Agenda item

The following motion proposed by Councillor Tindall and seconded by Councillor Williams, was unanimously supported:

A.        

To assist and inform the development of the new Corporate Plan for 2020 – 2025, which will outline the council’s vision and priorities for the next five years, this Council notes that –

1.         The overwhelming weight of scientific evidence pointing to dangerous man-made climate change in terms of CO2 Global Warming, loss of habitat for wildlife leading to a dramatic drop in bio-diversity, alarming consequences of the accumulation of plastic waste across the planet and the continuing unsustainable depletion of natural resources. The harmful effect that such climate change and other human impact on the planet is increasingly feeding back into our lives, eco-systems, erratic rainfall and poor air quality.

2.         The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5C published by the IPCC in October 2018 which describes the enormous harm that a 2C average rise in global temperatures is likely to cause, and advises that limiting global warming to 1.5C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society and the private sector.

3.         Local residents have been actively involved in environmental initiatives and have organised into campaign groups looking to influence all levels of government policy. DBC recognises that this is a reflection of their concerns about climate change and loss of biodiversity.

4.         UK Central Government has announced a target for net zero emissions of greenhouse gas by 2050 for the UK, and Council recognises that if this is to be achieved, immediate action and progress in advance of that schedule is required at all levels of government.

5.         Dacorum Borough Council has been working on environmental issues, based upon the "Nottingham Declaration” endorsed by Council in 2000 and in continuing to improve recycling rates.

6.         District authorities are well placed to lead the vanguard in reducing carbon emissions and protecting biodiversity, as their responsibility for planning policies and housing stock opens up a range of sustainable transport, buildings, household and commercial/community waste and energy opportunities.

7.         This Council has control over local policies and services, the Local Plan and particularly the specification of the housing stock.

B.        

In recognition of the factors noted above the Council resolves to –

1.         Join other councils at all levels of Local Government in declaring a climate emergency that requires urgent planning and action, and commits to work towards reducing carbon emissions across the full range of council activities to net zero by the end of budget year 2029/30, this to include the production of a strategy and action plan to make the activities of Dacorum Borough Council carbon neutral by 2030 in accordance with the IPCC recommendation

2.         Evaluate all practical means to reduce then impact of council services on the environment as soon as possible.

3.         Work with the established groups of Hertfordshire Public Sector Organisations to review their services and implement measures to reduce their impact on the environment and climate breakdown.

4.         Urge the two Dacorum Members of Parliament to impress upon Central Government the need for regulations and resources that will support communities to meet the goal of carbon neutrality by 2030.

5.         Ensure the new Local Plan and associated regulations when adopted contains all available measures to cut carbon emissions and reduce the impact on the environment.

6.         Having regard for the duties required under the General Fund Account and the Housing Revenue Account, and consider the use of available reserves to introduce improvements to social housing energy efficiency.

7.         Implement evolving environmental best practice wherever/whenever there is an opportunity to re-specify services at reasonable and cost-effective intervals.

8.         Engage with local residents and businesses, in all sectors of our communities to publicise this declaration and gain their active support in reducing and preventing environmental harms and tackling climate change by making wise, early, significant choices towards achieving carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability.

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Tindall and seconded by Councillor Williams:

CLIMATE CHANGE MOTION TO DACORUM BOROUGH COUNCIL

A

To assist and inform the development of the new Corporate Plan for 2020 – 2025, which will outline the council’s vision and priorities for the next five years, this Council notes that –

1. The overwhelming weight of scientific evidence pointing to dangerous man-made climate change in terms of CO2 Global Warming, loss of habitat for wildlife leading to a dramatic drop in bio-diversity, alarming consequences of the accumulation of plastic waste across the planet and the continuing unsustainable depletion of natural resources. The harmful effect that such climate change and other human impact on the planet is increasingly feeding back into our lives, eco-systems, erratic rainfall and poor air quality.

2. The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5C published by the IPCC in October 2018 which describes the enormous harm that a 2C average rise in global temperatures is likely to cause, and advises that limiting global warming to 1.5C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society and the private sector.

3. Local residents have been actively involved in environmental initiatives and have organised into campaign groups looking to influence all levels of government policy. DBC recognises that this is a reflection of their concerns about climate change and loss of biodiversity.

4. UK Central Government has announced a target for net zero emissions of greenhouse gas by 2050 for the UK, and Council recognises that if this is to be achieved, immediate action and progress in advance of that schedule is required at all levels of government.

5. Dacorum Borough Council has been working on environmental issues, based upon the "Nottingham Declaration” endorsed by Council in 2000 and in continuing to improve recycling rates.

6. District authorities are well placed to lead the vanguard in reducing carbon emissions and protecting biodiversity, as their responsibility for planning policies and housing stock opens up a range of sustainable transport, buildings, household and commercial/community waste and energy opportunities.

7. This Council has control over local policies and services, the Local Plan and particularly the specification of the housing stock.

B.

In recognition of the factors noted above the Council resolves to –

1. Join other councils at all levels of Local Government in declaring a climate emergency that requires urgent planning and action, and commits to work towards reducing carbon emissions across the full range of council activities to net zero by the end of budget year 2029/30, this to include the production of a strategy and action plan to make the activities of Dacorum Borough Council carbon neutral by 2030 in accordance with the IPCC recommendation

2. Evaluate all practical means to reduce then impact of council services on the environment as soon as possible.

3. Work with the established groups of Hertfordshire Public Sector Organisations to review their services and implement measures to reduce their impact on the environment and climate breakdown.

4. Urge the two Dacorum Members of Parliament to impress upon Central Government the need for regulations and resources that will support communities to meet the goal of carbon neutrality by 2030.

5. Ensure the new Local Plan and associated regulations when adopted contains all available measures to cut carbon emissions and reduce the impact on the environment.

6. Having regard for the duties required under the General Fund Account and the Housing Revenue Account, and consider the use of available reserves to introduce improvements to social housing energy efficiency.

7. Implement evolving environmental best practice wherever/whenever there is an opportunity to re-specify services at reasonable and cost-effective intervals.

8. Engage with local residents and businesses, in all sectors of our communities to publicise this declaration and gain their active support in reducing and preventing environmental harms and tackling climate change by making wise, early, significant choices towards achieving carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability.

Councillor Tindall read the following statement in support of the Motion:

‘This week we have been celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the moment when two human beings from our planet stood on the moon and looked at their home from 250,000 miles away.

Tonight we start a journey together to work to help save that planet, our home, from the devastating effects of climate change. It will not be easy, and we shall have to take our communities along with us and hard decisions may have to be made. We have to do this and over the next few years build upon this motion and act to ensure a future for our children and grandchildren.

I am extremely pleased and grateful that we shall be taking this journey together. It bodes well for the success of our journey that regardless of party we shall be working together. Others have been before us. Tonight we join the County Council and other Districts and Boroughs across Hertfordshire in this vital task of saving the planet that looked so beautiful on that day fifty years ago.

I particularly want to thank the Leader of the Council for seconding this motion and commend it to the whole Council.’

Councillors Ransley, England, Guest, Hobson, Stevens, Pringle, Wyatt-Lowe and Taylor made statements in support of the motion.

Councillor Williams said the Council had a good record when dealing with environmental issues and felt we have worked hard to improve our efficiency. He said we had to have a programme which our residents and community agree with but there will always be some may not be as willing to accept change. He said most people are happy with minor changes but it is the bigger changes that will take more convincing and these are the most important and will make the most impact. He felt we would need more support nationally and the Government will need to link up more effectively worldwide. He accepted responsibility as the Leader to ensure this Council takes action upon the points raised but also highlighted that everyone had a responsibility to contribute with small changes and make a difference. 

Councillor Tindall thanked everyone for their support for this joint leadership enterprise.