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City of York Council |
Committee Minutes |
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Meeting |
Decision Session - Combined Executive Member Decision Session |
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Date |
5 May 2026 |
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Present |
Councillor Kent (Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency) |
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Apologies |
None |
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1. Appointing a Chair (10:00am)
Cllr Kent was appointed as Chair for the Decision Session.
2. Apologies for Absence (10:00am)
There were no apologies for absence.
3. Declarations of Interest (10:00am)
The Executive Member was invited to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests, or any disclosable pecuniary interests that they might have in respect of business on the agenda. None were declared.
4. Public Participation (10:00am)
It was noted that there had been no one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.
Flick Williams spoke on agenda item 6 Energy Independence. She noted that she had photo voltaic (PV) panels installed on her property in 2011. She expressed concern that because there were not enough rooftops for PV panels, land would be taken from agricultural sites for solar parks. She noted her concerns regarding the project for energy independence.
5. Minutes (10:04am)
Resolved: That the approval of the minutes held on 14 April 2026 be deferred until the next Combined Decision Session.
6. Energy Independence (10:04am)
The Executive Member considered a report that explored the potential for York to achieve energy independence through a combination of energy efficiency and new renewable generation. The report also considered the associated benefits, challenges, progress to date and required future activity to meet energy independence. The Chief Strategy Officer outlined the report. She explained that energy independence had its opportunities and challenges, which she detailed. She noted that York had the opportunity to move towards energy independence, and she explained the project pipeline.
The Executive Member welcomed the report. She noted the associated risks for energy independence and the need to have the right developments in the right places. She noted a number of projects that had been completed since 2023 and future planned activities. She observed the map for ground mounted solar as being indicative only and the commitment to the local nature recovery strategy. She highlighted the government Warm Homes Plan and noted where energy support could be sought from residents. She then:
Resolved:
i. That the goal for York to become the UK’s first net exporter of renewable energy, associated challenges, progress to date and planned activity be noted.
ii. That approval be given to accept grant funding from the Mayoral Combined Authority to:
· Complete a full business case for a Green Energy Park at Harewood Whin (£200k)
· Complete a techno-economic feasibility study for a city centre heat network (£100k)
· Provide staff capacity to support delivery of the Energy Generation
Reason: To make York able to meet its energy needs entirely through local generation, without relying on external sources.
Cllr Kent, Chair
[The meeting started at 10.00 am and finished at 10.13 am].