Agenda item

The Council considered a report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services which provided an update following the Council declaring a Climate Change Emergency on 20 February 2019 (for copy see file of Minutes).

In moving the report, Councillor C Marshall, Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration thanked the Head of Environment and his team for the work undertaken to date.  Councillor Marshall also thanked all those who had organised the Climate Change expo and hoped Members would find the opportunity to visit, and thanked Councillor Clare, the Council’s Climate Change Champion.

The declaration by the Council of a Climate Change Emergency was a serious attempt to tackle the issue of climate change and although a lot had already been achieved since February 2019 the Council was not complacent.  However, the issue of climate change could not be addressed alone and Councillor Marshall welcomed the proposed consultation on the Climate Emergency Update Report.

In seconding the report, thanked those involved with its production, which had been done within 4¹/₂ months of the declaration in February.  Councillor Clare added that the Council would do all it could to be carbon neutral as soon as it could.

Councillor L Brown supported the plan and looked forward to the period of consultation which would improve what was already contained within it.  Redcar and Cleveland Council and Darlington Borough Council were working towards carbon neutrality before 2030 and the Council should be aspirational to emulate other councils.

Councillor Adam welcomed the report and the work done to date.  This was a significant report and the Council was showing leadership on the issue of climate change.  The Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee would play an active part in being a critical friend to any climate change policies.

Councillor R Bell, while commending the report, cautioned that some communities in his area burned coal, for example, because no other sources of fuel were available.  While the Council must do what it could, many consumer goods were produced in China with a resulting huge carbon footprint.

Councillor Tinsley welcomed the report and considered that central government needed to provide greater leadership in the field of climate change.

Councillor P Taylor welcomed the report and considered that issue of climate change should go beyond politics.

Resolved:

(i)           That the Climate Emergency Update report be noted

(ii)          That wider consultation on the measures outlined in the report, including with elected Members, take place from mid-September to the end of October to help inform an action plan to be reported to Cabinet in early 2020

(iii)         That it be noted that progress would continue to be made against several of the schemes identified in the report.