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:
To that end, North Yorkshire Council resolves to adopt the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) as a framework for informing our local authority's policies, work programs, functions, and initiatives. By doing so, we commit to aligning our strategies with the national and global agenda for sustainable development and working towards achieving these goals within our sphere of influence; thus recognising the significance of the UN SDGs as a comprehensive framework for sustainable development at the global level. We shall seek to apply the UN SDGs at the local level for the wellbeing of our residents.
The Council believes that:
The Council therefore agrees to:
By taking this step, we can also demonstrate our commitment to act at a local level whilst contributing to the global effort to achieve a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient world for future generations.
Proposer Cllr. Steve Mason
Seconder Cllr. Peter Lacey
Minutes:
The Chair, Councillor David Ireton, advised that three Notices of Motion had been submitted. The Chair confirmed that he had ruled as follows on each of the submitted motions:
(1) Increase electricity grid generation and import capacity across North Yorkshire – motion to be debated at the meeting
(2) Delays to 2030 climate change target – motion to be debated at the meeting
(3) United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – motion to be referred to the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Audit Committee
51(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
The notice of motion was moved by Councillor Steve Mason and Seconded by Councillor Bryn Griffiths.
The motion was then debated.
An amendment to the motion was then moved by Councillor Richard Foster and seconded by Councillor George Jabbour.
Following the response from Northern Power Grid to the motion
calling for increased capacity to be provided in North
Yorkshire and the work that North Yorkshire Council has
been carrying out since then, 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.
1- to follow the action plan and roadmap already set out to continue to build relations with Northern Powergrid
2- to invite representatives from the National Grid to attend a meeting of the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which would be open to all elected members, to explain the impact that their recent announcement about increased investment will have on North Yorkshire
3- to work with Northern Powergrid and the National Grid to help enable North Yorkshire to achieve its climate change goals in a reasonable and realistic manner and to increase the capacity of and connections to the electricity distribution network
The amendment was then debated.
On a vote being taken on the amendment 47 Members voted for the motion, 33 voted against and there were no abstentions.
The amendment was therefore carried and became the substantive motion.
On a vote being taken on the substantive motion 48 Members voted for the motion, 14 against and there were 18 abstentions and therefore the Chair declared the motion carried.
Resolved –
Following the response from Northern Powergrid to the motion calling for increased capacity to be provided in North Yorkshire and the work that North Yorkshire Council has been carrying out since then, this Council resolves:
1- to follow the action plan and roadmap already set out to continue to build relations with Northern Powergrid
2- to invite representatives from the National Grid to attend a meeting of the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which would be open to all elected members, to explain the impact that their recent announcement about increased investment will have on North Yorkshire
3- to work with Northern Powergrid and the National Grid to help enable North Yorkshire to achieve its climate change goals in a reasonable and realistic manner and to increase the capacity of and connections to the electricity distribution network
51(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
The notice of motion was moved by Councillor Andrewy Murday and seconded by Councillor Bryn Griffiths.
The motion was then debated.
On a vote being taken 34 Members voted for the motion, 45 voted against and there were no abstentions. The motion therefore fell.
51(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 the health and wellbeing of people that are the furthest behind.
· Engagement with the SDGs supports and complements the declaration of a climate emergency.
· The SDGs can provide councils with a framework for strategic planning, policy review and action for sustainable development – for economic progress, social justice and inclusion, protection of the climate, environment and biodiversity, and ensuring no one is left behind.
· The SDGs can help councils to foster strategic partnerships, framing joint actions and shared priorities in terms of the goals.
· The resource burden for initial engagement with the SDGs is low.
To that end, North Yorkshire Council resolves to adopt the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) as a framework for informing our local authority's policies, work programs, functions, and initiatives. By doing so, we commit to aligning our strategies with the national and global agenda for sustainable development and working towards achieving these goals within our sphere of influence; thus recognising the significance of the UN SDGs as a comprehensive framework for sustainable development at the global level. We shall seek to apply the UN SDGs at the local level for the wellbeing of our residents.
The Council believes that:
1. Adopting the UN SDGs will provide a clear direction for our local authority's policies, work programs, and initiatives, ensuring their alignment with the national and global agenda for sustainable development.
2. Emphasising the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration and partnerships will help in implementing the UN SDGs effectively.
3. Committing to regular monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of our progress towards achieving the UN SDGs is vital to engage our community in the process.
4. Encouraging cooperation and knowledge-sharing with other local authorities across the UK and world that have already adopted the UN SDGs, will help in promoting collective action and learning both locally and globally.
The Council therefore agrees to:
A. Adopt the UN SDGs as a framework for informing our local authority's policies, work programs, and initiatives.
B. Contribute to the achievement of the UN SDGs through the council strategies and developing plans.
C. Actively engage and collaborates with other local authorities, organisations, and community groups to share best practices, experiences, and lessons learned in advancing the UN SDGs.
D. Receive an annual report setting out the Council’s contributions to the global agenda for sustainable development.
By taking this step, we can also demonstrate our commitment to act at a local level whilst contributing to the global effort to achieve a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient world for future generations.
Proposer Cllr. Steve Mason
Seconder Cllr. Peter Lacey
The motion was moved and seconded and referred to the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Audit Committee.