Dear Melsonby Parish Councillors,

Ref: Richmondshire Environment and Climate Action Partnership Group

We are writing to ensure that your Parish Council is aware of the formation of a new district-wide group that has been set up in response to the Environment and Climate Emergency declared by Richmondshire District Council in 2019.

Launched on 24th March 2021, the Partnership Group is formed largely of interested parties from the community; business, agriculture, local residents, and some technical experts. Although autonomous, it is supported by the District Council, and several councillors and officers have volunteered to be active participants.

The work of the Partnership Group is centred upon contributing to the objective of achieving net-zero carbon across Richmondshire by 2030, and its activities are initially divided into six workstreams;

• Domestic Decarbonisation
• Transport and Travel
• Business and Commercial Decarbonisation
• Rural Land Management, Farming and Carbon Sequestration
• Small Scale Community Projects
• Planning and Urban Land Management

The Partnership is actively seeking workstream volunteers to participate in developing and implementing initiatives, and is keen to embrace representation from as many communities across Richmondshire as possible. Indeed, we are also enthusiastic to connect with, support and share more widely any pre-existing environment, ecology and carbon management projects. No special skills are required, but the contribution of ideas, a bit of time and some collective work will be integral components to achieving our goals.

We would be welcome your council sharing details of this initiative with your community, but please feel free to contact us via info@richmondshireclimateaction.org for further information or to arrange a discussion.

Yours faithfully

Cllr. Philip Wicks, Chair                                   Mike Sparrow, Deputy Chair