NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL
12 NOVEMBER 2025
STATEMENT OF THE EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR MANAGING OUR ENVIRONMENT
Climate Change Update
Following the first-year success for North Yorkshire Council reporting to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) platform, where we achieved a B. We have again submitted our disclosure CDP and are aiming to achieve the same result or better.
Work has been completed on the York and North Yorkshire risk and vulnerability assessment, which brings together data and mapping to assess the relevant Climate Risks for the region, including the vulnerable locations. This information will be used as the evidence based for the development of the Adaptation Section of the Climate Change Strategy and will enable us to consider how the changing climate will impact upon our operational activities and communities.
Another key focus in the past few months, has been around the York and North Yorkshire Retrofit Strategy and Routemap to Carbon Negative, with work ongoing to collaboratively review and refresh these documents by the Combined Authority. The retrofit strategy is currently out for public consultation, with the routemap soon to follow later this year.
Work has also been underway in a number of funded programmes, including feasibility studies funded through the Energy Growth Accelerator Programme (EGAP), decarbonisation and climate change action projects through the Carbon Negative Challenge Fund and solar panel installs through the Mayoral Renewable Fund (MRF). The team continues to focus on funding opportunities to support climate action, working with service teams and local authority partners.
Natural Capital Service
Further to a recent update taken to the ACCs on the progress of the North Yorkshire & York Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). I can confirm that the team are now in the final stages of the governance process, prior to formal approval and adoption, working with supporting authorities including City of York, the CA, DEFRA, Natural England and National Parks
Following a recent Secretary of State review of all proposed designations, the Yorkshire Wolds Area of Natural Beauty, has been given approval to continue on the process of formal designation, including governance processes and agreement over the future host authority remit and management of the proposed designation.
For our existing National Landscapes, both Nidderdale and Howardian Hills National Landscape have been attending their respective ACCs to give an update and overview of the next steps for the refresh of the Management Plans. These are prepared on behalf of North Yorkshire Council and will be brought forward for formal adoption by December 2025.
Waste
I’m pleased to share that the Waste Services team is nearing the completion of a significant and transformative project to harmonise front-line waste collection working practices across our area. By the end of 2025, all domestic waste collections will take place between Tuesday and Friday, with consistent start and finish times. Crews will work collaboratively to complete rounds, fostering a more unified and efficient approach to service delivery.
This harmonisation brings several key benefits:
To date, over 200,000 households have successfully transitioned to new collection days and/or weeks. The final phase, affecting around 6,000 properties in the Harrogate locality, will be completed by December. This achievement is the result of outstanding collaboration across multiple council teams, all working together to deliver the best possible service to our residents. It stands as a blueprint for future service improvements and a testament to what we can accomplish together.
Regulatory Services
North Yorkshire Council Enforcement Policy
North Yorkshire Council is responsible for a broad and diverse range of regulatory functions such as planning, housing, environmental health, and trading standards. Prior to the formation of North Yorkshire Council, predecessor Council’s had their own enforcement policies with differing priorities, resources, and approaches to regulation. We now have an opportunity to harmonise our strategic approach to regulation, across the County, as one Council and adopt a North Yorkshire Council Enforcement Policy.
A proposed policy will ensure public protection, legal compliance and set the framework within which officers of the Council will operate. The proposed policy commits the Council to good enforcement practice, adhering to current legislation, guidance, and codes of practice. It provides an overarching framework for the Council. It is an umbrella policy that aims to support any specific policies drawn up by individual service areas to deliver their specific functions. For example, the recently approved Housing standards enforcement policy and the Regulatory services fixed penalty notices policy.
The Corporate Director for Environment convened and coordinated an officer working group, across all relevant regulatory services. The proposed policy is scheduled for Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 22 October 2025, accordingly, returning to Management Board 18 November 2025, Cabinet 2 December 2025 and Executive 20 January 2026.
Licensing
Maximum Hackney Carriage fares - Further to a request for review of maximum Hackney Carriage fares, a full review was carried out by the Executive in September and no increase applied.
Pavement Licensing - A request to consult on a proposal to fully revise and harmonise Pavement Licensing Polices will be presented to the Executive Member on 24 October.
National consultations – The Government are consulting on significant changes to the law relating to licensing of vapes and tobacco products, alcohol and gambling. Responses will be agreed with the Executive Member and Chair of the Licensing Committee.
Regulatory Services
Farming, Food and Health
The Animal Health team within Farming, Food and Health have completed the annual review of the North Yorkshire Zoonotic / Non-Zoonotic Animal Disease Plans.
Bird flu remains the highest risk for the coming months however as we move into the new bird flu season (Oct – Sep) North Yorkshire is currently bird flu free. On a wider note, despite European outbreaks of Lumpy Skin disease and Foot and Mouth earlier in 2025, the risk of either entering the UK is currently assessed as low.
National Trading Standards eCrime Team and NYtech
Operation Kayo
A lengthy investigation into a number of websites set up to deceive consumers in relation to paying for various road charging schemes: Dartford Crossing, Mersey Tunnel, Ultra Low Emission Zones and the like. Consumers using the websites believed they were paying via the official website for the relevant charge due as the fraudsters websites deliberately didn’t make clear they weren’t the official payment website. Although the relevant charge was usually passed on to the official website, consumers weren’t aware they had paid additional fees on top for the “benefit” of using the fraudsters website to make the payment, meaning they paid up to three times the official price. In many cases consumers were also issued with Fixed Penalty Notices as the payment they made was not in fact passed on to the official web site. The fraudsters made over £2 million from the web sites and have pleaded guilty to fraudulent trading and money laundering. They will be sentenced on 31 October.
Registration, Coroners and Bereavement Services
The Registration Service continues to register deaths at an average of 3 days, well within the nationally set target of 5 days following receipt of medical documentation. This provides the whole of the funeral sector and our own crematoria with certification which allows bereaved families to be able to undertake funerals in a timely manner.
The service is now preparing for further legislative changes which will be implemented next year following the passing of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. This act modernises a significant number of elements of civil registration and secondary legislation will provide detail in the new year.
The Government has recently announced that it will consult on the Law Commission’s report on wedding reforms in the new year and the service will be participating in consultation and feedback regarding proposed changes. This is likely to be a lengthy process potentially taking a number of years to implement.
Three relief assistant coroners have been appointed as part of the national annual coroner recruitment cycle. Once trained and able to sit in the new year they will provide further resilience to the service, thus allowing the coroner to minimise the length of time families need to wait for an inquest, and further serve bereaved families.
Capital work investment in the Bereavement Service has seen the completion of the chapel extension at Skipton in October, this increased the capacity of the chapel, better serving the bereaved in the Craven area. Pateley Bridge cemetery extension works are due to be completed this month and will be available for burials in the spring. Further capital works are planned for Maple Park Crematoria to provide additional storage for the tenanted cafe. Cremator replacement at Woodlands in Scarborough and cemetery expansion plans in several areas are in project development, and capital funding requests will be made in due course.
COUNCILLOR RICHARD FOSTER