Audit Commission

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has made ‘fair’ progress, with ‘promising’ prospects for improvement in its efforts to tackle the impact of climate change locally, according to an independent report released today by the Audit Commission.

On a scale from zero to three stars the Audit Commission inspection team gave the Council a ’fair’ one star rating for its climate change mitigation and adaptation work. 

The inspection was undertaken because CO2 emissions from industrial, commercial, domestic and transport sources are high for the population size of the East Riding of Yorkshire area, and because the local strategic partnership (LSP) had not previously been sufficiently focussed on the issue.

The area, and homes within it, are at higher risk of flooding than most parts of England. A new climate change strategy was only prepared by the council in May 2010 and there had not been widespread consultation with businesses.

Inspectors found that after a slow start, the council is working hard to tackle the impact of climate change; senior officers understand the issues; and new strategies are in place. However, it needs to pick up the pace of change and develop more effective action plans to reduce CO2 emissions by 34 per cent.

Audit Commission senior manager Tim Priestley said:

'The council is providing good leadership in tackling the vital issues of climate change flooding and coastal erosion. It understands what is needed and is making progress, for example reducing its own CO2 emissions, encouraging people to use alternative transport, and working with partners locally and across boundaries. It needs to continue to grow its community leadership role and, importantly, to be clear in its climate change strategy just how it will meet the aims, and what it will cost.'

Inspectors found strengths including:

• Engagement with the community over flooding is good.
• The council has a good understanding of its own CO2 emissions, and has been effective in reducing them.
• Area-wide emissions of CO2 have come down - and faster than nationally, though from a poor starting point.

Inspectors identified weaknesses including:

• The public has not been actively engaged in developing the draft climate change strategy.
• The energy efficiency of private sector homes is poor.
• The council does not know if its climate change work is good value for money.
• There is a lack of detail to show how the 34 per cent CO2 emissions target will be met.

However, prospects for improvement are promising, because:

• Climate change is seen as important by key people in the Council.
• The Council works well with public sector partners on cross-boundary issues.
• Residents are encouraged to use alternative methods of travel.
• The Council has been successful in reducing its own emissions.
• Service plans are now addressing climate change.

Inspectors made a number of recommendations to the council, including:

• Be clear how the 34 per cent CO2 emissions target will be met, by breaking down the target across industries, sectors and areas, and include milestones.
• Improve community leadership, including appointing a lead cabinet member; better engaging with residents, businesses, staff and others; and being bolder about how housing, transport and regeneration plans can make a difference.
• Ensure it achieves value for money by developing clear evaluation and metrics to see what is being spent, and what is being achieved towards climate change targets.

Copies of the report are available from East Riding of Yorkshire Council or from the Audit Commission website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk

Notes to editors

1. The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
2. Our work across local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services means that we have a unique perspective. We promote value for money for taxpayers.
3. On 13 August 2010 the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government announced that he plans to disband the Audit Commission.  His intention is to have new arrangements in place for auditing England's public bodies by 2012/13.

For more details about the role of the Audit Commission visit www.audit-commission.gov.uk.

For a copy of the full report or further information please contact: David Rose, Regional Communications Manager, North of England on 0844 798 6654 or d-rose@audit-commission.gov.uk