Exploring the challenges and opportunities for North Yorkshire in the current post-pandemic social, economic and environmental climate
A North Yorkshire County Council and University of York Partnership
Following a successful partnership between North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) and University of York (UoY) in 2020/21, to support the council in developing new policies to address the economic and social impacts of Covid-19 in North Yorkshire, the University was invited to work with the council on a second co-funded project.
This second project sought to further explore the challenges and opportunities for North Yorkshire in the current post-pandemic social, economic and environmental climate. Against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, the research paid particular attention to changes in the workplace, including wellbeing and digital access, as well as the economic and environmental impact of new technologies, helping inform NYCC’s strategy development and implementation.
Summaries of five of the policy briefs, four led by academic teams at the University of York and one led by a University of Edinburgh researcher, are highlighted below.
Reducing Energy Consumption in North Yorkshire County Council Offices
University of York Colleagues: Dr Gary Haq, Howard Cambridge, Stockholm Environment Institute
This research, delivered by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) was focused on the reduction in carbon emissions and in understanding the attitudes and behaviours of NYCC staff, to climate change and approaches to reducing energy consumption in the workplace.
Reducing Energy Consumption in North Yorkshire County Council Offices
Strategies for Low Carbon and High-value Economic Sectors
University of York Colleagues: Dr Luisa Huaccho Huatuco, Dr Graciela Zevallos Porles, Mr Juan Ramon Candia and Dr Ruby Christine Mathew, School for Business and Society
This work sought to explore progress by businesses towards net zero goals. It encompassed current practices, opportunities and challenges faced, enablers and barriers as well as divergences in understanding, when aiming towards a low carbon and high-value economy.
Artificial Intelligence and Automation
University of York Colleague: Professor Miles Elsden, Institute for Safe Autonomy
This work sought to establish the range of current and future technologies that might have application in the NYCC target sectors. Particular focus was given to agri-tech, manufacturing and the visitor economy. Against the pillars of social, environmental and economic sustainability, this research was focused on economic development. It explored the benefits of exploiting AI and Automation to deliver wider impacts across a range of key sectors in the region.
Mobile Access North Yorkshire: Wider Impacts
University of Edinburgh Colleague: Dr Mark Graham, Senior Economist, Data Driven Innovation Programme
Data Driven Innovation
This work sought to assess the opportunities and economic impact that could be realised from enhanced digital connectivity in rural areas, including increased applications of artificial intelligence and automation for business.
Mobile Access North Yorkshire: Wider Impacts
Increasing Affordability and Sustainability of Housing
University of York Colleagues: Professor Nicholas Pleace and Samir Belgacem, Centre for Housing Policy
This work examined the challenges and opportunities in addressing the needs for affordable and sustainable housing in North Yorkshire. It highlighted the significant barriers of land supply for new build, capital investment needed to develop new affordable and social homes and most challenging of all, retrofitting the existing housing stock in North Yorkshire.
Housing Futures in North Yorkshire
Identifying support needs in small businesses across the North Yorkshire Region
University of York Colleagues: Dr Bob Townley, Dr Jane Suter and Dr Tina Kowalski, School for Business and Society
This work sought to explore the skills and wellbeing support needs of small business owners and managers across the North Yorkshire region. The final report presents a range of findings including that small businesses (fewer than 50 employees) represent a large proportion of businesses in the region but can be hard to reach due to their size, time pressures and where they are based in a remote or rural location.
Findings from key stakeholders indicate that various NYCC departments had strong support offerings for local small businesses. However, participating small business owners/managers highlighted that there was a lack of awareness about these support provisions, with many reporting that they would be keen to find out more. Responses varied according to geographical location, with remote businesses claiming more issues with recruitment and retention of staff. Variations by sector became more apparent with regards to identifying suitable providers for more specialised training.
In terms of wellbeing support, many small businesses reported an increasing interest in this and would welcome further support in terms of how best to support their staff, and their own wellbeing. Recommendations include building awareness and increasing communication with small businesses, providing non-financial support, and building relationships with rural business communities. Specific recommendations for wellbeing support include support for prevention and management of workplace mental health, acknowledgement of the spectrum of mental health and neuro diversity, a focus on both managers and employees, and proactive signposting and promotion of credible support resources and wellbeing initiatives.
Identifying support needs in small businesses across the North Yorkshire region (PDF 
, 713kb)