North Yorkshire Council
Environment Executive Members
27 February 2026
Beyond Carbon Pump Priming Budget
Report of the Climate Change Strategy Manager
1.0 PURPOSE OF REPORT
1.1 To note Beyond Carbon (BC) Budget allocation to date
1.2 To provide detail on the current bids to the Beyond Carbon Budget
1.3 To seek consultee Members’ views on the use of the fund
2.0 BACKGROUND
2.1 The Beyond Carbon Pump Priming (BCPP) budget was originally allocated £1 million revenue by NYCC Members to support operational greenhouse gas emission reduction activities. £275k has since also been transferred into the Beyond Carbon reserve from legacy reserves.
2.2 The BCPP impact report considered by the Beyond Carbon Board in January 2026 provided detail on the previous and current projects and spend. Although £1,061,208 has been allocated, some projects have not progressed, some have not required all the allocated funding and others have utilised alternative funding. The anticipated drawdown on the allocated BC projects is therefore £872,302. Consequently, the available budget is £402,698. The current budgetary position is outlined in Appendix A.
2.3 In line with the terms of reference and governance of the Beyond Carbon funding allocation, Officers make bids to the fund with project proposals which seek to support operational greenhouse gas reduction. These are reviewed and approved by the Beyond Carbon Board to progress to decision by the Assistant Director Environment and Transport in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Resources and the Executive Member for Managing our Environment.
2.4 At a recent Beyond Carbon Board, a review of the priority sectors to reduce operational carbon emissions was discussed and agreed. The main objective of the Pump Priming fund is to reduce operational carbon emissions. However, in a challenging financial climate, it is clear that each project the Council develops will more likely be approved and implemented if it adopts an ‘invest to save’ approach by:
· Seeking opportunities to reduce costs of energy consumption. Fuel (of any type) for transport, and power / utilities are clear opportunities.
· Generate an income potential. This might include a renewable energy opportunity for example.
· Improve a Council asset such that it reduces future call on resources. For example, a property or asset improvement that improves energy efficiency or resilience from extreme weather.
· Attract external investment such as grant funding to increase the ‘return on investment.’ It is worth noting that projects have to be ‘ready to bid’ for external funding opportunities which are very short timelines for notification, bidding and delivery. NYC has been successful in some cases in 25/26 for such funding, but Officers are also aware that opportunities have been missed due to lack of ‘bid ready’ schemes. This includes community asset-based funding and Department for Education funding.
3.0 REPORT
3.1 The four proposals for consideration are outlined in full in Appendix B and a summary outlined below.
3.2 Decarbonisation Audits for Library facilities - £64,000. This will produce 23 reports on the opportunities to decarbonise the library service, primarily aimed at community libraries. These are usually small scale; community managed facilities and energy costs are a key barrier to development. This service is able to access specialist cultural or community-based funding programmes for library improvements and the reports will provide a business case for such investment whilst also improving the fabric of the corporate property holding.
3.3 Solar Together - £44,212. The proposal will develop a group buying scheme that enables competitive prices on solar panels and battery storage through a ‘reverse auction’ process. It will support residents decrease energy costs whilst also providing an income to NYC.
3.4 School property decarbonisation audits £80,000. The proposal will prepare reports for up to 10 schools, prioritising grant maintained, high energy users. It will support the school maintenance budget to recommend interventions.
3.5 Corporate Property Sustainability Audits - £75,000. This will produce up to six reports for high energy using property, to outline opportunities for energy efficiency, low carbon heating, renewable energy, and storage and EVCP options. The reports will be used to produce business cases for investment options including external grant support.
3.6 Total of all bids is £263,212.
4.0 CONSULTATION
4.1 Feedback and comments on the bids has been sought from the Beyond Carbon Board on 23 January 2026 and in subsequent email approvals and the bids were approved.
4.2 The decision will be made by the Assistant Director – Environment and Transport Environmental Services, in accordance with the delegation from the Corporate Director of Environment contained within the Scheme of Sub-Delegation (to be exercised in accordance with the Financial Procedure Rules).
5.0 CONTRIBUTION TO COUNCIL PRIORITIES
5.1 The Council has declared a Climate Emergency and pledged to play its part in tackling the causes and impacts of climate change. Climate change features on the Corporate Risk Register.
5.2 The Strategy delivers and contributes to all Council Plan ambitions:
· Support thriving places and empowered communities.
· Develop more sustainable and connected places across North Yorkshire
· Ensure people of North Yorkshire and safe, health and living well
· Maximise the potential of North Yorkshire’s people and communities.
6.0 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
6.1 Bids are submitted to the Beyond Carbon Pump Priming budget following an agreed process. Therefore, no alternative options were considered.
7.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
7.1 £1 million was set aside to establish the Beyond Carbon Pump Priming budget as part of the 2021/22 NYCC budget. Further to this, £275k has been allocated to the reserve from legacy reserves following LGR.
7.2 The anticipated drawdown on the allocated BC projects to date is £872,302. Consequently, the available budget is £402,698. If all the bids in this report are approved, £263,212 will be allocated, leaving £139,486 remaining.
8.0 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
8.1 Any agreements entered in respect of the Beyond Carbon Pump Priming Budget will be prepared or reviewed and approved by the Council’s Legal Services and will be in accordance with both the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules and Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules as appropriate. If relevant and to the extent applicable, agreements will also comply with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the Procurement Act 2023 and the Subsidy Control Act 2022.
9.0 EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS
9.1 There are no anticipated equalities implications. An Equalities Impact Assessment Screening report (Appendix C).
10.0 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS
10.1 The purpose of the Beyond Carbon Pump Priming Budget is to fund activities which reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All activities are therefore designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. A Climate Change Impact Assessment is (Appendix D).
11.0 REASON FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
11.1 The recommendations will contribute towards the Council’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030.
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12.0
12.1
12.2
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RECOMMENDATIONS
That the budget position is noted.
That the Assistant Director Environment and Transport (under the Scheme of Delegation), in consultation with the Executive Member for Managing our Environment and the Executive Member for Finance and Resources, approves the proposed bids.
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APPENDICES:
Appendix A – Budgetary Position
Appendix B – Bids to the Beyond Carbon Pump Priming Budget
Appendix C – Equalities Impact
Appendix D - Climate Change Impact Assessment
Jos Holmes
Climate Change Strategy Manager
County Hall
Northallerton
27 February 2026
Author of report – Jos Holmes Climate Change Strategy Manager
Presentation of report - Jos Holmes Climate Change Strategy Manager