Andrew Jones MP: climate policy shift ‘practical and pragmatic’

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has described major changes by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to the government’s net zero policies as “practical and pragmatic”.

Mr Sunak announced at a press conference yesterday that a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars would be delayed by five years until 2035.

He also confirmed a nine-year delay in the ban on new fossil fuel heating for off-gas-grid homes to 2035.

The Prime Minister also raised the boiler upgrade grant by 50% to £7,500 to help households who want to replace their gas boilers.

Mr Sunak said the government “risks losing the consent of the British people” if it moved too fast on green policies.

In response to the changes, Conservative MP Mr Jones said the decision by Mr Sunak would still tackle the government’s net zero target.

He said:

“The most important point from the Prime Minister’s statement was that net zero by 2050 is still central to the government and is still mandated by law. I am wholly supportive of our efforts to cut carbon and protect our planet for future generations.

“Indeed, the UK has decarbonised significantly faster than all other G7 nations. Since 2010 UK carbon emissions per capita have fallen by nearly 40%, almost double the fall seen in the EU.

“This statement made two changes to the timetable for two elements of our national progress. They were practical and pragmatic.”

Mr Jones added:

“We also saw increased financial support for boiler upgrades and this comes on the back of more progress for onshore and offshore wind, plus carbon capture.

“There had been growing concern, particularly in off grid rural areas, that the rules on changing boilers were very difficult and presented many households with bills they would struggle to meet.

“It is important now to use the time to continue the national work to achieve net zero and to do this is in a way that is fair.“

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‘Rolling back commitments’

Tom Gordon

Tom Gordon

However, Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats have described the move as damaging to the UK’s reputation.

Tom Gordon, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for the constituency, said:

“What Rishi Sunak should see in front of him is the opportunity to embrace the industries of the future and protect our environment and planet for coming generations. 

“Instead he is set to on rolling back our country’s climate commitments, damaging our reputation as a global leader, and has blatant disregard for the UK car industry.”

The Stray Ferret also approached Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, Julian Smith, and Labour MP for Selby and Ainsty, which includes south Harrogate, Keir Mather, for their views on the subject but did not receive a response.

Judicial review launched against £11.2m Harrogate Station Gateway

A judicial review has today been launched against the £11.2 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme.

Planning lawyers have been instructed by Hornbeam Park Developments to challenge North Yorkshire Council‘s decision-making on several grounds.

They include the council’s alleged failure to disclose documents relating to climate change, and a failure to properly consult upon the scheme as a result.

The judicial review threatens to de-rail the controversial scheme, which would see James Street partly pedestrianised and a 300-metre section of Station Parade reduced to single lane traffic to make way for new cycling routes.

A spokesperson for Hornbeam Park Developments said:

“Residents deserve to be fully informed on a major scheme with significant environmental and economic impact on our town.

“This judicial review challenges the decision-making process and lack of crucial information provided to the public as part of previous consultations.

“The impact of this disastrous scheme will be felt across the district, but specifically on the businesses on James Street, and residents nearby. These groups should be confident the correct processes and information was provided to help inform the public. Our investigations show this is not the case, so we are challenging this”.

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Councillors approved plans to proceed with the gateway in May.

Most Liberal Democrat and all Conservative councillors on North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee supported the scheme although the Liberal Democrats later withdrew support.

Latest Station Gateway visuals which show Harrogate's James Street pedestrianised.

How James Street would look.

A statement sent today on behalf of Hornbeam Park Developments said the scheme “has proved unpopular with the majority of residents and local businesses due to potential impact on the local economy and on town centre congestion due to increased waiting times throughout the day”.

It adds:

“Redirected traffic from the town centre gyratory could also make residential streets nearby less pedestrian friendly, fuelling concerns across the town centre.”

Key climate data not released  

Today’s legal challenge claims a council-commissioned climate change appraisal, which concludes the scheme is predicted to result in an increase in 1,356 tonnes of CO2e over its lifetime, was not made available during public consultation or taken into account by the council when it decided to go ahead.

Instead, consultation materials indicated the initiative would be beneficial in terms of climate change.

The judicial review also claims a plan showing proposals for traffic regulation orders on highways such as James Street was incorrect and should have triggered a public inquiry.

The spokesperson continued:

“The decision to omit the damning independent analysis into the predicted carbon emissions of this scheme will contribute during public consultation is shocking.

“In this climate emergency, information around environmentally damaging schemes should be front-and-centre to help people appraise the scheme.

“Instead, we have a document which states that the reduction of Station Parade to one lane and the part-time pedestrianisation of James Street will reduce general traffic capacity and force drivers onto longer alternative routes – predicted to result in an increase in 1,356 tonnes of CO2e over the project’s lifetime.

“Everyone in the town wants to see improvements to the area, but it needs to have a democratic mandate that we can all get behind, and be fully thought through.”

North Yorkshire Council has been approached for comment.

Contractor sought for £3m electric vehicle charging rollout in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire Council is set to appoint a contractor to oversee a £3 million rollout of electric vehicle charging points.

The authority intends to embark on a strategy to install hundreds of charging points across the county.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways, signed off on a decision to appoint a contractor before December 2023.

In a report due before Cllr Duncan, the council said:

“Procurement needs to launch as soon as possible to enable delivery of electric vehicle charging points by the grant funding deadline.

“A delivery plan has been established and a supplier for both the electric vehicle charging points and the renewable technology must be in place no later than December 2023 to enable us to meet the programme end date.”

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The move comes as the council has predicted that 724 electric vehicle charging points will be needed across the county by 2025.

Meanwhile, 3,161 charging stations are estimated to be required by 2030.

electric vehicle charging points EV

Park View car park in Harrogate

The authority has also submitted a bid for a further £4.88 million from the governments Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure capital fund, which would help install a further 1,000 charging points.

According to the council, there are currently almost 4,000 electric vehicles registered in North Yorkshire and 225 publicly available charge points.

Cllr Greg White, executive councillor for climate change at the authority, said previously that the infrastructure is required to meet the council’s environment targets.

He said:

“The roll-out of comprehensive electric vehicle charging infrastructure is key to achieving the county’s carbon zero target.”

Harrogate district sees rise in demand for solar panels

Demand for solar panels in the Harrogate area has almost doubled in the last year as homeowners look to reduce their energy bills while helping to tackle climate change.

Rooftop solar panels that harness the power of the sun to generate renewable energy have been around for decades but with record-high energy bills they are becoming an increasingly common sight in our towns and villages.

Before installing solar panels, a developer or homeowner must first get permission from North Yorkshire Council.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service compared the number of solar-related planning applications in the first half of 2022 with 2023, in the former Harrogate district area, and found it had jumped from 27 to 57.

Experts have put the rise in popularity for solar panels down to high energy costs brought on by the war in Ukraine, which has pushed up wholesale prices.

According to the Office for National Statistics, gas and electricity prices rose by 36.2% and 17.3% in the year to June 2023. It said energy prices have been one of the largest contributors to high inflation since April 2022.

As well as reducing bills, solar panels are one way individual households can reduce carbon emissions. The Committee for Climate Change says the technology will be crucial if the UK is to meet its 2050 net zero target.

The UK experienced a heatwave in June which saw 9.3% of the country’s energy generated by solar, but the figure is likely to be lower for July due to the largely wet and overcast conditions.

Tim Larner, vice chair policy advocacy at Zero Carbon Harrogate, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:

“Zero Carbon Harrogate is delighted to note the increase in the number of planning applications with solar panels included and we congratulate those developers who are taking a sustainable and long-term approach.

“Not only does it make financial sense to include roof-mounted solar panels in all new developments, it’s also a practical response to the climate emergency.”

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It is not only homeowners who have been installing solar panels, schools including Oatlands Junior School, Harrogate Grammar School, Coppice Valley Primary School and Rossett Acre Primary School will install hundreds on their rooftops.

There has also been small-scale solar applications from farmers, with plans approved to add solar panels on top of agricultural barns in Burnt Yates, Beckwithshaw and Felliscliffe.

Mr Larner added:

“We need to be taking every opportunity to make our homes, schools, hospitals and offices more sustainable in all aspects of their construction.”

Harrogate and District Climate Change Coalition dissolves

The trustees of Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition have agreed to dissolve the organisation and continue its work through Zero Carbon Harrogate.

The coalition was set up by Harrogate Borough Council in 2019 to bring together businesses, local government and the voluntary sector and become an independent charity in 2021.

A statement today announcing the news said it would “help take the district closer to achieving a carbon net zero future”.

Several coalition trustees, including chair Danny Wild, the principal of Harrogate College, have become trustees of Zero Carbon Harrogate.

Jemima Parker, founder and chair of Zero Carbon Harrogate, said:

“This is a really exciting development for both charities and for the future of Harrogate. By coming together we can make a bigger impact in everything we do and help take the district closer to a net zero future.

“The scientific evidence is clear; we must act now to prevent the worst effects of climate change.”

Mr Wild said the move would “create a stronger voice on climate change for Harrogate”, adding:

“All trustees believe that through collaboration we can achieve more thorough local activity and be a stronger voice in North Yorkshire.

“I’m looking forward to working with ZCH over the next 12 months, as we look deliver activities that lead to a more sustainable future.”

Coalition’s short existence

The coalition had a short but rocky existence.

Set up by Harrogate Borough Council, it was rocked by the resignation in 2021 of Pat Marsh, the leader of Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, who claimed the group had been ‘plagued by inaction’.

The organisation said its acquisition of charitable status later that year put it in a strong position to “accelerate action and increase its local impact”.

This was borne out when it organised Harrogate’s first climate action festival, which included a business conference at Harrogate Convention Centre.

The coalition had 12 trustees, including representatives of Harrogate Borough Council, which ceased to exist on April 1 this year.

 

Nidderdale hosts green week events to tackle climate change

A series of environmental activities are being held in Nidderdale as part of the Great Big Green Week, which runs from June 10 to 18.

The green week, which first started in 2021, encourages community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.

Organised by the Climate Coalition, which includes organisations including the National Trust, WWF-UK and the RSPB, it sees tens of thousands of people take part in events ranging from litter picks to seaweed foraging to tackle climate change.

The activities in Nidderdale include a low impact lunch at Summerbridge Methodist Church, a biodiversity walk and talk at Bank Woods in Summerbridge, a community litter pick in Glasshouses

Make It Wild, Church in the Dale, Nidderdale Climate and Environment Group are among those organising the local events.

Details of these and other events being held during the green week are available here.

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Ripon Together puts environment on its agenda

The hot topics will be climate change and a range of environmental issues, when Ripon Together holds its first-ever Green Fair in the city on Sunday June 25.

Running from 10am until 4pm, the event will be held at Ripon Town Hall and on Market Square, where city councillor Jackie Crozier, owner of Little Bird Artisan Markets, has allocated space for a number of environmentally-focused organisations to have stalls.

Ripon Together director David Ingham, said:

“We picked the date to coincide with the market, knowing that several regular stall holders are green businesses and we hope to attract a similar or overlapping audience.”

Ripon Cathedral, the National Trust at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, are also involved in organising the fair.

A key aim of  the event is to raise awareness of the environment in Ripon and the surrounding area and how to help to look after the city’s three rivers, canal, local wildlife and green spaces, through reducing waste, collecting litter and limiting the use of plastics.

In a bid to reduce carbon emissions, there will be a focus on public transport, electric vehicles, walking and cycling more, while looking at how homes and businesses can reduce their energy use and save money.

Advice will be available on retrofit, renewable energy and insulation and visitors will be able to find out how making small changes in their daily lives can make a difference.

Mr Ingham, pointed out:

“We’d like to see what people, and especially young people, are interested in, to give or find them reliable advice and to help to achieve change.

“We are trying to provide information and opportunities and must all work together to reduce carbon emissions, have cleaner air, rivers and seas, warmer and greener homes, save money and help reverse climate change.”

Separately from the Green Fair discussions have been held with local schools about solar projects to reduce their massive energy bills.

Ripon Together has a good range of contacts with people who are involved in many established organisations and is well placed to help make the environment a priority in Ripon.

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North Yorkshire Greens accuse Tories of putting politics before climate

Green Party councillors have accused the Conservatives of putting party politics before the climate crisis following the appointment of a climate champion for North Yorkshire last week.

At a full meeting of the council in Northallerton, Conservative councillor for Bilton and Nidd Gorge, Paul Haslam and Green Party councillor for Ouseburn, Arnold Warneken made pitches about why they were best suited for the role, which involves encouraging positive action on the climate.

This led independent councillor for Filey, Sam Cross, to put forward a motion that would see the job shared, adding “the more brains fighting climate change the better”.

Councillors voted on the job share but it was narrowly defeated by 43 votes to 42 after the Conservatives, which is the largest party on the council, rejected the proposal.

Cllr Paul Haslam

Cllr Haslam then defeated Cllr Warneken by 46 to 38 in a second vote to become climate champion.

Speaking this week, Cllr Warneken said he was disappointed the Conservatives denied the job share. He said:

“Like many Greens, I am used to working alongside others and establishing good working relationships even when we disagree occasionally.

“This was a real opportunity for the ruling group to show that they want to work with others in order to help make the new council stronger. They comprehensively failed that task.”

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Before the job share vote, Cllr Gareth Dadd, the Conservative member for Thirsk, sought clarification from the senior legal officer Barry Khan on whether the arrangement would go against the council’s constitution.

Mr Khan confirmed there was nothing in the constitution to prevent the two councillors from sharing the role and the allowance that comes with it.

Cllr Kevin Foster, leader of the Green group on North Yorkshire Council, added:

“We heard from the Conservatives on numerous occasions about working in collaboration, we in the green group have always been open to working with any parties and we still stand by that.

“The green group want a new politics and want to work in a way that will take all views in to consideration. Unfortunately the Conservatives just want more of the same. The public made it clear in the last election they think politics is broken and we want to fix it. It really is sad that the Conservative thirst for power is more important than a balanced view.”

Despite Mr Khan’s comments last week, Conservative council leader, Carl Les, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he believed the constitution does not allow for two climate champions or for a job share agreement.

He added:

“It could be looked at in the future, but the opposition members were determined to push for a vote. Both candidates made speeches in favour of their suitability for the role, and I and my colleagues supported Cllr Haslam. That’s democracy in action.”

Harrogate councillor appointed county’s climate champion

Conservative councillor Paul Haslam was appointed as the North Yorkshire climate champion at a meeting yesterday.

His role will involve encouraging positive action over the climate crisis in North Yorkshire in the same week that an IPCC report said only drastic action can prevent “irrevocable damage to world.”

Cllr Haslam, who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge on North Yorkshire Council, has been a proponent of climate change policies and the need to protect the environment since becoming a councillor on the now-abolished Harrogate Borough Council in 2014. He was nominated for the climate champion role alongside Green Party member for Ouseburn, Arnold Warneken.

Councillors then made pitches about why they are best-suited before members voted again.

Cllr Warneken said:

“My adult life I’ve been campaigning for the climate.

“In my workplace, in my private life. I’ve committed my ambitions to see a better place for all of us to live. I don’t really care who saves the planet, as long as they get on with it.

“My credentials are I won’t politicise this, I will do it purely from what I think is the council’s best approach to ensure their commitment to climate change is secured. If you slice me in half, you’ll see climate change like a stick of rock.”

Cllr Haslam said:

“The fight to mitigate climate change is vital. It’s the mission of this generation.

“I’m persistent, some might say relentless. I will use this role to engage and educate the discussion around climate change and enable and empower people to fight this change.

“I believe I have the anger and courage, curiosity, and expertise, to not only champion but embed climate change in this council. For this community, this country and in a small way, the world.”

Councillors initially took a vote on the two councillors sharing the position, but it was narrowly defeated after many Conservative members voted against it.

When voting for who should take up the single role, councillors voted for Cllr Haslam by 46 to 38, with 3 abstentions.

 

Cllr Paul Haslam

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What is the council doing to tackle climate change?

Nearly all council services emit carbon emissions, from street lighting to getting rid of waste, heating schools and care homes. The council is the largest employer in North Yorkshire and is a significant landowner, which means it has the power to affect change.

In January the council published a draft climate change strategy that includes ambitions such as becoming carbon neutral by 2030, increasing walking and cycling as well as planting 37,000 hectares of new woodland by 2038.

But it has been criticised for its response to the climate crisis after it finally declared a climate emergency last year, three years later than other nearby councils in Harrogate, York and Darlington.

North Yorkshire councillors voice frustration at 20 year delay to food waste collection service

North Yorkshire Councillors have voiced frustration at proposals to delay the introduction of a separate food waste collection service for another 20 years.

The delay has happened due to the government’s failure to state how much funding it would give the service.

Several members of the council’s executive underlined that the recommendation to delay the service until up to 2043 did not reflect their determination to rapidly reduce carbon emissions.

The urgent calls for government action appear to mark a significant shift in policy for the authority. Four years ago its leadership stated it was opposed to the introduction of a separate food waste collection service.

In 2019 the council stated it did not support the separate collections as it already recovered organic matter from residual waste at the county’s Allerton Park energy-from-waste plant in a “very cost-effective way”.

When a year later, the government committed to rolling out separate household food waste collection across the country by 2023, 51% of local authorities already collected food waste separately.

A meeting of the council’s current executive heard how separate collections could realise up to a 3,300-tonne reduction in carbon emissions a year compared to the current arrangements.

By collecting food waste separately, the council could increase the amount that can be converted into green electricity using an anaerobic digester. The delay would mean the carbon equivalent of an extra 18 million kilometres of diesel car emissions every year.

Although the council has effectively been given consent by Whitehall mandarins to delay implementing one of its flagship carbon cutting schemes due to its waste disposal contract running until 2043, the authority’s executive members said they wanted the service launched long before that “backstop position”.

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However, officers told the meeting the council had received “no further clarity” over government funding for introducing the new food waste collection service, saying the authority faced a bill of anything up to £6.4m annually.

Climate change boss Cllr Greg White said while council wanted to launch the separate collections with a county-wide overhaul of bin collections in 2027, it faced “very significant additional costs” over the separate food waste service.

He said: 

“Three thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide saved is huge, significant and something we want to do, but we can’t do that – with the best will in the world – if we don’t know what it’s going to cost us and at the moment we haven’t got sufficient clarity from the government.”

Other executive members said the authority, which is already facing having to cut a 30m annual deficit, needed “crystal clear” figures from the government before it could launch separate food collections and emphasised they had been left facing a choice of cutting carbon or funding other council services.

Cllr Simon Myers said: 

“As a responsible executive what we can’t do is take a decision when we don’t know the financial consequences for our residents at a time when there are financial pressures anyway.”