYC is working with the YNYCA, City of York and protected landscapes and has commissioned a comprehensive Climate Risk and Vulnerability report which will conclude in May 2025. This will be followed by ‘Rapid Adaptation Pathways’ report in September 2025 and a final report in December 2025.

5.2       Officers continue to work regionally with partners on the Adaptation theme through the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission activity. The use of a narrative socialisation tool – Pam’s Story – has been well received by community groups in North Yorkshire and a further engagement with Town and Parish Councils is planned to further introduce the concepts of Adaptation.

5.3       An internal working group has also been formed and briefings held with services which are most likely to be impacted by climate change. As the data is enhanced through the Risk and Vulnerability Assessment this work will be enhanced. Each of the Directorate Action Plans includes reference to services preparing for a changing climate.

5.4       The Harbours team are intending to bid for Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee Local Levy to produce a Coastal Adaptation Plan for Flat Cliffs in the Filey and Cayton Bay Coastal Strategy. To date, there is not an example of a coastal adaptation plan adopted by a maritime Local Authority in England. NYC will apply to the YRFCC using their pilot study proforma with the intention of sharing knowledge and lessons learned with the Environment Agency and Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group.

6.0       SUPPORTING NATURE

6.1       The Local Nature Recovery Strategy documentation is now being finalised including the building of the online nature recovery map. It is anticipated that in April 2025, NYC will begin the pre-consultation with supporting authorities, prior to initiating a statutory public consultation. Our four supporting authorities are: Natural England, City of York Council, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and North York Moors National Park Authority. It is then intended to seek authorisation from the Executive Member for the Environment prior to the publication of the draft LNRS for the six-week statutory public consultation period scheduled from the end of May 2025.

6.2       White rose forest have enabled the following planting in North Yorkshire:

Planting Season	Woodland Planted (Ha)	Additional Pipeline (Ha)	Standards Planted	Notes
20/21	161
21/22	54
22/23	198
23/24	655		89	Standards = large trees (usual in urban areas)
24/25	143	295	132	Planting still underway so final area not yet confirmed.
TOTAL	1211	295	221

6.3 The National Landscapes administered by NYC are delivering the ‘Farming in Protected Landscapes’ programme. Continued funding has been confirmed in 2025/6. An example of the types of activity funded is from the Howardian Hills where the anticipated outcomes to be delivered in 24/25 are:

i. New woodland figures (ha)

· Tree canopy and woodland cover created (ha) 0.6.

· Trees planted (no.) 117 (plus a further 370 funded by Ryevitalise, in which the Howardian Hills National Landscape is a partner, as part of a large wetland project funded by FiPL)

ii. Hedgerows planting and restoration.

· Hedgerows planted (metres) 899.

· Existing hedgerows restored (metres) 48.

iii. In addition:

· A new 37m2 pond has been created.

· Two wetlands have been created (1.45 hectares, and 15 hectares).

· One hectare of species-rich grassland has been created (including the provision of three natural beehives).

· Two water harvesters have been purchased, and.

· Two compost toilets have been purchased.

6.4       Local Investment in Natural Capital (LINC)

6.4.1    North Yorkshire’s LINC is a partnership programme between NYC (the lead authority), YNYCA and City of York Council, plus the two National Park Authorities – Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.

6.4.2    The LINC programme seeks to evaluate what governance and financial structures are required to help deliver regional nature priorities, as well as develop a pipeline of investable nature-related projects.

6.4.3    Through the ongoing LINC programme, the focus has been on:

· Undertaking a Natural Capital Land Use Assessment of York and North Yorkshire to establish a baseline and identify opportunity areas for biodiversity and ecosystem uplifts.

· To categorise, refine and analyse an initial pipeline of Natural Capital projects.

· To undertake project and investor engagement to gather information and feedback on both project and investment interest.

· To produce an investment proposition for the York and North Yorkshire region.

6.4.4    This remains an ongoing programme subject to DEFRA funding, but it is evident that the appetite for investment in the region exists, with a range of large-scale institutional lenders, equity investors and buyers of ecosystem service outcomes, recognising the potential of North Yorkshire. The programme seeking to connect the dots between projects and private investment to support the benefit of nature and high-quality ecosystem service benefits.

7.0       NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCL NET ZERO PROGRESS

7.1       Fleet and Property

7.1.1    Grey Fleet – This project now forms part of the corporate transformation programme and will seek to identify options to reduce private car mileage for NYC business use.

7.1.2    Fleet vehicles – Work has commenced on the Beyond Carbon funded programme to identify the business cases for reducing fleet mileage and increasing the transition to low carbon vehicles. It will prepare a detailed analysis of the Council’s fleet decarbonisation opportunities. This will include what vehicles need to travel where, what fuel sources therefore need to be available in what locations and the timescales for vehicle replacement schedules. This is due to conclude in September 2025. In addition, Health and Adult Services, utilising Beyond Carbon funding, are trialling an EV and EVCP for their Reablement Team and studies are progressing into the use of green hydrogen as a fuel source for HGVs such as recycling.

7.1.3    Corporate Property Decarbonisation

i. The Beyond Carbon funded leisure facilities decarbonisation audits have now been completed. These outline the decarbonisation opportunities associated with each venue.

ii. External grant funding through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) of £536,928 was secured for carbon reduction measures at Nidderdale Leisure Centre. Further funding bids have been made to the YNYCA CNCF for additional projects.

iii. In addition to the action as demonstrated above, Beyond Carbon budget has been allocated to Property Services to further enable other corporate property decarbonisation audits to be produced. These will outline the decarbonisation opportunities, costs and energy savings anticipated and enable finance models to be ascertained. (External grants, invest to save, strategic energy partnership amongst others.) The Resources Directorate Action Plan includes targets for renewable energy generation and reduction in energy emissions from buildings.

iv. As part of the forthcoming Corporate Property Strategy, Property Services are developing a “Property Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Policy” this will aid and support all activity concerning the forward optimisation of the Council’s Estate, whether considering planned maintenance, refurbishment, or new build. Work is also underway to provide a consistent approach to the prioritisation of the estate, this will allow the Council to focus its capacity on set activity, such as sustainability and decarbonisation audits targeting those assets deemed as higher priority for review. The Property Service held a decarbonisation workshop in February where the opportunities for reducing emissions from existing and new build property were further developed.

7.2       Procurement and Commissioning

7.2.1    Officers have worked with City of York, Office of Police, Fire and Crime and the Yorkshire Dales National Park to develop a collaborative approach to climate responsible public sector procurement. This activity has been submitted to the YNYCA CNCF grant programme to further develop the approach.

7.3       Embedding climate change.

7.3.1    The Climate Change Business Partners have been supporting the service planning process across the Directorates. This ensure that the climate change strategy is embedded into service delivery across the organisation.

7.3.2    Climate change will feature in the new NYC staff induction training package, currently in development. This will be mandatory for all staff.

8.0       ADDITIONS TO THE CLIMATE CHANGE DELIVERY PATHWAY

8.1       The baseline figures for NYC Carbon Footprint were reported previously to TEEEOSC. This identifies the magnitude of carbon reduction required to reach the 2030 Net Zero ambition. Further work on the Property and Fleet decarbonisation plans will identify our trajectory. However, it is anticipated that in order to achieve the target, ‘offsetting and in setting’ will be required and it is therefore proposed to develop an approach to this option. This will identify how our carbon emissions, which cannot be reduced due to external factors, can be accounted for by other means. In setting refers to NYC operational activity and supply chains and can includes regenerative agriculture, nature-based solutions, and biochar for example. Offsetting refers to investment in external projects such as agroforestry, outside of the business.

8.2       Brierley Group companies, Work to quantify the governance structure, business relationship and carbon emissions has been undertaken for the NYC Teckal companies. This included ascertaining if these should be counted towards our operational carbon footprint. It is proposed that carbon emissions for the Teckal companies are included in the overall operational carbon footprint analysis and carbon reduction plans for NYC. Work to further quantify, map this and align climate action in support of operational activity is planned for the 2025/26 financial year including identifying actions which reduce the carbon footprint of these organisations.

9.0       CONSULTATION UNDERTAKEN AND RESPONSES

9.1       Consultation with the Beyond Carbon Board regarding the delivery of the Climate Change Strategy occurs on a bimonthly basis.

10.0     CONTRIBUTION TO COUNCIL PRIORITIES

10.1     The Council has declared a Climate Emergency and pledged to play its part in tackling the causes and impacts of climate change.

10.2     The Strategy delivers the following specific Council Plan ambitions:

· Place and Environment:

o A clean, environmentally sustainable, and attractive place to live, work and visit.

o A well connected and planned place with good transport links and digital connectivity

o Communities are supported and work together to improve their local area.

o Excellent quality, affordable and sustainable housing that meets the needs of our communities.

· Economy

o Economically sustainable growth that enables people and places to prosper

o Culture, heritage, arts, and sustainable tourism all play their part in the economic growth of the county.

· Health and Wellbeing

o People are supported to have an excellent quality of life and enjoy active and healthy lifestyles.

o Reduced variations in health through tackling the root causes of inequality.

· People

o In times of hardship, support is provided to those that need it most.

· Organisation

o A carbon neutral council

11.0     ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

11.1     This is a progress report, so no alternative proposals are outlined.

12.0     FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

12.1 A budget of £1 million was made available to NYCC (disbursed through the Beyond Carbon Board). The funding was one-off revenue funding. 

12.2 To date, £837,559 has been allocated, leaving £162,441 remaining with pending requests expected to be brought forward imminently to commit the remaining allocation.

12.3 Former District Councils also made budgetary provision for implementing climate change action plans, some of which has carried over to NYC. Substantial external funding has also been obtained and this is outlined for each of the actions.

13.0     LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

13.1     There are now a number of Acts which seek to deal with the implications of Climate Change. These include the Climate Change Act 2008 sets out a range of measures to deal with climate change including emission reduction targets which the UK must comply with and carbon budgeting and the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 Section 19 (1A) which requires local planning authorities to have policies in their Local Plans securing that development and land use contribute to the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. In addition, the Environment Act 2021 also contains further targets to protect the environment and to tackle the impacts of climate change. Regard was given to all relevant legislation when preparing the Strategy.

14.0     EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS

14.1     The CCDP presents many opportunities to support an equal transition to a low carbon economy as outlined as a guiding principle of the Strategy, to ensure that every person, business, and community can take climate responsible actions. Examples include the development of community owned assets, upskilling residents in low carbon technologies and improving thermal efficiency in low-income homes. The programme of actions has enabled small businesses across North Yorkshire to investigate and action energy efficiency and low carbon technology from local suppliers. A review of geographical distribution of activities will also be undertaken. An Equalities Impact Assessment screening assessment. (Appendix A) indicates a full EIA is not required.

15.0     CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS

15.1     The report outlines the climate change interventions that are required to secure our local and global future and meet locally derived ambitions and nationally required targets. The issues identified in the report have direct relevance to the activities we take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to prepare for climate change and to support nature to thrive. However, as this report is for information only, a full Climate Change Impact Assessment is not required.

16.0 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

16.1     The report outlines progress towards implementation of the Climate Change Strategy.

17.0	RECOMMENDATION
17.1	That Members acknowledge the progress related to the implementation of the Climate Change Delivery Pathway and proposed next steps.

APPENDICES:

Appendix A - Equalities impact assessment screening

Karl Battersby, Corporate Director – Environment

County Hall

Northallerton

03 April 25

Report Author – Jos Holmes, Climate Change Strategy Manager

Presenter of Report – Jos Holmes, Climate Change Strategy Manager

Initial equality impact assessment screening form This form records and equality screening process to determine the relevance of equality to a proposal, and a decision whether a full EIA would be appropriate or proportionate.
Directorate	Environment
Service area	Environmental Services and Climate Change
Proposal being screened	Climate Change Delivery Pathway Progress
Officer(s) carrying out screening	Jos Holmes, Climate Change Strategy Manager
What are you proposing to do?	To review progress to delivery of the CCDP
Why are you proposing this? What are the desired outcomes?	A narrative update on the activities outlines the Council response to the climate emergency and delivery of the Strategy
Does the proposal involve a significant commitment or removal of resources? Please give details.	No
Impact on people with any of the following protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010, or NYC’s additional agreed characteristics. As part of this assessment, please consider the following questions: · To what extent is this service used by groups of people with protected characteristics? · Does the proposal relate to functions that previous consultation has identified as important? · Do different groups have different needs or experiences in the area the proposal relates to? If for any characteristic it is considered that there is likely to be an adverse impact or you have ticked ‘Don’t know/no info available’, then a full EIA should be carried out where this is proportionate. You are advised to speak to your directorate representative for advice if you are in any doubt.
Protected characteristic		Potential for adverse impact				Don’t know/No info available
		Yes		No
Age				x
Disability				x
Sex				x
Race				x
Sexual orientation				x
Gender reassignment				x
Religion or belief				x
Pregnancy or maternity				x
Marriage or civil partnership				x
People in rural areas				x
People on a low income				x
Carer (unpaid family or friend)				x
Are from the Armed Forces Community				x
Does the proposal relate to an area where there are known inequalities/probable impacts (for example, disabled people’s access to public transport)? Please give details.		No
Will the proposal have a significant effect on how other organisations operate? (for example, partners, funding criteria, etc.). Do any of these organisations support people with protected characteristics? Please explain why you have reached this conclusion.		No
Decision (Please tick one option)		EIA not relevant or proportionate:	X		Continue to full EIA:
Reason for decision		No adverse impacts are anticipated.
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)		Michael Leah
Date		14.04.2025