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24
Jul
Tories oust Harrogate councillor as climate champion
Bilton and Nidd Gorge councillor Paul Haslam has been ousted by his former Conservative colleagues as the county’s climate champion.
Cllr Haslam was appointed climate champion in May last year, when he was a member of the Conservative Party.
But he relinquished the party whip in spring to stand as an independent in the North Yorkshire mayoral election in May and the Harrogate and Knaresborough general election this month. His move further weakened the Tories' slender control on North Yorkshire Council.
Cllr Haslam was appointed climate change champion — a role which aims to encourage positive action over the climate crisis — for four years.
But the Conservatives introduced a motion at today’s North Yorkshire Council meeting in Northallerton to replace him with Cllr David Hugill, a Conservative who represents Hutton Rudby and Osmotherley.
Cllr Hugill was elected with an overwhelming majority, thanks largely to colleagues on the Conservative-controlled council.
Cllr Haslam told the meeting:
I am saddened today that this has come about for what is probably – though I’m sure they will deny it – party political reasons.
'The climate is not a party political policy'
Cllr Arnold Warneken, the Green Party councillor for Ouseburn who stood unsuccessfully against Cllr Haslam when he was elected to the climate role last year, defended his former rival. He said he brought a wealth of knowledge and experience, adding:
He’s approachable, knowledgeable, committed and I’m a bit saddended that simply because he left the administration – which was a non-political posting — that because he’s now an independent we are having this discussion.
The climate is not a party political policy bounced around, the best person for the job was selected before and I still think at the moment given the experience he’s gained in that time in the role he is still the best person for that job.
Speaking afterwards, Cllr Haslam said he was humbled by Cllr Warneken’s words and grateful for the opportunity to hold the post. But he added:
I am disappointed that tribal politics is alive and well where party loyalty is rewarded over competence — although I have a lot of time for David Hugill.
I believe engagement with farmers and food producers is vital to the security of North Yorkshire. However, one of the council’s key responsibilities is the local plan and I have directed all councillors on how they can develop a local development plan that takes into account and integrates the economy and the transport plan whilst delivering many of our climate change goals.
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