Agenda item
Urgent Notice of Motion by Councillor Yuill
That this Council:
1. Notes with great concern recent statements by Sir Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party, that a Labour UK Government would block any further oil and gas exploration and development.
2. Reaffirms the Council’s commitment to a Just Transition to Net Zero, and restates its ambition for Aberdeen to become the Net Zero capital of Europe.
3. Notes that the North Sea will continue to power the UK and Scottish energy sectors as they pioneer and innovate low-carbon energy solutions, including offshore wind and green hydrogen production, to protect and safeguard UK energy security.
4. Agrees that, if implemented, this Labour Party policy would place at risk a Just Transition to Net Zero, harm the livelihoods of energy workers, and do long-term economic damage to Aberdeen and the North East.
5. Instructs the Chief Executive to write to Sir Keir Starmer to invite him to Aberdeen to meet with the Co-Leaders, OEUK, ONE, and Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce to hear from them what the impact of the implementation of his policy announcement would be on investment by the energy sector in Aberdeen and the North East.
Minutes:
The Council had before it an urgent notice of motion by Councillor Yuill in the following terms:-
That this Council:
1. Notes with great concern recent statements by Sir Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party, that a Labour UK Government would block any further oil and gas exploration and development.
2. Reaffirms the Council’s commitment to a Just Transition to Net Zero, and restates its ambition for Aberdeen to become the Net Zero capital of Europe.
3. Notes that the North Sea will continue to power the UK and Scottish energy sectors as they pioneer and innovate low-carbon energy solutions, including offshore wind and green hydrogen production, to protect and safeguard UK energy security.
4. Agrees that, if implemented, this Labour Party policy would place at risk a Just Transition to Net Zero, harm the livelihoods of energy workers, and do long-term economic damage to Aberdeen and the North East.
5. Instructs the Chief Executive to write to Sir Keir Starmer to invite him to Aberdeen to meet with the Co-Leaders, OEUK, ONE and Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce to hear from them what the impact of the implementation of his policy announcement would be on investment by the energy sector in Aberdeen and the North East.
Councillor Yuill moved, seconded by Councillor Allard:-
That the Council approve the urgent notice of motion.
Councillor Malik moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Macdonald:-
That this Council:
1. Reaffirms the Council’s commitment to a Just Transition to Net Zero and restates its ambition for Aberdeen to become the Net Zero capital of Europe.
2. Notes that the North Sea will continue to power the UK and Scottish energy sectors as they pioneer and innovate low-carbon energy solutions, including offshore wind and green hydrogen production, to protect and safeguard UK energy security.
3. Agrees that the North Sea has and will continue to play a vital role in providing good quality jobs in Aberdeen, the North East and UK economy.
4. Agrees at the next UK election oil and gas will be at the forefront of how UK plc pays for housing, NHS and other social security payment.
5. Agrees that the SNP Scottish Government policy on oil and gas puts Aberdeen at a huge disadvantage
6. Agrees that Scotland is better off financially, socially and economically as part of the UK.
7. Instructs the Chief Executive to write to Sir Keir Starmer to invite him to meet with the Co-Leaders, OEUK, ONE, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, trade unions and climate action community groups to discuss how best to take forward the energy transition in Aberdeen and across the country.
At this juncture, the Council agreed to suspend Standing Order 40.2 to extend the length of the meeting.
On a division, there voted:-
For the motion (30) - Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Al-Samarai, Allard, Boulton, Bouse, Brooks, Hazel Cameron, Clark, Cooke, Copland, Cormie, Cross, Davidson, Fairfull, Farquhar, Greig, Henrickson, Houghton, Hutchison, MacGregor, McLellan, McLeod, McRae, Massey, Mennie, Nicoll, Radley, van Sweeden and Yuill.
For the amendment (12) - Councillors Ali, Blake, Bonsell, Crockett, Graham, Grant, Lawrence, Macdonald, Malik, Thomson, Tissera and Watson.
The Council resolved:-
to adopt the motion.