Our Monthly Feature:

Andrew Brown: North Yorkshire Councillor  

 

Following the success of Ripon Together’s Green Fair, we’re thrilled to spotlight Andrew Brown a North Yorkshire Councillor as our December feature! This monthly series highlights local eco-conscious organisations and people to keep the green momentum going year-round.

Andy Brown’s Visit to the Ripon Together Green Fair: An Advocate for Local Communities and Sustainable Futures
Ripon Together aims to encourage ECO awareness and supports steps that help Ripon to be a greener place to live with a more sustainable economy and infrastructure. We are very fortunate to be supported by our two local North Yorkshire Councillors Andrew Williams and Barbara Brodigan. In October we were joined by North Yorkshire Councillor Andy Brown at the Ripon Together Green Fair, joining local residents, environmental groups, and businesses to celebrate sustainability and green initiatives in our community. As the elected representative for the Aire Valley, Andy’s presence at the event highlights his ongoing commitment to both environmental issues and community cohesion.
 
 
Green Policies at the Heart of Our Communities

Andy Brown has long been an advocate for green policies in North Yorkshire. His support for initiatives like the Right to Grow scheme, which aims to empower community groups to cultivate food on underused council land, is an example of his aim to make North Yorkshire more sustainable and self-sufficient.

At the Ripon Together Green Fair, Andy gave a presentaion of the important green issues of our time and the need for action now. It was both engaging and thought provoking. He also engaged with local residents, businesses, and environmental activists, discussing ways to build a greener, more resilient future for our region. He believes that local communities should play a central role in sustainability efforts, whether that’s by growing food locally, reducing waste, or supporting eco-friendly businesses. His presence at the fair underscored his commitment to ensuring that North Yorkshire remains a place where green issues take centre stage in policy making.

 

Local People

Andy is known for his work to ensure that the voices of local residents are heard. Whether he’s addressing everyday issues such as road repairs or advocating for more ambitious projects like the Ripon barracks redevelopment—which he helped shape with such elements such as community facilities, social housing, and biodiversity—

His approach to planning and development, which includes ensuring that all schemes take into account the needs of the community, has been central to his work on the planning committee. Recently, he played a key role in making sure that any development proposals at Ripon Cathedral would come back before the committee for further scrutiny, ensuring the historic site and its surrounding area remain protected and properly managed.

Campaigns

Beyond his role as a councillor, Andy has been a campaigner on a variety of issues that affect the future of North Yorkshire. As part of his work on the planning committee, he has campaigned for developments that support both economic growth and environmental protection. His advocacy for measures like fixed and average speed cameras to address the problem of speeding traffic in the region has gained significant traction, especially in light of North Yorkshire being one of the last areas in the UK to adopt such measures.

Andy is also known for his work as a writer and campaigner, contributing regularly to platforms like the Yorkshire Post, where he writes about important national and local issues. From his calls for stronger climate action to his arguments against political leaders who threaten democratic values, Andy is not afraid to speak out on the issues that matter most.

Looking Ahead

Andy Brown remains a strong advocate for the people of North Yorkshire. He continues to support sustainable policies, local communities, and tries to ensure that the voices of residents are heard. His support for the Ripon Together Green Fair is an example of his ongoing work to create a future where both our environment and communities can thrive.