Issue - decisions

As part of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s (DESNZ) Local Net Zero Accelerator Programme (LNZA), York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has been selected to deliver a pilot project with a total budget of £2m. The aim is to assess whether the Bristol City Leap model—or similar approaches—can be successfully replicated in a different location. This would help unlock capacity within local authorities to attract investment, enhance green skills, and accelerate the transition to net zero, while also sharing insights and identifying opportunities for wider replication.

The LNZA Programme was established to explore innovative delivery models that can drive local progress toward net zero by attracting large-scale commercial investment through a bundled approach. These pilots will test the appeal of such models to the investor market, with the goal of securing long-term, sustainable commercial finance—moving beyond the current reliance on one-off project funding. Lessons learned from the pilots will be widely shared to support adoption in other regions.

This decision is for CYC to accept grant funding from the LNZA programme, managed by YNYCA for the purposes of CYC providing resources to support the delivery of the project.

Initial Project Budget Allocation (see attached document)

Predicted Outcomes:
The expected outcomes of the pilot project include:
1. Improved understanding of the process to replicate the Bristol City Leap model in another place.
2. Testing of the replicability of the Bristol City Leap model, alongside other Strategic Energy Partnership models.
3. Improved readiness for York and North Yorkshire to replicate City Leap, or establish an energy partnership model.
4. Accelerated pathway for local/combined authorities to adopt the Bristol City Leap model or similar strategic energy partnership models.

Policy Context
The Council recognises its role in contributing to the UK government’s wider target to become Net Zero by 2050. However, the need for building decarbonisation to achieve the Council’s own net zero by 2030 ambition is also supported by several policies.
The Council’s 10-year Climate Change Strategy (2022-2032), sets out three key objectives for York’s buildings:
2.1 Improve energy efficiency of existing buildings
2.2 Reduce emissions from new buildings
2.3 Move away from fossil fuel heating systems

In addition, the Climate Change Strategy encourages an increase in renewable energy generation:
7.1 Increase renewable energy generation
7.2 Improve energy flexibility and storage

One of the Council’s Four Core Commitments is also Climate, which sets out the following objective for the city:
1.4. Reduce energy consumption associated with our buildings and transport systems
2.3. Increase investment in our natural assets and climate change projects
4.2. Continuously explore and accelerate our activities towards becoming a zero-carbon council, refreshing procurement policies, changing to e-fleet, retrofitting council-owned buildings and considering the impact of climate change when taking council decisions.
5.1. Develop the business case for renewable energy to support the council’s net zero commitment.
5.5. Transition to a low-carbon energy system by delivering the Local Area Energy Plan.