(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 ocean.  We fully endorse renting, as opposed to purchasing, of a bodyboard for occasional personal use. We recognise the reduction in raw materials needed for manufacturing and understand the reduction in carbon footprint this also offers. 

As a Council we commit to writing to all national supermarkets within our area requesting they immediately remove from sale cheap, polystyrene bodyboards.

We will, where feasible, support the zero charge hire of bodyboards to remove financial barriers in front of those facing financial hardship.”

(c) To consider the following notice of motion received by Councillor Worden

The introduction of virtual meetings as a result of the coronavirus pandemic has proved to be a success and has brought many advantages. Initially some found it strange getting used to using Teams or Zoom but it has enabled the work of the Council to continue during difficult times. Councillors have quickly got used to the new etiquette and the debate is as lively and informative as ever.

On occasions face to face meetings would have been preferred but this council notes the advantages of being able to have remote meetings.

1.    Many of North Devon’s councillors live quite a distance from Barnstaple. For some it is an hour and a half round trip to attend a committee meeting. It isn’t always easy, particularly during winter time to attend all the meetings because of inclement weather and work commitments. Often there are meetings in the morning, afternoon and evening with some time in-between. That time is not wasted if members are able to attend remotely from home.

2.    NDC has declared a climate emergency and by attending meetings via Teams or Zoom we are not driving and using non-renewal resources but are cutting down on our carbon footprint – a priority of this council.

3.    Virtual meetings have saved the council a considerable amount of money during this financial year as, for example, travel expenses have been very much reduced. As we are facing a significant short fall in funding for the foreseeable future any saving is helpful. 

4.    Councillors wish to attend the NDC committees but are also keen to attend meetings of the Parish Councils within their wards.  Some are also County Councillors and inevitably there is often a clash of dates.  This means that councillors have to choose which to attend. The result is less engagement with the District Council, or the County Council or the Parish Councils.  Having remote meetings means that councillors can more easily attend most of the meetings, to the advantage of all the councils.

5.    The engagement of the public and press has also generally increased (the exception probably being the planning committee). The level of reporting about council business has increased as physical meetings no longer attracted the local press due to cutbacks in their staff.

6.    For some councillors who have work commitments, mobility issues or are carers remote meetings have been easier for them to attend. This may well help to attract a wider age range of potential councillors in future elections.

This Council would like to have the flexibility to hold remote and physical meetings.  We recognise that some meetings are better dealt with physically and we also recognise that perhaps a hybrid model could also work successfully. 

This Council resolves to:

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

Many of us will have spoken to residents over the last few months who have commented on how dramatically litter levels declined during the national lockdown.  However, litter is again becoming a common issue in parks and on footpaths and cycleways.  The council staff have been doing an amazing job of making sure that all our domestic waste and recycling continues to be collected.  At the same time, the service has not been able to work at full capacity due to a number of waste and recycling staff testing positive for coronavirus, and teams have needed to self isolate to keep themselves, their families and residents safe.  Therefore, all of us must play our part in preventing the build up of litter in our communities, which is not only unsightly but can present health risks. 

North Devon Council is committed to tackling litter in our District and to working for cleaner streets and public spaces across our communities.

Council notes that:

·       The Keep Britain Tidy Campaign offers local authorities the opportunity to become a member of a Network, which provides access to specialist advice and support.

·       The campaign is also promoting a Love Parks campaign and a Charity Bin sponsorship scheme whereby the monies raised from recycling cans deposited in designated local authority bins is contributed to local charities.

·       Several national supermarket chains are now operating trials of reverse vending machines, where customers are rewarded for returning used cans and bottles for recycling.

·       The Government department DEFRA has also previously published a voluntary code for local businesses and local business partnerships to sign up to and reduce the litter that results from fast food businesses.

·       Individuals and local groups such as Plastic Free North Devon have taken the initiative and organised a number of litter picks in parks, on the Tarka Trail and on beaches.

Council recognises that:

·       Whilst we are committed to tackling litter in our District, and to working for cleaner streets and public spaces across our communities, we cannot do this alone.

·       In the battle for cleaner streets and public spaces, we must involve the public and our business partners in a co-operative effort.

·       There are community champions and organisations commendably ‘doing their bit’ and we appreciate their efforts.

·       The Keep Britain Tidy and DEFRA initiatives provide extra opportunities and an extra incentive for members of the public and business partners to become actively engaged and empowered in tackling the litter which unless cleared blights our streets.

·       In doing their bit, residents and business help the Council to make the streets, beaches, parks and public amenities of North Devon cleaner and inviting to residents and visitors.

Council resolves to:

·       Promote participation in litter prevention activities to members of the public, community, faith and youth groups, and businesses through our social media, website and existing email-outs to partners.

·       Ask the Strategy & Resources Committee to examine the merits of becoming a local authority member of the Keep Britain Tidy Network, and identify which of the campaign’s initiatives, including Love Parks and Charity Bins, could be introduced in the District.

·       Ask the Chief Executive to write to national supermarket chains with stores in this District asking them to consider North Devon as the location for a future trial of a reverse vending machines.

·       Promote take up of the DEFRA voluntary code amongst our fast food businesses and local business partnerships and seek their sponsorship for the introduction of a Charity Bin scheme and for public education programmes.

(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.

Councillor Worden suggested that the notice of motion be referred to the Strategy and Resources Committee at its next meeting so that the issue was discussed alongside the Council’s proposed litter strategy.

It was moved by Councillor Leaver and seconded by Councillor Biederman “that the notice of motion be referred to the Strategy and Resources Committee for consideration”.

RESOLVED that the notice of motion be referred to the Strategy and Resources Committee for consideration.