Decision details

Mr G. Curry, addressed Council.

Councillor Leaver presented her notice of motion to Council.

It was moved by Councillor Leaver and seconded by Councillor Worden that “This Council reaffirms its recognition of the scale and urgency of the global challenge from climate change, as documented by the latest Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and declares a climate emergency; and agrees to set up a climate change working party to investigate and recommend an action plan of what further corporate approaches can be taken to facilitate stronger action through collaboration at a strategic, community and individual level.  To this end this Council will work with the County Council and partners across the county and region to implement best practice methods to limit Global Warming to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius.  Furthermore this Council calls on Westminster to provide the powers and resources to enable North Devon to work towards becoming carbon neutral as soon as possible bearing in mind the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s target of 2030.”

Councillor Pearson recommended amending the notice of motion to include “declares a climate and biodiversityemergency”.

Councillors Leaver and Worden agreed to take the amendment on board in the notice of motion.

Council considered a report by the Chief Executive (circulated previously) regarding signing up to the joint Climate Change declaration.  He advised that all Districts, Parishes and Communities needed to take part and sign up to the Climate Change declaration.  There was a need to replicate the Plastic Free consortium model for Climate Change to engage with community groups and businesses.

Councillor Tucker suggested that Climate Change be included on the agenda for the next meeting of the Parish Forum.

It was moved by Councillor Crabb and seconded by Councillor Leaver that recommendations 2.1 and 2.2 be adopted subject to an additional recommendation being included stating “that in implementing the declaration of climate change that the costs of any measures be identified.”