NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
18 MAY 2022
This statement covers the period from the meeting of the County Council on 16 February 2022 to the County Council elections on 5 May 2022
STATEMENT OF THE OPEN TO BUSINESS PORTFOLIO HOLDER COUNTY COUNCILLOR
DEREK BASTIMAN (INCLUDING GROWTH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING, WASTE MANAGEMENT, TRADING STANDARDS AND BUSINESS RELATIONS)
Growth and Heritage Services
Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
In 2021-22, the Howardian Hills AONB team distributed over £68,000 of core funding to local natural environment, historic environment, sustainable development and rural economy projects and over £157,000 of Farming in Protected Landscapes programme funding to support landowner and farmer projects on themes of climate change, nature, people and place (exceeding the provisional figure of £124,000).
Defra has confirmed a raise in their protected landscapes core funding of 14.7% over the 2021-22 baseline, expected to continue for the next three years. This provides additional funding to Nidderdale, Forest of Bowland and the Howardian Hills AONB. The 2022-23 Howardian Hills AONB Farming in Protected Landscapes programme has approx. £144,000 of project funding available.
Planning Services
The Minerals and Waste Joint Plan produced in partnership between ourselves, the City of York Council and the North York Moors National Park Authority was approved for adoption by Council on 16 February 2022 having been developed over several years after extensive public consultation and a Government Inspector’s Examination. The period for any legal challenge has now expired and it is therefore our adopted Plan for minerals and waste development moving forward.
This new Plan updates and strengthens previous policies, incorporates legislative changes and sets out the considerations to be taken into account when dealing with applications for further sites for minerals and waste-related developments within the Plan area to ensure the Council fulfils its statutory duties.
Food, Farming and Health
Animal Health & Welfare
The service continues to receive reports of suspect Avian Influenza outbreaks in the county. Notifications of two suspect cases on separate poultry premises were received in the week commencing 4 April 2022. Thankfully these both proved to be negative, however responding to these notifications places additional pressures on the Service and the constant need to be in a “state of readiness” to respond.
An unintended consequence of the war in Ukraine has placed further resource pressures on the Service in respect to the potential for illegally imported pets. Pets are being re-homed in the UK without always following the strict UK importation and quarantine rules. The Service is having to respond to notifications received of alleged illegal pet importations and undertake enquiries and visits.
Public Health SLA Delivery
Trading Standards recognises the dangers of alcohol misuse and as an established partner, continues to contribute to the local Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPs). To date, four groups have been set up in the Scarborough, Richmondshire, Filey and Ripon areas. The plan is to create further groups across the County.
Each group brings together and supports local partnerships of councils, police, retailers, schools, health providers and community groups to reduce alcohol harm amongst young people, to improve health and wellbeing and enhance local communities. Officers are currently working with retailers in each of the four areas to ensure they have appropriate age verification procedures in place. The Service will test the effectiveness of the retailer’s procedures by attempting informal underage sales at these premises in due course.
Waste Management
The waste service continues to engage with Government to help shape major reforms to the waste management sector, by preparing responses to a number of significant policy consultations:
· overhaul of the waste carriers, brokers and dealers regime and the approach to digital waste tracking
· proposed waste targets arising from the Environment Act
· technical consultation on removal of charges at Household Recycling Centres (HWRCs) for DIY waste, and a call for evidence on HWRC booking systems; and
· proposed inclusion of Energy from Waste (EFWs) in an Emissions Trading Scheme.
Government has responded to the consultation on Extended Producer Responsibility. Further responses are expected regarding consistent collections and Deposit Return Schemes. In the meantime, work continues with partners to establish how to meet new obligations and deliver best value to residents.
Public engagement is getting back to pre-pandemic levels with the North Yorkshire Rotters attending markets, events and school workshops to encourage home composting, including events at Royal Horticultural Society, Harlow Carr and a climate action event at Northallerton Town Hall. Promotion of Love Food Hate Waste through cookery demonstrations and raising awareness of recycling initiatives is helping to reach out to residents and community groups.
COUNTY COUNCILLOR DEREK BASTIMAN