Agenda item

To consider a motion, due notice of which has been given in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

Councillor Stears-Handscomb called for a recorded vote.

 

The result of the vote was as follows:

 

For

 

Councillors: Ian Albert, Daniel Allen, Kate Aspinwall, Clare Billing, Judi Billing, Ruth Brown, Val Bryant, Paul Clark, San Collins,  Bill Davidson, George Davies, Steve Deakin-Davies, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Morgan Derbyshire, Jean Green, Gary Grindal, Simon Harwood, Terry Hone, Keith Hoskins, Mike Hughson, Tony Hunter, Steve Jarvis, David Levett, Ian Mantle, Jim McNally, Ian Moody, Gerald Morris, Michael Muir,  Lisa Nash, Sue Ngwala, Sam North, Helen Oliver, Sean Prendergast, Mike Rice, Adem Ruggiero-Cakir, Val Shanley, Carol Stanier, Martin Stears-Handscomb, Claire Strong, Kay Tart, Richard Thake, Terry Tyler and Tom Tyson.

TOTAL 43

 

Abstain

Councillor Michael Weeks

TOTAL 1

 

It was therefore:

 

RESOLVED:

 

Council notes that:

 

(a)          the recent 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report states that we have just 12 years to act on climate change if global temperature rises are to be kept within the recommended 1.5 degrees Celsius;

 

(b)          all governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the negative impacts on climate breakdown, and the governments that recognise this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies. UK county, district and city councils need to commit to aggressive reduction targets and carbon neutrality as quickly as possible;

 

(c)          districts are well placed to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions, as their responsibility for planning policies opens up a range of sustainable transport, buildings and energy opportunities;

 

In light of the above, the Council therefore agrees to:

 

(1)          Join other councils in declaring a Climate Emergency;

 

(2)          Ask the Leader to write to the Secretary of State requesting that they provide the necessary powers and resources to make local action on climate change easier;

 

(3)          Request that, in light of the IPCC report, officers review the council’s Climate Change Policy with the aim of bringing a report to Council in autumn of 2019, after consideration by Overview and Scrutiny. The review should include an action plan to achieve a target of zero carbon emissions by 2030 and proposals for regular reporting to Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the progress with the plan;

 

(4)          Ask officers to ensure that, as the Council’s policies are routinely reviewed, specific consideration is given to how policies and our related decisions and actions, affect our contribution to climate change, and where necessary, update these policies to reduce our impact wherever possible;

 

(5)          Ask officers to investigate the most appropriate training for Members and officers about how to promote carbon neutral policies for consideration by Council;

 

(6)          Continue to work with partners across the district, county and wide region to deliver widespread carbon reductions.”

 

NB: A 5 minute comfort break was taken at this point in the meeting.

Audio Recording – Start of Item – 51 minutes 9 seconds

 

Climate Emergency

 

Due notice having been given in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12, it was moved by Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg and seconded by Councillor Sue Ngwala that:

 

“Council notes that:

 

(a)          the recent 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report states that we have just 12 years to act on climate change if global temperature rises are to be kept within the recommended 1.5 degrees Celsius;

 

(b)          all governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the negative impacts on climate breakdown, and the governments that recognise this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies. UK county, district and city councils need to commit to aggressive reduction targets and carbon neutrality as quickly as possible;

 

(c)          districts are well placed to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions, as their responsibility for planning policies opens up a range of sustainable transport, buildings and energy opportunities;

 

In light of the above, the Council therefore agrees to:

 

(1)          Join other councils in declaring a Climate Emergency;

 

(2)          Ask the Leader to write to the Secretary of State requesting that they provide the necessary powers and resources to make local action on climate change easier;

 

(3)          Request that, in light of the IPCC report, officers review the council’s Climate Change Policy with the aim of bringing a report to Council in autumn of 2019, after consideration by Overview and Scrutiny. The review should include an action plan to achieve a target of zero carbon emissions by 2030 and proposals for regular reporting to Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the progress with the plan;

 

(4)          Ask officers to ensure that, as the Council’s policies are routinely reviewed, specific consideration is given to how policies and our related decisions and actions, affect our contribution to climate change, and where necessary, update these policies to reduce our impact wherever possible;

 

(5)          Ask officers to investigate the most appropriate training for Members and officers about how to promote carbon neutral policies for consideration by Council;

 

(6)          Continue to work with partners across the district, county and wide region to deliver widespread carbon reductions.”

 

Councillor Dennis-Harburg thanked the presenters of the petition on the same subject.

 

She reminded Members that the Government had now declared a Climate Emergency, although this did not negate the need for this Council to recognise the serious situation and take steps, however small, to push back against man made, accelerated climate breakdown. District Council’s are well placed to take action in terms of Planning and infrastructure development, working alongside colleagues at County, to build homes and networks fit for the future and lead by example.

 

The climate change strategy, currently being developed, must be reviewed by Overview and Scrutiny Committee and that there is a commitment to attain zero carbon emissions by 2030.

 

The following Members took part in the debate:

·                    Councillor David Levett;

·                    Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb;

·                    Councillor Steve Jarvis;

·                    Councillor Judi Billing;

·                    Councillor Paul Clark;

·                    Councillor Michael Weeks;

·                    Councillor Jim McNally.

 

Councillor Thake moved that the motion be put.

 

Councillor Stears-Handscomb called for a recorded vote.

 

The result of the vote was as follows:

 

For

 

Councillors: Ian Albert, Daniel Allen, Kate Aspinwall, Clare Billing, Judi Billing, Ruth Brown, Val Bryant, Paul Clark, Sam Collins,  Bill Davidson, George Davies, Steve Deakin-Davies, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Morgan Derbyshire, Jean Green, Gary Grindal, Simon Harwood, Terry Hone, Keith Hoskins, Mike Hughson, Tony Hunter, Steve Jarvis, David Levett, Ian Mantle, Jim McNally, Ian Moody, Gerald Morris, Michael Muir,  Lisa Nash, Sue Ngwala, Sam North, Helen Oliver, Sean Prendergast, Mike Rice, Adem Ruggiero-Cakir, Val Shanley, Carol Stanier, Martin Stears-Handscomb, Claire Strong, Kay Tart, Richard Thake, Terry Tyler and Tom Tyson.

TOTAL 43

 

Abstain

Councillor Michael Weeks

TOTAL 1

 

It was therefore:

 

RESOLVED:

 

Council notes that:

 

(a)          the recent 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report states that we have just 12 years to act on climate change if global temperature rises are to be kept within the recommended 1.5 degrees Celsius;

 

(b)          all governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the negative impacts on climate breakdown, and the governments that recognise this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies. UK county, district and city councils need to commit to aggressive reduction targets and carbon neutrality as quickly as possible;

 

(c)          districts are well placed to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions, as their responsibility for planning policies opens up a range of sustainable transport, buildings and energy opportunities;

 

In light of the above, the Council therefore agrees to:

 

(1)          Join other councils in declaring a Climate Emergency;

 

(2)          Ask the Leader to write to the Secretary of State requesting that they provide the necessary powers and resources to make local action on climate change easier;

 

(3)          Request that, in light of the IPCC report, officers review the council’s Climate Change Policy with the aim of bringing a report to Council in autumn of 2019, after consideration by Overview and Scrutiny. The review should include an action plan to achieve a target of zero carbon emissions by 2030 and proposals for regular reporting to Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the progress with the plan;

 

(4)          Ask officers to ensure that, as the Council’s policies are routinely reviewed, specific consideration is given to how policies and our related decisions and actions, affect our contribution to climate change, and where necessary, update these policies to reduce our impact wherever possible;

 

(5)          Ask officers to investigate the most appropriate training for Members and officers about how to promote carbon neutral policies for consideration by Council;

 

(6)          Continue to work with partners across the district, county and wide region to deliver widespread carbon reductions.

 

NB: A 5 minute comfort break was taken at this point in the meeting.