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.