NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL

24 July 2024

STATEMENT OF COUNCILLOR CARL LES

The Woodsmith Mine

The slowdown in drilling operations at the mine is of great concern both to the local economy, but especially to the workers employed there, either by the company itself or its many sub-contractors. I hope Members are reassured following Nic Harne`s e mail to all Members on 20 June that we the Council will do everything we can, in conjunction with all other agencies and partners, to support workers through this difficult time, and also to provide ongoing encouragement to the company to come back to a position that will benefit not only the local economy but the national one as well.

General Election

Many if not all of us will have played our parts in the Election. Whilst it may not have produced a result all of us welcome (!), there is no doubt that the Labour Party has gained a huge majority in Parliament, and will be able to follow a legislative programme of its choosing.

We will study the 35 Bills said to be included in the King`s Speech to assess what impact they will have on us, especially the Taking Back Control Bill, promoted by the recently renamed MHCLG. Speculation abounds about other Bills and their contents, but we will analyse them, no doubt through seminars and scrutiny, and take Executive action. Whatever Government is in power it is the duty of local government to work with that government.

One thing that is abundantly clear is that more powers will be devolved to elected Mayors, continuing a process of decentralisation started by the previous administration, so we will continue to play our part in the Mayoral Combined Authority for the benefit of all the residents in York & North Yorkshire. There is a meeting of the MCA two days before this Council meeting. The preparation is over, now we start to take investment decisions.

Craven Museum

I was delighted to learn of the success of Craven Museum in the finals of the competition. Their win of a prize of £15,000, though not the top prize, was still highly creditable against very serious competition. Congratulations to them all, and I`m pleased that we have been able to capitalise on the investment made by the legacy Council, Craven District. 

COUNCILLOR CARL LES