Water Resources Update from Yorkshire Water
Following Yorkshire's driest spring since 1871, Yorkshire Water have been working to meet customer demand for water whilst protecting the environment for the long term. This has included reviewing and increasing river abstraction volumes and increasing leakage repair activity.
Dry weather always increases the risk of pipes leaking because as the ground dries out the material around pipes moves and causes damage. It is therefore important to notify Yorkshire Water of this so any repairs can quickly take place.
How customers can help
Small changes can make a huge difference to water consumption and help to preserve scarce supplies; from using a watering can instead of a hosepipe, to taking a shorter shower.
Yorkshire Water would like to thank everyone for their support reducing their water usage and reporting leaks. This will help protect water supplies and ensure enough water for all customers, the environment and for emergency situations like the recent moorland fires.
They are urging all partners, business customers and those responsible for land management to reduce their water usage wherever possible and to review, or put in place, resilience plans for the coming months.
Next steps
There is a risk that if the dry weather conditions continue and the high levels of demand from customers persist over the coming weeks and months, Yorkshire Water may need to ask people to stop using their hosepipes on a voluntary basis. That would be the first step before formally applying to the Environment Agency for special permits to enable Yorkshire Water to operate in ways that could have an impact on the environment, for example by abstracting additional water from rivers or not releasing what is known as compensation flows from our reservoirs.
If you have any questions, please contact George Taplin, Environmental Investigation and Engagment Lead George.Taplin@Yorkshirewater.co.uk
Government response to OEP review
On 27 February 2025, the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) published their review of implementation of the duty to have due regard to the Environmental Principles Policy Statement.
The government is required to respond to the OEP review under section 29 of the Environment Act.
The OEP’s review contains 8 recommendations for how implementation of the duty could be improved. The government have set out their response to address each recommendation.
To read the government's response to the OEP review of environmental principles in policy making, visit: Government response to OEP review: implementation of the duty to have due regard to the Environmental Principles Policy Statement - GOV.UK
The HEY LNP at Driffield Show!
Join us at this year's Driffield Show on 16th July 2025, where we will be hosting a stall alongside Changing Coasts East Riding and the Yorkshire Marine Nature Partnership.
Each year, Driffield Show celebrates Yorkshire's agricultural heritage featuring livestock displays, food stalls, and family entertainment in the heart of the East Riding.
For more information, visit: Driffield Showground, Yorkshire. England: Event Centre & Home of Driffield Show
Buglife's Bugs Matter 2025 Campaign
Once again, Buglife are calling on the public to take part in their citizen science survey, Bugs Matter.
By measuring insect splats on vehicle number plates each year, this allows conservationists to better understand our insect population trends, as well as address causes of insect loss, halt and reverse them.
To take part, please visit: Bugs Matter - Buglife
In the UK between 2021 - 2024, the number of insects sampled on vehicle number plates decreased by 63%.
To access last year's report, visit: Bugs-Matter-2024-Report.pdf
Call for Evidence: Expanding the Role of the Private Sector in Nature Recovery
DEFRA are calling on famers, land managers, as well as other corporates, investors, financial institutions and non-governmental organisations to share views on how to fairly and effectively increase the incentives for businesses to invest in nature, in line with the benefits they draw from the natural environment and the impacts they have on it.
Responses to the call for evidence will support the further development of policies to increase private sector investment in protecting and improving nature.
DEFRA are seeking views and evidence on how to increase investment in the following 6 outcomes, while managing any risks for businesses, communities or consumers:
- clean and plentiful water
- nature-based carbon reductions
- public access to nature
- flood management
- sustainable land use and food production
- international nature recovery
The call for evidence will close on 7th August 2025.
For more information, visit: Call for evidence: expanding the role of the private sector in nature recovery – Farming
Higher Level Stewardship: Increased Payment Rates
DEFRA are increasing Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) payment rates so farmers in HLS agreements can continue to restore habitats, support rare species, preserve historic features and maintain traditional landscape features in our iconic countryside.
You can view the updated rates here.
To find out more, visit: Higher Level Stewardship: increased payment rates now available – Farming
Bupa Foundation: Green Community Grants
The Bupa Foundation in partnership with Groundwork UK are delivering a Green Community Grants programme, offering up to £2,000 to charities, non-fee paying schools and not-for-profits to improve green spaces.
Examples of eligible projects include:
- Improving green spaces for community activities to improve wellbeing
- Tree planting to improve air quality and biodiversity
- A school wanting to create an outdoor classroom, forest school or natural playground
- A community group who would like to create or improve an allotment to be more sustainable and healthy
- Creation or adaptation of a green space to make it more accessible
- Creation of a ‘pocket park’, bringing more greenery into cities for wellbeing
For more information, visit: Bupa Foundation Green Community Grants
The deadline for applications is 30th June 2025.
National Lottery Awards for All England - Environment
The National Lottery Community Fund are supporting community-led projects that improve the environment and help people connect with and enjoy nature where they live.
You can use the funding to:
- start a new activity or continue an existing one
- help your organisation adapt to new challenges
- run one-off events that have a clear environmental benefit.
Eligible projects include:
- helping people connect with and care for nature in their area
- making a positive difference to the environment
Funding is suitable for voluntary, statutory or community organisations.
Funding ranges from £300 - £20,000 for up to 2 years.
The application window is open from 25th June - 17th December 2025.
For more information, visit: National Lottery Awards for All England – Environment | The National Lottery Community Fund
The Southall Trust - Environmental Action and Sustainability
The Southall Trust awards grants to charitable organisations in the UK that are focussed upon at least one of the following four areas:
- Quaker Work & Witness
- Peace & Reconciliation
- Environmental Action & Sustainability
- Social Action
The majority of grants are for one year, and for up to £5,000.
Applications are particularly welcome from:
- Projects that encourage wider support of the categories listed above
- Projects where grants of up to £5,000 will make a quantifiable difference
- Organisations that have shown creativity and innovation in their work
- Organisations that promote social justice, inclusion and diversity
- Organisations that challenge structural inequalities and injustice
- Organisations that can demonstrate clear support from the communities in which they are based and/or operate (e.g. by attracting local volunteers and/or local financial support)
- Organisations that are engaged with the communities around them (e.g. through local partnership working)
For more information, visit: What we support – The Southall Trust
The Tree Council: Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund
The Tree Council and Network Rail are once again working in partnership to support a new season of community tree planting.
Grants of between £2,500 and £10,000 are available per application.
The following groups are eligible to apply:
- Local authorities
- Charities & other NGOs
- Community groups
- Education institutions
- Individual landowners
For more information, visit: Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund - The Tree Council
Do you have any projects you wish to share with us? Want to hear more about our work? E-mail us at heylnp@eastriding.gov.uk
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