Agenda item

A report from Jos Holmes, Climate Change Strategy Manager was considered, providing a progress update on the Climate Change Delivery Pathway (CCDP), tracking the implementation of the overall Climate Change Strategy.

 

In introducing the report, it was noted that alternative solutions are being considered to present the visualisation of the progress of the CCDP in future updates.

 

Some of the key points highlighted in the report included:

 

·       A refresh of the regional ‘Routemap to Carbon Negative’ is being undertaken by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, following previous work by the Local Enterprise Partnership. There is currently a review of the Carbon Abatement Pathway and the Routemap itself underway, with a consultation draft to be agreed later in the year. It is planned that the committee will have the opportunity to feed in views and comments on the refreshed Routemap. 

 

·       The public and private sector housing programmes have made significant progress, with a large number of retrofits either in delivery or programmed in across the Harrogate, Selby and Richmond housing stock following a successful bid to the Social Housing Delivery Fund.

 

·       Work on an Adaptation strategy is ongoing, as it has become clear that it needs to be done on a broader scale. Officers are working with the Combined Authority, City of York Council and representatives from the protected landscapes to produce a comprehensive Climate Risk and Vulnerability report, which will conclude in early summer. A session for town and parish councils is also planned for later in the year to improve knowledge and understanding.

 

·       Work to deliver an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Rollout Strategy back in 2023 has led to a successful grant to the LEVI capital fund from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, and this work is now coming to fruition to deliver a much more comprehensive programme of electric vehicle charging points (EVCPs).

 

·       Leisure facilities decarbonisation audits have now been completed, utilising Beyond Carbon funding. This has helped to support bids for funding from the Combined Authority for renewable energy improvements.

 

·       Work to build a number of new care and support hubs across North Yorkshire, to provide care for 250 people, will include energy efficient and low carbon measures built into the developments.

 

Following this, questions raised by Elected Members was as follows:

 

·       It was asked if more EVCPs were planned to be delivered in the Whitby area. In response, it was highlighted that all the charging points were being brought together under one supplier as part of the new council. This was currently at procurement stage, and that a review of EVCP locations would follow this.

 

·       Improved signage and promotion of cycling and walking routes was requested, to get as many visitors and local residents using these, given the benefits this would lead to for the wider mental and physical health improvements and the climate change agenda.

 

·       The existing basic infrastructure for walking and cycling, particularly the width of footpaths, requires improvement. For example, grass verges and hedges are not adequately maintained, leading to narrower paths and difficulties for some residents to get around. Further information was requested on this.

 

·       Improving the access to alternative fuels was raised. In response, an ongoing community energy feasibility study was highlighted, funded through the Shared Prosperity Fund Community Climate Action Fund. This is creating an innovative business plan for a ‘local energy club’ in Settle as an initial trial, and if successful could be a blueprint for rolling out community energy buying and selling to local people, connected to the substation. It was noted that there is huge potential for small scale community energy projects across North Yorkshire, although difficulties with the smart meter technology in rural parts of the county was proving an obstacle.

 

·       A timeline for achieving the targets set out in the Delivery Pathway into future progress reports was requested, as well as the incorporation of reference to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

·       More information was sought on the Devolution Deal Net Zero Fund feasibility study into the decarbonisation of Allerton Waste Recovery Park.

 

·       The Home Upgrade Grant scheme for private sector housing operated by the Council was welcomed, particularly the estimated average energy savings per property of £770, with 63% of properties bought up to Energy Performance Certificate A-C, which were previously F to G. It was felt that the future plans in this area should be ambitious and build on the current progress.

 

·       In response to a question about reducing carbon emissions, work to reduce ‘Grey Fleet’ private car mileage for NYC business use was emphasised, alongside the production of a business case for reducing ordinary fleet vehicle mileage and transition to low carbon vehicles expected in September (using Beyond Carbon funding) and the rollout of a sustainability plan for corporate property decarbonisation. The tracking of these initiatives would form part of an improved performance management structure for the CCDP.

 

·       In response to a query, it was noted that the climate team are actively engaged in the production of the business plans for the Brierley Group companies, in particular setting out the requirements to support the overall Climate Change Strategy of the council.

 

·       The Archimedes’ Screws in North Yorkshire (examples include Ruswarp, Bainbridge and Howsham Mill) for water energy generation were asked about. In response, it is an aspiration to use Energy Generation Accelerator Programme (EGAP) funding as part of the Carbon Negative Challenge Fund from the Combined Authority to develop business plans for renewable energy generation, and small water energy generation projects is a potential use of this funding pot. Another avenue to explore the feasibility for is water source heat pumps from reservoirs and lakes.

 

·       It was noted that the ongoing work to engage schools and young people in this area is progressing, with an event held for school leaders to support the development of schools-based climate action plans.

 

·       Further information was requested on the draft ‘Food for the Future in North Yorkshire: A framework for action’ referenced in the report.

 

In the discussion of the report, a further report recommendation was put forward that officers explore the viability of providing carbon literacy training for elected members. This was supported unanimously.

 

Therefore it was resolved to:

i)    acknowledge the progress related to the implementation of the Climate Change Delivery Pathway and proposed next steps.

 

ii)   Recommend to the Corporate Director of Environment to explore the viability of providing carbon literacy training for elected members.