Agenda item

Full Council was requested to consider the recommendations of the Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee following consideration of a Notice of Motion which had been referred to it by Council at its meeting held on 13 November 2024.  The recommendations of the Committee were set out in the report of that Committee at page 79 of the agenda and were that the following motions are not supported:

i.                The Motion on Youth Council Engagement

ii.              The Motion on Community Impact Assessment

YOUTH COUNCIL ENGAGEMENT

The original motion that was to be debated is as detailed below:

Many British young people are very interested in how society should be run. In March this year, UK Youth reported, “88 per cent of young people believe it is important to have a say in the decisions politicians make about public life”. Despite this, according to an IPPR report, turnout in the 2024 general election was lowest in the constituencies with the lowest average age.

It is clear that many young people feel that most politicians, regardless of political party or lack thereof, are not interested in supporting them with the issues they face. This adversely affects their engagement in elections and the democratic process as a whole.

Children and young people are our future. Engaging them in politics is crucial to ensure the survival of institutions of this country.

Council therefore agrees to more fully involve young people in the democratic decision-making process by:

?      Inviting the Youth Assembly of North Yorkshire to prepare a single motion each year to be submitted and considered at the Full Council meeting held before the 1st of September of that year.

?      Amending the council constitution such that the motion may be proposed by the chair of the Youth Assembly.

?      Genuinely debating and considering the motion in the same way as if a North Yorkshire Councillor had proposed it.

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

1.  Goal 4: Quality Education - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

2.  Goal 5: Gender Equality - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

3.  Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities - Reduce inequality within and among countries.

4.  Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

5.  Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

Proposer Councillor Andrew Timothy

Seconder Councillor Barbara Brodigan

The motion was moved by Councillor Timothy and seconded by Councillor Brodigan.

After a lengthy debate, Councillor Timothy decided to withdraw his motion.

COMMUNITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The original motion that was to be debated is as detailed below:

Reflecting the declared intent of North Yorkshire Council to become the most local large Unitary in England, and in light of this Council adopting the United Nations Sustainability and Development Goals (SDGs) as the basis for policy development, implementation and monitoring, there is a need to ensure that any decisions made by the Council are properly weighed in the light of their potential impact on local communities (SDG goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Whilst it is acknowledged that financial, legal, equalities and climate change implications of policy changes are already a requirement in the development of policy, Council accepts that decisions should also be taken in the full knowledge of any impact on local economies and the health and wellbeing of local communities (SDG goal 3:  Good Health and Well-being), either in specific geographical locations or more generally. 

Council therefore resolves that by December 2025 it will explore and adopt appropriate means to ensure that policies and decisions made by Council are properly informed by their potential impact on local communities (SDG goal 17: Partnerships to deliver the Goals).

Council also notes that:

1. By focusing on the local impact of decisions, this motion will support the creation of inclusive, safe, and resilient communities. It ensures that development is sustainable and beneficial to residents.
2. The motion aligns with the goal of taking urgent action to combat climate.

Proposer Councillor Peter Lacey

Seconder Councillor Chris Aldred

The motion was moved by Councillor Lacey and seconded by Councillor Aldred.

The motion was then debated.

On a vote being taken on the motion, the motion was declared defeated with 28 for, 55 against, and no abstentions.