To consider the attached motion, notice of which has been given in accordance with Standing Order A14 by the members indicated.

Members considered a motion in relation to Climate Change, notice of which was given in accordance with Standing Order A13.

 

Councillor Howgate proposed and Councillor Dart seconded the motion as set out below:

 

Full Council notes:

 

1.    Human activity has already caused irreversible climate change, the impact of which is felt around the world. Global temperatures have increased by over 1°C from pre-industrial levels. Atmospheric CO₂ levels are over 400 parts per million (ppm), far exceeding the 350ppm deemed a ‘safe’ level for humanity. The world is on track to overshoot the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit before 2030;

 

2.    The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C, published in November 2018, describes the harm that a 2°C rise is likely to cause, and tells us that limiting global warming to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society, the private sector, indigenous people and local communities;

 

3.    In order to reduce the chance of runaway global warming and limit the effects of climate breakdown, it is imperative that each of us reduces our CO₂eq (carbon equivalent) emissions from their current 6.5 tonnes per person per year to less than 2 tonnes without delay;

 

4.    Individuals can accept responsibility for living in a more sustainable way but cannot be expected to make these changes on their own. Carbon emissions result from both production and consumption, so governments – national, regional and local – must change legislation, standards and their approach to meet the need to reduce our CO2eq emissions and make low carbon living easier to achieve and the new ‘norm’;

 

5.    Councils across the world are responding by declaring a ‘Climate Emergency’ – making a commitment to address this emergency.  In the South West, Bristol, Cornwall and Somerset Councils have already taken this step;

 

6.    Torbay, with its coastline and large low lying areas, especially in Paignton, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

 

Full Council believes that:

 

1.    All governments have a duty to limit the negative impacts of climate breakdown, and local governments that recognise this cannot, and should not, wait for their national government to act;

 

2.    It is important for the residents of Torbay that its Council commits to reducing CO₂eq emissions and work towards carbon neutrality as quickly as possible;

 

3.    Bold climate change can deliver economic benefits by way of new jobs, economic savings, market opportunities and improved well-being.

 

Full Council resolves:

 

Cabinet be recommended:

 

a)    That Torbay Council recognises 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;

 

b)    That the Overview and Scrutiny Board be requested to review and recommend what further corporate approaches can be taken through Torbay Council’s Energy and Climate Change Strategy and to facilitate stronger Torbay-wide action through collaboration at a strategic, community and individual level;

 

c)    That all relevant outside organisation member representatives, Cabinet Members and senior officers work with partners, including the Heart of the South West LEP, individuals and community action groups across Torbay to identify ways to make Torbay carbon neutral by 2030, taking into account both production and consumption emissions;

 

d)    That the Leader of the Council be requested to write to the Secretaries of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy; Transport; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and Housing, Communities and Local Government calling for the creation, provision or devolution of powers and resources to make achievement of the 2030 target possible in Torbay;

 

e)    That the Interim Director of Place be requested to update the Council before the end of 2019 with the actions the Council has and will take to address this emergency; and

 

Council be recommended:

 

f)     That £25,000 be allocated from the Council’s 2019/20 contingency budget and authorise the Interim Director of Place to utilise this funding to resource the work necessary to support the Overview and Scrutiny Board and to assess any specific recommendations and financial implications, with any unspent allocation being carried forward into 2020/21 to continue the work.

 

During the debate Councillor Foster proposed and Councillor Bye seconded an

amendment to the motion as follows:

 

Council be recommended:

 

f)     That £25,000 be allocated from the Council’s 2019/20 contingency budget and authorise the Interim Director of Place to utilise this funding to resource the work necessary to support the Overview and Scrutiny Board and to assess any specific recommendations and report back direct to the Cabinet by September 2019. and financial implications, with any unspent allocation being carried forward into 2020/21 to continue the work.

 

The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

 

During the debate, Councillor O’Dwyer proposed an amendment.  Councillor Howgate and Councillor Dart accepted the amendment, which was then incorporated in the original motion and was agreed by the Council  as set out below:

 

Full Council notes:

 

1.    Human activity has already caused irreversible environmental damage, the impact of which is felt around the world. Global temperatures have increased by over 1°C from pre-industrial levels. Atmospheric CO₂ levels are over 400 parts per million (ppm), far exceeding the 350ppm deemed a ‘safe’ level for humanity. The world is on track to overshoot the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit before 2030;

 

2.    The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C, published in November 2018, describes the harm that a 2°C rise is likely to cause, and tells us that limiting global warming to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society, the private sector, indigenous people and local communities;

 

3.    In order to reduce the chance of runaway global warming and limit the effects of climate breakdown, it is imperative that each of us reduces our CO₂eq (carbon equivalent) emissions from their current 6.5 tonnes per person per year to less than 2 tonnes without delay;

 

4.    Individuals can accept responsibility for living in a more sustainable way but cannot be expected to make these changes on their own. Carbon emissions result from both production and consumption, so governments – national, regional and local – must change legislation, standards and their approach to meet the need to reduce our CO2eq emissions and make low carbon living easier to achieve and the new ‘norm’;

 

5.    Councils across the world are responding by declaring a ‘Climate Emergency’ – making a commitment to address this emergency.  In the South West, Bristol, Cornwall and Somerset Councils have already taken this step;

 

6.    Torbay, with its coastline and large low lying areas, especially in Paignton, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

 

Full Council believes that:

 

1.    All governments have a duty to limit the negative impacts of climate breakdown, and local governments that recognise this cannot, and should not, wait for their national government to act;

 

2.    It is important for the residents of Torbay that its Council commits to reducing CO₂eq emissions and work towards carbon neutrality as quickly as possible;

 

3.    Bold climate change can deliver economic benefits by way of new jobs, economic savings, market opportunities and improved well-being.

 

Full Council resolves:

 

Cabinet be recommended:

 

a)    That Torbay Council recognises 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;

 

b)   That the Overview and Scrutiny Board be requested to review and recommend what further corporate approaches can be taken through Torbay Council’s Energy and Climate Change Strategy and to facilitate stronger Torbay-wide action through collaboration at a strategic, community and individual level;

 

c)    That all relevant outside organisation member representatives, Cabinet Members and senior officers work with partners, including the Heart of the South West LEP, individuals and community action groups across Torbay to identify ways to make Torbay carbon neutral by 2030, taking into account both production and consumption emissions;

 

d)   That the Leader of the Council be requested to write to the Secretaries of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy; Transport; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and Housing, Communities and Local Government calling for the creation, provision or devolution of powers and resources to make achievement of the 2030 target possible in Torbay;

 

e)    That the Interim Director of Place be requested to update the Council before the end of 2019 with the actions the Council has and will take to address this emergency; and

 

Council be recommended:

 

f)     That £25,000 be allocated from the Council’s 2019/20 contingency budget and authorise the Interim Director of Place to utilise this funding to resource the work necessary to support the Overview and Scrutiny Board and to assess any specific recommendations and financial implications, with any unspent allocation being carried forward into 2020/21 to continue the work.

 

Following the Council’s decision above, the Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay invited the Leader of the Council to respond to the Council’s recommendations to the Cabinet.  The Cabinet then voted on the recommendations and the Cabinet’s Record of Decision is attached to these minutes at Appendix 1.