Purpose

To record the officer decision to nominate named individuals to the North East, Yorkshire and Humber Regional Energy Strategic Plan (RESP) Strategic Board and Local Government Working Group.

Decision

NESO has a statutory responsibility to develop RESPs covering Scotland, Wales and nine English regions. West Yorkshire falls within the RESP area covered by the North East, Yorkshire and Humber region. The RESP is sponsored by Ofgem and the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and will be developed by NESO as the independent system planner.

RESPs will inform future electricity, gas and hydrogen network investment and will become a significant input into distribution network business planning and infrastructure investment decisions through to 2050.

As these plans are expected to shape future network investment and system development, it is important that the interests, ambitions and planned growth of West Yorkshire are reflected from the outset.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority was invited by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to nominate individuals to participate in the new governance arrangements being established to oversee the development of the RESP. Individuals are principally being sought to participate in the Strategic Board and Local Government Working Group. For the Strategic Board NESO have indicated nominations should either be director-level or above or Cabinet member or equivalent, with accountability for investment, planning or strategic decisions. With this in mind the Combined Authority is nominating Cllr. Courtney for the Strategic Board as she is acting Deputy Chair of Investment Board, supporting the strategic role of the Mayor, and Cllr. Thomson, due to her role as acting Deputy Chair of the Weaver Network Board, as substitute in the event that Cllr. Courtney is unable to attend meetings.

The Energy Policy Manager will act as the Combined Authority’s representative on the Local Government Working Group, with the Policy and Partnerships Manager – Green Economy acting as substitute in the event that the Energy Policy Manager is unable to attend meetings.

To note this decision only relates to the nominations to Strategic Board and Local Government Working Group.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 -
Option 2 -
Option 3 -