Agenda

To move that the Minutes of the Quarterly Meeting held on 19 July 2023, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any correspondence, communication or other business brought forward by the direction of the Chairman of the Council.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice and provided the text to Barry Khan, Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services – email: barry.khan@northyorks.gov.uk or in writing to Barry Khan, Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services, County Hall, Northallerton DL7 8AD by midday on Friday, 10 November 2023.  Each speaker should limit themselves to 3 minutes on any item.

If you are exercising your right to speak at this meeting, but do not wish to be recorded, please inform the Chairman who will instruct anyone who may be taking a recording to cease while you speak.

·         Proposed amendment to the Pay Policy

·         Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2024/25

Consideration of proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution.  Subject to any comments Members may have, to approve the proposed amendments to the Constitution.

To consider and adopt an Economic Development Strategy for North Yorkshire.

To consider the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel for 2024/25.

·         Annual Report

·         Annual Report

1)         Increase electricity grid generation and import capacity across North Yorkshire

Following the response from Northern Power Grid to the motion calling for increased capacity to be provided in North Yorkshire, this council resolves to follow up with a request for further information, action plans and a roadmap for delivery to increase electricity grid generation and import capacity across North Yorkshire from Northern Power Grid, National Grid and Ofgem.

Furthermore, this council will write to the relevant Minister at the Dept of Energy Security and Net Zero to register our serious concerns on the issue and request information on government support for immediate action to resolve the issue.

Proposer: Councillor Steve Mason

Seconder: Councillor Bryn Griffiths

2)         Delays to 2030 climate change target

This council notes with regret, the watering down of net zero targets, announced recently by the Prime Minister, including delaying the ban on petrol and diesel cars and other measures beyond 2030. This council believes that delays to 2030 target implementation will impact adversely on the national net zero target date of 2050, and will stall the overarching direction of travel and opportunities for action to tackle climate change across North Yorkshire and achieve net zero by 2034, as identified by this council in its climate change strategy.

The council resolves to write to the minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Right Honourable Graham Stuart MP, expressing our concerns that these proposals will make the council’s climate change strategy more difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.

Proposer: Councillor Andrew Murday

Seconder: Councillor Bryn Griffiths.

3)      United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Background - the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are a set of 17 goals that aim to address global challenges and foster sustainable development worldwide. These goals cover a range of issues, including strong economic growth, strong institutions, poverty eradication, equality, clean energy, climate action, and nature protections, among others.

Motion to Council - A more equitable, sustainable, and resilient North Yorkshire

This Council notes with concern the recent Special Report from the United Nations Secretary General – “Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals: towards a rescue plan for people and planet“-  published in July 2023 to mark the midpoint between 2015 and the delivery date of 2030.

The Secretary General finds that “… many of the Goals are moderately to severely off track and puts forward five major recommendations to rescue the Goals and accelerate implementation between now and 2030.”

This Council notes the third of those recommendations, calling upon Governments to “… strengthen national and subnational capacity, accountability and public institutions to deliver accelerated progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”  Furthermore, this council recognises the main reasons of the Local Government Association as to why councils should investigate and implement the UNSDGs:

• Making progress towards these comprehensive and universal global goals by 2030 will depend on action at the local level, and councils are key actors at that level.
• The SDGs can help focus efforts on  ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.