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 |
Review of Winter Weather Event - January 2025 |
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Brief description of proposal |
To inform the Corporate Director of Environment, in consultation with the Executive Member for Highways & Transportation and seek approvals for proposals to enhance elements of operational service delivery for the 2025/26 and subsequent winter seasons. This follows a review of the winter weather event that occurred in January 2025 and a report to Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview & Scrutiny Committee (TEEEOSC) in July 2025, during which Scrutiny Members offered comments and suggestions. |
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Directorate |
Environment |
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Service area |
Highways & Infrastructure – Highway Operations |
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Lead officer |
Nigel Smith – Head of Highway Operations NYC |
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Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment |
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Date impact assessment started |
13 September 2025 |
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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 report is a reflection on the Council’s response to the winter weather event of January 2025; the service is delivered via NYC, NY Highways and a number of farming / other subcontractors. The report includes proposals regarding how the existing service can be enhanced utilising that resource and through possible partnership working with business, residents, Parish / Town Councils and other community groups.
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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.
Any cost incurred would need to be carefully considered that against the backdrop of overall financial challenge on NYC and the Transformation Savings agenda but would ultimately be borne from the existing winter service budget. Any financial implications arising from the proposals in their report will be carefully considered by the Corporate Director Environment in conjunction with the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation alongside input from the AD Strategic Resources.
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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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Potential for increase in mechanised capability (and resultant emissions) to treat / clear footways from snow / ice |
Consider lowest emission / electric vehicles |
Explore market – maximise opportunity to procure low / no emission vehicles |
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Emissions from construction |
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N/A |
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Emissions from running of buildings |
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N/A |
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Emissions from data storage |
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N/A |
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Other |
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N/A |
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Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic |
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N/A |
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Reduce water consumption |
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N/A |
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Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)
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Ensure any mechanical equipment (if approved) is low emission and low noise, but effective treatment of footways would encourage alternative modes of travel, including walking if footways treated more effectively/extensively. Consideration can be given to utilising a salt / grit mix to reduce the amount of salt used in footway treatments and future consideration can be given to alternative de-icing methods |
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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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N/A – this relates to how the winter service is delivered during extreme winter weather events |
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Enhance conservation and wildlife
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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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N/A |
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Other (please state below)
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N/A |
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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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Rocksalt is widely recognised as a de-icing agent, but as part of a wider review of winter service provision, alternatives such as liquid de-icers can be explored as this review evolves.
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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 report is for information and to seek Members’ views after which further work is required on the areas outlined in Section 6 |
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Sign off section
This climate change impact assessment was completed by:
Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature): Barrie Mason
Date: 02/10/2025 |