Agenda item

To receive a report of the Chief Executive requesting Members to consider the declaration of a climate change emergency.

The Council had before it a *report of the Chief Executive requesting Members to consider the declaration of a climate change emergency.

He outlined the contents of the report stating that Devon County Council had declared a climate emergency. They had committed to facilitating the reduction of Devon’s carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050 at the latest and had formed the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group to enable strategic partners to collaborate on producing a Devon-wide Carbon Plan.

The Chairman MOVED that:

a)    The council adopts the statement at Appendix A outlining the Devon Climate Change Declaration.

b)    The council agrees to work to the Devon-wide target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

c)    The council continues to work, through the DCERG and other mechanisms as appropriate, to collaborate on producing a Devon-wide Carbon Plan.

d)    The council directs the Environment Policy Development Group (PDG) to act as the initial owner of this policy activity within the council; with future PDG meetings considering how best to determine the council’s own policy response(s) such as may then be subsequently recommended to cabinet and council in the normal way.

Councillor L D Taylor MOVED AN AMENDMENT (on behalf of Councillor J Wright), seconded by Councillor Miss E Wainwright

This council is significantly concerned that the environmental crises must be a priority. We will aim for Mid Devon to be carbon neutral by 2030 and all decisions made by the council will be considered in light of the climate crisis.

This council will lobby central government for the finances and powers to act effectively to undertake the necessary measures to ensure the climate crises can be limited to 1.5 degrees and be carbon neutral by 2030.

 It is recommended that:

The council adopts the statement at Appendix A outlining the Devon Climate Change Declaration.

The council agrees to work to the Devon-wide target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 but will aim for Mid Devon to be carbon neutral by 2030 and all decisions made by the council will be considered in light of the climate crisis

The council continues to work, through the DCERG and other mechanisms as appropriate, to collaborate on producing a Devon-wide Carbon Plan.

This council will lobby central government for the finances and powers to act effectively to undertake the necessary measures to ensure the climate crises can be limited to 1.5 degrees and be carbon neutral by 2030

The council directs the Environment Policy Development Group (PDG) to act as the initial owner of this policy activity within the council; with future PDG meetings considering how best to determine the council’s own policy response(s) such as may then be subsequently recommended to cabinet and council in the normal way.

A debate then took place with the following issues arising:

·         The need to act now to protect children and grandchildren

·         2050 was too far away and that the amendment suggesting that Mid

Devon aim to be carbon neutral by 2030 should be supported

·         The growing support for action

·         The need for organisations as well as the public to respond to the emergency

·         The need for the Government to provide the resources and powers to address the issue

·         Planning applications on greenfield sites

·         The need for a coherent approach and the work that had already taken place by the Council with regard to solar power

·         Whether working together with other authorities on a national policy was the best way forward

·         The need to make challenging targets

·         The need for non-carbon developments and  the need for amendments to planning policy

·         Whether committee reports could have a climate change impact assessment as part of the implications at the beginning of all reports

·         The need to use local markets and encourage market traders not to provide plastic bags

Following discussion, Councillor Mrs N Woollatt then MOVED in accordance with Procedure Rule 19.4:

‘THAT the vote in respect of this item shall be by roll call’

There being more than 10 Members in favour of the PROCEDURAL MOTION that was AGREED by the Council.

Those voting FOR the AMENDMENT Councillors: G Barnell, E G Berry, W Burke, J Cairney, R J Chesterton, S J Clist, Mrs C A Collis, Mrs F J Colthorpe, D R Coren, L J Cruwys, N V Davey, W J Daw, R M Deed, R J Dolley, J M Downes, R B Evans, Mrs S Griggs, Mrs I Hill, T G Hughes, D J Knowles, F W Letch, E G Luxton, B A Moore, Miss J Norton, S J Penny, D F Pugsley, R F Radford, C R Slade, Mrs M E Squires, R L Stanley, L D Taylor, Miss E J Wainwright, B G J Warren, A White, Mrs N Woollatt and A Wyer.

The AMENDMENT was declared to have been CARRIED.

Notes: 

i)             The Council had before it questions* submitted by Councillor Mrs S Griggs in accordance with Procedure Rule 13.2 together with responses from the Cabinet Member for the Environment.

*Questions previously circulated, copy attached to minutes;

ii)            * Report previously circulated copy attached to minutes.