Agenda item

Motions Previously Referred to and Considered by Committees

 

Referred by Full Council on 27 June 2019 and considered by Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 3 October 2019

 

(Report attached and recommendation from Overview and Scrutiny Committee to follow, details of motion below.)

 

“This Council

 

1.    Notes that the ‘Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C’ by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in October 2018, (a) describes the enormous harm that a 2°C average rise in global temperatures is likely to cause compared with a 1.5°C rise, and (b) confirms that limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society and the private sector.

 

2.    Notes with concern that the impacts of climate change are already causing serious damage to communities both at home and abroad.

 

3.    Congratulates the government in committing the UK to legally binding targets for carbon reduction and recognises that all levels of government have a duty to act and take a lead on actions within their power.

 

4.    Recognises that a growing number of local authorities have already passed 'Climate Emergency' motions.

 

5.    Recognises that local plans need to be compliant with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which require local plans to “help to: shape places in ways that contribute to radical reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, minimise vulnerability and improve resilience...”

 

6.    Recognises it will take political will, resources and policy change to tackle climate change and that strong policies to cut emissions also have associated health, wellbeing and economic benefits.

 

We call on this council to

a.      Declare a ‘Climate Emergency’ that requires urgent and immediate action to achieve net zero carbon emissions across Ryedale by 2030

b.      Establish a Climate Change and Environment Committee (CCEC) to design the policy framework and deliver a climate emergency action plan for net zero emissions by 2030.

c.       Establish a Climate Change Partnership Working Group by autumn 2019 involving councillors, residents, community groups, academics, businesses and other relevant parties to advise the CECC

d.      Recommend that the Chief Executive employs a climate change and environment officer to work with and support councillors and officers to drive forward the climate change action plan.

e.       Ensure that all Council committees consider, in this council term, low carbon design and construction, energy efficiency and renewable energy generation as well as the impact of climate change when reviewing council policies, plans and strategies and that all approaches are in line with a shift to zero carbon by 2030

f.        Take a leadership role in offering vision, direction and support to empower residents, community groups, businesses, partner organisations and other relevant stakeholders to take appropriate action to tackle climate change”

Motions Previously Referred to and Considered by Committees

 

Referred by Full Council on 27 June 2019 and considered by Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 3 October 2019

 

The report and recommendation from Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been circulated.

 

“This Council

 

1.    Notes that the ‘Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C’ by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in October 2018, (a) describes the enormous harm that a 2°C average rise in global temperatures is likely to cause compared with a 1.5°C rise, and (b) confirms that limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society and the private sector.

 

2.    Notes with concern that the impacts of climate change are already causing serious damage to communities both at home and abroad.

 

3.    Congratulates the government in committing the UK to legally binding targets for carbon reduction and recognises that all levels of government have a duty to act and take a lead on actions within their power.

 

4.    Recognises that a growing number of local authorities have already passed 'Climate Emergency' motions.

 

5.    Recognises that local plans need to be compliant with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which require local plans to “help to: shape places in ways that contribute to radical reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, minimise vulnerability and improve resilience...”

 

6.    Recognises it will take political will, resources and policy change to tackle climate change and that strong policies to cut emissions also have associated health, wellbeing and economic benefits.

 

We call on this council to

a.      Declare a ‘Climate Emergency’ that requires urgent and immediate action to achieve net zero carbon emissions across Ryedale by 2030

b.      Establish a Climate Change and Environment Committee (CCEC) to design the policy framework and deliver a climate emergency action plan for net zero emissions by 2030.

c.       Establish a Climate Change Partnership Working Group by autumn 2019 involving councillors, residents, community groups, academics, businesses and other relevant parties to advise the CECC

d.      Recommend that the Chief Executive employs a climate change and environment officer to work with and support councillors and officers to drive forward the climate change action plan.

e.      Ensure that all Council committees consider, in this council term, low carbon design and construction, energy efficiency and renewable energy generation as well as the impact of climate change when reviewing council policies, plans and strategies and that all approaches are in line with a shift to zero carbon by 2030

f.        Take a leadership role in offering vision, direction and support to empower residents, community groups, businesses, partner organisations and other relevant stakeholders to take appropriate action to tackle climate change”

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Delaney and seconded by Councillor Duncan:

 

To delete a – f and replace with;

 

This Council

 

          i.       Supports the comprehensive steps within the Climate Change Action Plan as a constructive means of reducing our carbon footprint in line with government targets

 

         ii.       Requests the Chief Executive to ensure the Council has appropriate staff capacity to deliver the Climate Change Action Plan.

 

        iii.       Requests a report be presented to Policy and Resources, at least every six months, containing an update on the delivery of the Climate Change Action Plan along with details of any new climate change initiatives for the committee’s consideration

 

        iv.       Expects the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to use its powers to hold Policy and Resources to account and support it in ensuring the Council delivers the Climate Change Action Plan

 

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was carried.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Mason and seconded by Councillor Keal:

 

Insert the following before point “i”:

 

We call on this Council to declare a “Climate Emergency” in line with, and as a minimum the government’s own legally binding net-zero targets and, as a matter of urgency, commit to actions to help achieve these targets across Ryedale.

 

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was carried.

 

Recorded vote

For – Councillors Cleary, Arnold, Burr, Cussons, Delaney, Docwra, Duncan, Garbutt Moore, Graham, Hope, Keal, Oxley, Mackenzie, Mason, Middleton, Raper, Riby and Thackray

 

Abstentions – Councillors J Andrews, Brackstone, Clark, Potter and Wass

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Keal and seconded by Councillor Mason:

 

Replace “ii” with

 

c) Recommends that the Chief Executive provide officer capacity to work with and support councillors and officers to drive forward the climate change action plan and if deemed necessary, employ a dedicated Climate Change and Environment officer as part of the current re-structure plans within staff teams.

 

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was carried.

 

It was moved by Councillor Duncan and seconded by Councillor Delaney that the question now be put.

 

Upon being put to the vote the question was put.

 

Upon being put to the vote, the substantive motion was carried.

 

Resolved

 

This Council

 

1.    Notes that the ‘Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C’ by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in October 2018, (a) describes the enormous harm that a 2°C average rise in global temperatures is likely to cause compared with a 1.5°C rise, and (b) confirms that limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society and the private sector.

 

2.    Notes with concern that the impacts of climate change are already causing serious damage to communities both at home and abroad.

 

3.    Congratulates the government in committing the UK to legally binding targets for carbon reduction and recognises that all levels of government have a duty to act and take a lead on actions within their power.

 

4.    Recognises that a growing number of local authorities have already passed 'Climate Emergency' motions.

 

5.    Recognises that local plans need to be compliant with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which require local plans to “help to: shape places in ways that contribute to radical reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, minimise vulnerability and improve resilience...”

 

6.    Recognises it will take political will, resources and policy change to tackle climate change and that strong policies to cut emissions also have associated health, wellbeing and economic benefits.

 

We call on this Council to declare a “Climate Emergency” in line with, and as a minimum the government’s own legally binding net-zero targets and, as a matter of urgency, commit to actions to help achieve these targets across Ryedale.

 

This Council

 

      i.        Supports the comprehensive steps within the Climate Change Action Plan as a constructive means of reducing our carbon footprint in line with government targets

 

    ii.        Recommends that the Chief Executive provide officer capacity to work with and support councillors and officers to drive forward the climate change action plan and if deemed necessary, employ a dedicated Climate Change and Environment officer as part of the current re-structure plans within staff teams.

 

   iii.        Requests a report be presented to Policy and Resources, at least every six months, containing an update on the delivery of the Climate Change Action Plan along with details of any new climate change initiatives for the committee’s consideration

 

   iv.        Expects the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to use its powers to hold Policy and Resources to account and support it in ensuring the Council delivers the Climate Change Action Plan

 

Voting Record

19 For

5 Against