To consider motions of which notice has been submitted by Members in accordance with Part 4, Council Procedure Rules, Paragraph 11 of the Constitution
(a) To consider the following notice of motion received by Councillor Pearson
“Humans have already caused irreversible climate change, the impacts of which are being felt in the UK and around the world. Global temperatures have increased by 1 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels. Atmospheric CO2 levels are above 400 parts per million (ppm) and continue to rise. This far exceeds the 350 ppm deemed to be a safe level for humanity. Without more significant and sustained action, the world is set to exceed the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit between 2030 and 2040. Therefore the current UK target of net zero by 2050 is not satisfactory. It is too little too late. The increase in harm caused by a rise of 2°C rather than 1.5°C is significant. This is described by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C published in October 2018. According to the IPCC, limiting heating to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society, the private sector and local communities. The costs of failing to address this crisis will far outstrip the investments required to prevent it. Investing now will bring many benefits in the form of good jobs, breathable cities and thriving communities.
Council notes that
1. This council has declared a climate and ecological emergency;
2. Many local authorities have established Citizens’ Assemblies that are playing an important role in assisting them in their plans to achieve net zero by 2030 or before; and that
3. There is a Bill before Parliament—the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill (published as the “Climate and Ecology Bill”)—according to which the Government must develop an emergency strategy that:
a) requires that the UK plays its fair and proper role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial temperatures;
b) ensures that all the UK’s consumption emissions are accounted for;
c) includes emissions from aviation and shipping;
d) protects and restores biodiverse habitats along overseas supply chains;
e) restores and regenerates the UK’s depleted soils, wildlife habitats and species populations to healthy and robust states, maximising their capacity to absorb CO2 and their resistance to climate heating;
f) sets up an independent Citizens’ Assembly, representative of the UK’s population, to engage with Parliament and Government and help develop the emergency strategy.
Council therefore resolves to:
1. Support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill
2. Inform the local media of this decision;
3. Write to local MPs, asking them to support the Bill; and
4. Write to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support (campaign@ceebill.uk).”
(b) To consider the following notice of motion received by Councillor Mack:
“North Devon District Council fully supports the campaign to remove from sale cheap, polystyrene bodyboards. The council recognises the negative impact on the natural environment these types of bodyboards can have including the danger to wildlife and the ... view the full agenda text for item 182
Minutes:
(a) To consider the following notice of motion received by Councillor Pearson
Councillor Pearson presented her notice of motion to Council.
It was moved by Councillor Pearson and seconded by Councillor Patrinos “that Council:
1. Support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill;
2. Inform the local media of this decision;
3. Write to local MPs, asking them to support the Bill; and
4. Write to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support (campaign@ceebill.uk).”
Councillor Bulled declared a personal interest as a member of the Climate Action Team.
RESOLVED that Council:
1. Support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill;
2. Inform the local media of this decision;
3. Write to local MPs, asking them to support the Bill; and
4. Write to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support (campaign@ceebill.uk).
(b) To consider the following notice of motion received by Councillor Mack:
Councillor Mack presented his notice of motion to Council.
It was moved by Councillor Mack and seconded by Councillor Worden “that the notice of motion be referred to the Strategy and Resources Committee for consideration at its next meeting”.
Councillor Lofthouse declared a personal interest as a member of Plastic Free North Devon.
RESOLVED that the notice of motion be referred to the Strategy and Resources Committee for consideration at its next meeting.
(c) To consider the following notice of motion received by Councillor Worden
Councillor Worden presented his notice of motion to Council.
It was moved by Councillor Worden and seconded by Councillor Lofthouse
“that this Council:
1. Write to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) urging that the temporary change to the meeting rules set out in the Local Government Act 1972 be made permanent so that after May we have the flexibility to hold meetings remotely or physically or by using a combination of the two;
2. Write to our M.P., the County Council and Parish Councils asking for support for this flexible approach to council meetings;
3. Once our request is successful to explore the use of technology to develop remote meetings even more in order to attract a wider audience.”
RESOLVED that this Council:
1. Write to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) urging that the temporary change to the meeting rules set out in the Local Government Act 1972 be made permanent so that after May we have the flexibility to hold meetings remotely or physically or by using a combination of the two;
2. Write to our M.P., the County Council and Parish Councils asking for support for this flexible approach to council meetings;
3. Once our request is successful to explore the use of technology to develop remote meetings even more in order to attract a wider audience.
(d) To consider the following notice of motion received by Councillor Leaver
Councillor Leaver presented her notice of motion to Council. ... view the full minutes text for item 182