Stakeholder Consultation Survey Responses

Retrofit Strategy Consultation – Stakeholder Survey copy

Below is a copy of the survey questions for the stakeholder version of the public consultation on York and North Yorkshire’s draft Retrofit Strategy.

Please either use this paper version to draft your answers and input them to the survey page, which can be found here, or return your filled out paper copy to energy@yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk or to York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA

If you have any questions, please contact energy@yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority - Retrofit Strategy Consultation

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) is developing its Retrofit Strategy, a collaborative document aiming to increase the pace and scale of retrofit in the York and North Yorkshire region

As of 2023, approximately 50,000 households were in fuel poverty in York and North Yorkshire. 63% of homes and 57% of non-domestic buildings are below EPC C, meaning that they are less energy efficient which can result in higher energy bills, as well as being too cold in winter and too hot in summer. We spend a lot of time in our buildings, so this can also have a huge impact on physical and mental health.

Retrofit can change the picture, but to make sure this Strategy is right for everyone in the region, we want to hear from you

The questionnaire should take no longer than 15minutes to complete.

If at any point you wish to go back to a previous question please use the dedicated "previous page" button at the bottom of the page rather than your browsers back button otherwise you may lose your progress.

This questionnaire will close at 11:59pm on 3 December 2025. 

1. York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority will act in accordance with our Privacy notice. Personal data is being collected to help us to better understand the responses, and will be used to assist analysis. All responses will be anonymised.Do you agree to participate in YNYCA’s research survey? Your data will be used in accordance with the privacy notice linked above.

X	Yes, I agree to participate
	No, I do not agree to participate

2. Are you responding as an individual/business or on behalf of an organisation? If you’re not sure which version of the consultation you should answer, please get in touch with: energy@yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk

	I want to share my personal views as someone who could be affected by the Retrofit Strategy (Individual or Business)
X	I want to share my organisation’s views on retrofit and/or my organisation has a role to play in retrofit (Organisation)
To make sure this Strategy is right for everyone in the region, we want to hear from key stakeholders. The consultation is open to any organisation based in or operating in York and North Yorkshire that has a role in retrofit. This can be across any element, such as skills, supply chain, social housing providers, local authorities, community groups etc. There is also a version of this survey specifically for the general public and businesses. If you’re unsure which version of the survey to answer, please get in touch with energy@yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk. You may find it helpful to have the draft Retrofit Strategy open while you answer this survey. You can view the draft Retrofit Strategy here.

3. What is the size of your organisation?

	Micro (0 to 9)
	Small (10 to 49)
	Medium (50 to 249)
X	Large (250+)

4. We’d like to know where your organisation is based.

DL78AD - County Hall

What’s the first half of your postcode for your main workplace?

Please write in the first half of your postcode for example DL7 or YO17. This information cannot be used to identify where your organisation is, it only gives us a generalised idea of where you are. If your organisation operates out of multiple workspaces please use the postcode of your main office.

Prefer not to say

Postcode:

 DL7 8AD

5. What is the name of your organisation?

North Yorkshire Council

6. Please provide a contact email address.

This will only be used if we need to contact you when, for example, we need to clarify a response you have given. Your response answers will remain anonymous in all finalised reports and publications.

Climatechange@northyorks.gov.uk

7. Do you consent to the name of your organisation being listed as providing a response? 

X	Yes
	No

8. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "I am supportive of York and North Yorkshire’s Retrofit Strategy." The draft Strategy can be found here.

X	Strongly agree
	Agree
	Neither agree nor disagree
	Disagree
	Strongly disagree

9. Please provide some detail for your answer.

NYC Officers have been engaged in the development of the retrofit strategy. The draft retrofit strategy demonstrates the potential for retrofit and ambition within York and North Yorkshire.

The strategy’s ambition to scale up retrofit delivery and secure additional funding is strongly welcomed. Local authorities are fully committed to playing their part and have already invested significant time and resources into building experienced, resident-focused delivery teams. These teams are well-placed to deliver retrofit at pace, particularly for vulnerable households where trust, local knowledge, and tailored support are essential.

However, it is important that the strategy does not inadvertently slow progress by funnelling existing funding through new centralised structures. While centralised delivery may be effective for business-facing schemes, resident-led retrofit requires a more agile, place-based approach. Adding further layers of governance—such as routing funds through the YNYCA—risks introducing delays and additional reporting burdens that could undermine the effectiveness of local delivery models.

Moreover, the ambition to deliver 67,000 domestic solar installations in just four years is commendable, but without new and dedicated funding, it is unlikely to be achievable. Simply redistributing existing resources will not be sufficient to meet the scale of the challenge. The strategy should focus on unlocking genuinely new funding and finance options, while enabling local delivery partners to continue building on the strong foundations already in place.

10. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "The Retrofit Strategy has the right level of ambition."

X	Strongly agree
	Agree
	Neither agree nor disagree
	Disagree
	Strongly disagree

11. Please provide some detail for your answer. This could include details such as whether the level of ambition is too high or too low.

The draft Retrofit Strategy outlines the ‘Scale of Ambition’, which does not identify targets but it is based on the York and North Yorkshire leading the way pathway of assumptions.

The scale of ambition will not be possible without additional funding that can support the strategy delivery, utilising existing established delivery teams and mechanisms. Additionally, the scale up of rooftop solar is very ambitious and would require additional funding mechanisms to support uptake.

12. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "The Executive Summary adequately summarises the Strategy for key stakeholders." You can access the Executive Summary here.

	Strongly agree
X	Agree
	Neither agree nor disagree
	Disagree
	Strongly disagree

13. Please provide some detail for your answer. For example, this could include extra content you think should be included in the Executive Summary.

Yes the executive summary clearly presents the draft strategy

14. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "The Case For Action sets out the region’s key opportunities sufficiently, including potential for further devolution."

	Strongly agree
X	Agree
	Neither agree nor disagree
	Disagree
	Strongly disagree

15. Please provide some detail for your answer. For example, this could include any content you think is missing from the Case For Action.

The case for action outlines key regional opportunities that retrofit can support. Comfort, cost & climate effectively capture the vision of the draft strategy. Further details that provide a clearer financial roadmap and contingency planning would be welcomed. The strategy should aim to explicitly protect and empower existing local delivery models, especially those focused on residents.

The strategy rightly calls for retrofit to be “bespoke to the region” and this is important to ensure flexibility in funding, reporting and delivery models to reflect the diversity of housing types and community needs across the region. NY is a very rural region, with older housing stock that is geographically dispersed. This can make it challenging to retrofit at pace and scale and can contribute to higher costs. These challenges are not present in an urban environment and differences need to be accounted for in relation to funding and delivery models.

Changes could be made in the wording to the EPC section as the beginning paragraph under ‘Comfort’ reads clunky. Under ‘Cost’ – there is the potential to add in information on job creation and investment in education and skills. In the ‘Climate’ section it may be more appropriate to remove some examples of how much carbon is produced and to focus on reductions associated with retrofit.

16. Is there any extra evidence or engagement you think should be added to the development process, such as academic papers, findings from local projects, or feedback from relevant engagement sessions? YNYCA is particularly interested in any further evidence related to the energy efficiency of non-domestic buildings, community buildings and the number of retrofit-focused businesses in the area. Please note we may wish to follow-up with you about any further evidence.

X	Yes - Please detail any feedback in the space below
	No - Please detail any feedback in the space below
	Not sure - Please detail any feedback in the space below

Please detail any feedback:

 We strongly recommend that the strategy includes a commitment to lobby central government for dedicated funding schemes to support the retrofit of hard-to-treat homes. Without this, there is a real risk that these properties will be left behind, undermining both the equity and effectiveness of the region’s decarbonisation efforts. A tailored approach is essential to ensure that all residents—regardless of the type of home they live in—can benefit from warmer, healthier, and more energy-efficient housing. These properties are disproportionately expensive and technically complex to retrofit. For example, internal data shows that the average cost of retrofitting a listed or conservation area dwelling can exceed £42,000, with some cases reaching up to £150,000 per home. Planning constraints, the need for specialist materials, and the requirement for skilled heritage contractors all contribute to these costs.

Furthermore, there needs to be more nuance included in the boiler replacement paragraph because it is not as simple as just installing a ASHP instead of a gas/oil boiler. Remove the mention of geothermal because this is a heat source for a heat network, not something to consider instead of a heat network.

In this section there is little reference to the role of universities particularly the University of York which has specific expertise in this area.

17. Do you agree to York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority following up with your organisation with regards to gathering further evidence to support the Retrofit Strategy? 

X	Yes, I agree
	No, I do not agree

18. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "The Strategic Framework clearly sets out the vision, strategic priorities and outcomes of the Strategy, and their relationships."

X	Strongly agree
	Agree
	Neither agree nor disagree
	Disagree
	Strongly disagree

19. Please provide some detail for your answer. For example, this could include formatting changes.

Yes the strategic vision is clear and the priorities are targeted effectively to meet the three outcomes.

20. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the vision of the Retrofit Strategy, that ‘York and North Yorkshire’s Buildings are Fit for Now and For the Future For All’?

X	Strongly agree
	Agree
	Neither agree nor disagree
	Disagree
	Strongly disagree

21. Please provide some detail for your answer. For example, this could include themes you think are missing from the vision.

The vision effectively captures the aim of regional retrofit.

22. To what extent do you agree with the following statement: "The six strategic priorities of Demand, Skills and Supply Chain, Finance Innovation, Programmes and Demonstrators, Data and Research, and Stakeholder Collaboration are the right areas of focus."

	Strongly agree
X	Agree
	Neither agree nor disagree
	Disagree
	Strongly disagree

23. Please provide some detail for your answer. For example, this could include any detail you think is missing from the Strategic Priorities.

The strategic priorities effectively identify areas of retrofit that require focus.

A key area that could be strengthened is ‘Stakeholder Collaboration’ It does highlight regional coordination but there is no explicit priority for supporting and enabling local infrastructure. “"Unite local organisations in their approach to retrofit and coordinate strategic delivery" – a suggestion could be an enhancement to uniting and empowering local authorities and delivery partners. This section would also benefit by including a clearer focus on ensuring inclusion and access to retrofit, particularly for vulnerable residents, those in fuel poverty, and people living in hard-to-treat homes.

24. For each of the action plans, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "The action plans cover what needs to happen to increase the pace and scale of retrofit."

	Strongly agree	Agree	Neither agree nor disagree	Disagree	Strongly disagree
Demand				X
Skills & Supply Chain		X
Finance Innovation				X
Data and Research		X
Stakeholder Collaboration		X
Programmes and Demonstrators		X

25. Please provide some detail for your answer. For example, this could include any further detail you think should be included in the action plans.

The action - Develop a York and North Yorkshire Retrofit One Stop Shop” implies a decision has already been made, which could undermine the need for proper evaluation, governance, and local input. NYC supports a joined-up approach for messaging and front-end engagement, but that any decision on structure and funding must follow a fully costed options appraisal and go through governance, the risks must be clearly set out Loss of Local Control, Unproven Value, Cost-Effectiveness and Governance - the ACTION itself should be changed to something more generic e.g. Undertake an options appraisal to explore models for delivering integrated retrofit advice and support across York and North Yorkshire

Pilot financial policyoptions for YNY - again the description for this action suggests a one stop shop will be in place can we suggest a change to aligning it to our chosen models for delivering integrated retrofit advice and support across York and North Yorkshire

Devolved Retrofit Delivery Programme - This action to devolve retrofit delivery is welcome, but it is essential that this is accompanied by additional funding, not simply a redistribution of existing resources. Spreading current funding more thinly across a wider geography risks undermining delivery capacity, slowing progress, and placing further strain on already stretched local teams.

To meet the scale and pace of retrofit required—particularly in rural and hard-to-treat areas—devolution must come with new, dedicated investment. This will ensure that local authorities can build on existing delivery infrastructure, maintain momentum, and deliver meaningful outcomes for residents.

In programmes and Demonstrators – bullet point 4 is not a challenge.

26. To what extent do you agree with the following statement: "The three outcomes of Comfort, Cost and Climate are appropriate for the Retrofit Strategy."

	Strongly agree
X	Agree
	Neither agree nor disagree
	Disagree
	Strongly disagree

27. Please provide some detail for your answer. For example, this could include any additional outcomes.

The strategy highlights that it is supporting a just transition and that interventions should be aligned with that. This is going to be very important in the retrofit space to alleviate fuel poverty, and negative health outcomes that the strategy addresses on p32. Hard to treat properties cost significantly more to retrofit. It would be welcomed if the draft Retrofit Strategy or YNYCA could lobby central government into providing additional funding for these properties that are typically in rural areas. This would help avoid large areas of the region being left behind.

The outcome labelled ‘Cost’ should be changed to ‘Economy’ to highlight the economic opportunity and reduce the emphasis on any negative perception related to costs.

28. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the evaluation indicators and metrics that have been set out?

	Strongly agree
X	Agree
	Neither agree nor disagree
	Disagree
	Strongly disagree

29. Please provide some detail for your answer. For example, you may wish to provide detail about any missing indicators.

How easy will energy consumption be to measure? While the strategy rightly highlights the role of data, it should also recognise the challenges of measuring energy use- especially in non-council owned buildings where access to reliable data is limited.

The reference to “incidents of mould” would benefit from clarification. Mould is influenced by a range of factors—ventilation, occupancy, lifestyle, building condition—and is not always directly attributable to energy efficiency or retrofit. If the intention is to highlight health impacts, it may be more meaningful to reference data on hospital admissions or GP referrals linked to damp and mould. However, gathering consistent and localised data on this is challenging. The strategy should ensure any indicators used are measurable, evidence-based, and clearly linked to retrofit outcomes.

Missing indicators: Could add the number of apprentices employed by companies working on retrofit in the supply chain.

30. Do you capture any of the following evaluation indicators at a local level?

X	CO2 emissions (tons of CO2/CO2e)
X	Energy consumption (kWh/m2/year)
X	Renewable energy production (kWh/year)
	Fuel poverty (% of households)
X	Type and number of retrofit measures (# of retrofit measures)
	% of buildings above EPC/DEC C (EPC)
X	Incidents of mould (# of incidents)
	Number of excess deaths due to extreme heat or cold (# of deaths)
	Use of warm spaces (# of users or hours used)
X	Investment in retrofit (£)
X	Jobs in retrofit (# of full time equivalent employees)
X	Growth of supply chain (# of businesses in retrofit)
X	Financial savings from retrofit (energy bills) (£)
X	Number of retrofit courses provided (# of courses)
	No my organisation doesn't capture any of the above

31. Do you have any other comments on the Strategy?

NYC have played an active role in supporting the development of the retrofit strategy and are actively delivering retrofit project across the region.

32. Over the last 5 years has your organisation delivered any retrofit activity? This can include retrofit works or supporting activities, such as advice or training.

X	Yes
	No - not yet
	No - it's not my organisation's responsibility

33. In the last 5 years how much retrofit activity has your organisation delivered? This can include retrofit works or supporting activities, such as advice or training.

Number/Metric

Number of buildings brought to EPC C or DEC C

475

Number of learners upskilled in retrofit qualifications

40

Number of people provided with advice

Other - please provide further detail in box below (including metrics in the box to the right)

Other

NYC have provided advice on retrofit but it is difficult to establish consistent figures over a five-year period due to Local Government Reorganisation. Advice is currently delivered through multiple channels – including energy advisors and enforcement teams under MEES. The strategy should recognise these limitations and support the development of consistent, coordinated reporting mechanisms across all delivery partners.

34. Would your organisation be interested in delivering further retrofit in the future?

X	Yes - Please detail any feedback in the space provided below.
	No - Please detail any feedback in the space provided below.
	Not sure - Please detail any feedback in the space provided below.

Please detail any feedback:

NYC have dedicated retrofit teams and have well established delivery models that are currently delivering retrofit measures across the region.

35. What is currently the biggest blocker or blockers to your organisation delivering more retrofit?

For example, lack of funding, lack of capacity, lack of trained staff etc.

Funding Gaps: Insufficient and short-term funding limits planning and delivery, especially for complex or hard-to-treat homes.

Workforce Shortages: Lack of trained retrofit professionals

Supply Chain Constraints: Limited local contractor capacity

Property Complexity: High numbers of pre-1919 and solid wall homes increase costs and technical challenges.

Inconsistent messaging around retrofit—particularly regarding the cost and performance of technologies like air source heat pumps (ASHPs)—is a growing barrier. Conflicting information fuels public uncertainty and hesitancy, especially around running costs and suitability. Clear, consistent, and trusted communication is essential to build confidence and drive uptake.

36. If it is mentioned, is the role of your organisation in retrofit accurately reflected in the Strategy? 

X	Yes – please provide any feedback in the space below
	No – please provide any feedback in the space below
	My organisation is not mentioned in the Strategy, but should be – please provide any feedback in the space below
	My organisation is not mentioned in the Strategy, but does not need to be

Please provide any further detail:

It is important that the retrofit strategy explicitly recognises NYC as a key delivery partner. Given the rurality, housing diversity, and operational challenges across NYC’s geography, the strategy must commit to locally tailored delivery models and funding formulas that reflect need—not just population

37. Which strategic priorities do you feel your organisation is most able to support? Please select all that apply Demand - Grow York and North Yorkshire’s market demand for retrofit at a pace and scale aligned to regional and national retrofitting and net zero targets. Skills and Supply Chain - Support the supply chain for retrofit to cope with growing demand Finance Innovation - Reduce finance as a barrier to retrofit, to ensure it does not hold back the rate of change Data and Research - Ensure a data and research driven approach to retrofit Stakeholder Collaboration – Unite local organisations in their approach to retrofit and coordinate strategic delivery Programmes and Demonstrators - Demonstrate best practice and deliver programmes that meet the pace and scale of retrofit required.

Demand – please provide any feedback in the space below

Skills and Supply Chain – please provide any feedback in the space below

Finance Innovation – please provide any feedback in the space below

Data and Research – please provide any feedback in the space below

Stakeholder collaboration – please provide any feedback in the space below

Programmes and Demonstrators – please provide any feedback in the space below

Please provide any feedback in the space below:

Most Strongly Aligned Strategic Priorities

Stakeholder Collaboration

It will be key for NYC to be involved in this as one of the large stakeholders, the frameworks will also need to align with NYC governance, policies and procedures. Conflicting approaches will put this action at risk.

The creation of a pool of knowledge and expertise would be beneficial.  This might include research institutions and other partners to develop a resource for access new research and innovation.  Maybe a biannual conference of partners (cop) with a focus on reducing carbon emissions in the built environment?

Programmes and Demonstrators

NYC is actively delivering retrofit programmes such as the Warm Homes Fund. We are also involved in the CNCF retrofit energy and air quality as a joint project with CYC and continue to take on new projects and schemes. Energy Advisors embedded in our services for private sector homes.

Demand

Can support engagement campaigns and marketing efforts to raise awareness of retrofit benefits among homeowners, landlords, and vulnerable residents.  This priority needs more emphasis in the document.  It should also include a bit more detail on financing such as community financing opportunities.

Finance Innovation

While not leading finance innovation, we are happy to support and be involved in shaping funding strategies and identifying gaps

Data and Research

We are already collaborating on retrofit impact research. The opportunity to feed into and access a shared platforms like the Retrofit Dashboard

Skills and Supply Chain

We can support local delivery and contractor onboarding, direct involvement in supply chain development via our retrofit programmes.  The Council’s Economic Development Service works to engage with businesses at a local level and can help to identify skills needs going forwards and supply chain opportunities for local businesses.

The Council (and the CA) could also ensure local procurement of suppliers both in it’s own procurement activity and that of partners

38. Is there any further feedback you wish to provide?

No

X

Yes - please detail any feedback below  To ensure the Retrofit Strategy delivers equitable outcomes and secures appropriate funding for NYC, it is essential that the final strategy explicitly recognises NYC’s role as a key delivery partner. Given the rurality, housing diversity, and operational challenges across NYC’s geography, the strategy must commit to locally tailored delivery models and funding formulas that reflect need—not just population The Strategy should probably reference new build and the need to ensure new houses are built without the need for immediate retrofit interventions. NYC are pleased that the strategy includes the Climate Adaptation Study and highlights that these outputs will be incorporated into the Retrofit Strategy.

39. You have now completed all of the questions related to organisational views on the Strategy. If you would like to answer the Strategy from the point of view of a resident, local business and/or visitor to York and North Yorkshire, please visit: www.yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk/retrofit-strategy/