Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change which provided an annual update on progress of the Climate Emergency Response Plan, including an assessment of the impact COVID-19 has had on Council and countywide carbon emissions (for copy see file of minutes).

Councillor Marshall placed on record Cabinet’s thanks to staff for the work done to progress the climate emergency plan, he also thanked Councillor Clare, the Council’s Climate Change Champion, for the enormous amount of work he had personally undertaken, and he also thanked those partners, residents, schools and businesses who had contributed to the delivery of the plan.  He highlighted that the Council had been named as having the best climate action initiative in the country by the Association of Public Sector Excellence and he said the accolade was testament to all those involved. 

Durham County Council’s Climate Change Champion, Councillor Clare expressed his gratitude to Councillor Stuart Dunn for bringing about the original climate change emergency motion. He also thanked Alan Patrickson, Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change, Oliver Sherratt, Head of Environment, and Cabinet for their commitment to the cause. 

He spoke with great respect for the Council’s Low Carbon Team who had made it their mission not only to maintain, but expand the momentum of the programme during the pandemic.  He added that work will continue to embed climate action into the everyday working of Durham County Council.

Councillor Marshall complimented the work which shows the Council’s commitment to tackling climate change, and which had gained both national and international recognition.  Councillor Patterson as Rural Champion expressed her pleasure at the progress, particularly in light of the challenge of the pandemic and thanked Councillor Clare for his work, adding that she is looking forward to further updates in the future. 

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.