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
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Title of proposal |
Community Renewal Fund – Submission to MHCLG |
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Brief description of proposal |
This report identifies a programme of projects to be submitted to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government for Community Renewal Funding |
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Directorate |
Cross Directorate. The Lead Officer is based in BES. |
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Service area |
Growth Planning and Trading Standards |
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Lead officer |
Matt O’Neill, Assistant Director, Growth Planning and Trading Standards |
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Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment |
Liz Small, Growth and Heritage Manager Mark Kibblewhite, Senior Policy Officer (Growth)
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Date impact assessment started |
25/05/2021 |
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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 Community Renewal Fund is a Government Funding Programme which can potentially award up to £3m per district in North Yorkshire. Scarborough Borough and Richmondshire Districts have been identified as ‘priority places’ within the programme. North Yorkshire County Council has been identified by Government, as a Lead Authority for the fund. The County Council would have the option to not undertake this role or not to submit a bid for funding however these options were not considered in depth in light of the opportunity to bring additional Government Funding to the County.
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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.
The community renewal fund is fully funded by the Government and does not require match funding. Having two priority places in the County means that on submission of the funding proposals NYCC will receive £40,000 from Government to cover costs of promoting and administrating the bidding process. Should grant funding be awarded to projects in North Yorkshire the Government will provide NYCC with half of the funds at commencement of the programme and half on completion.
To minimise risks to the Council those projects which receive final approval will be subject to back to back contracts which mirror the Government’s funding agreement with the Council. Any successful bids from NYCC will receive monthly monitoring and engagement in order to ensure that delivery risks are minimised.
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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 |
X |
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The Government’s prospectus for the Community Renewal Fund includes the following guidance:
Investment made under this Fund should be able to demonstrate the extent of contribution to net zero objectives or wider environmental considerations. Projects should be based on low or zero carbon best practice, adopt and support innovative clean tech where possible and support the growing skills and supply chains in support of Net Zero where possible. As a minimum, investment under this fund should meet the clean growth principle and must not conflict with the UK’s legal commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
Bids are required to undertake an EIA and have been appraised on this basis. |
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Each project that is successful in being awarded funding by MHCLG is required to undertake a detailed evaluation of outcomes and findings. Following completion of the programme overall NYCC will undertake a programme wide appraisal including an assessment of the positive environmental impacts delivered by the projects. |
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Emissions from construction |
X |
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Emissions from running of buildings |
X |
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Other |
X |
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Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic |
X |
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Reduce water consumption |
X |
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Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)
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X |
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Ensure resilience to the effects of climate change e.g. reducing flood risk, mitigating effects of drier, hotter summers |
X |
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Overall up to 28 proposals will be submitted to MHCLG for appraisal. The largest proportion of these are specifically environmental projects which include work towards habitat conservation and decarbonisation measures in the form of pilot programmes and feasibility studies. These safeguard the distinctive qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscapes and reducing or mitigating the impacts and causes of climate change are at the heart of this programme. |
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Enhance conservation and wildlife
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X |
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Safeguard the distinctive characteristics, features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape |
X |
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Other (please state below) |
X |
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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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Projects submitted as part of the Community renewal Scheme are required to meet the clean growth principle and must not conflict with the UK’s legal commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. A number of projects submitted seek to develop innovative approaches to conservation and decarbonisation.
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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.
The assessment reflects the fact that the Government requires projects submitted as part of the Community Renewal Fund to demonstrate the extent of contribution to net zero objectives or wider environmental considerations. Projects have been assessed on this basis and any projects with a negative environmental impact are excluded. Every application to the fund is required to undertake it’s own environmental impact assessment as well as undertake detailed evaluation following completion of the project. Proposals submitted have demonstrated a widespread commitment to environmental good practice and the challenges of moving towards a net zero economy. Following completion of the programme in March 2022 a wider appraisal of the environmental impacts of the programme as a whole can be undertaken.
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Sign off section
This climate change impact assessment was completed by:
Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature): Matt O’Neill, Assistant Director, Growth, Planning and Trading Standards
Date: 26 May 2021 |