Agenda item

To receive a Notice of Motion in respect of Climate Change, jointly submitted by Councillors N Heslop, M Coffin, R Betts, D Lettington, V Branson, M Base, F Tombolis and M Boughton.

 

Notice of Motion attached

Consideration was given to a Notice of Motion pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 5.27 submitted jointly by Councillors N Heslop, M Coffin, R Betts, D Lettington, V Branson, M Base, F Tombolis and M Boughton in the following terms:

 

We believe that a sustainable low-carbon future is essential for our own sake, and that of future generations – and is needed urgently to avoid the dangers of runaway climate breakdown.

 

A recent report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that in order for us to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C, worldwide CO2 emissions need to decline by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050. This target will allow us to support the international commitment to keep the planet’s temperature rise below 1.5°C (above pre-industrial levels) as agreed under the Paris Agreement. We also note the recent Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services report on global species and habitat loss. 

 

Further to this, Council resolves to:

 

1.   Declare its recognition of global climate change and biodiversity emergencies; 

 

2.   Consider how the Council can strengthen local protection and enhance protection of species, habitats and ecosystems under available powers;

 

3.   Review services and operations to ensure Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has policies that support climate change mitigation, for example the provision of electric charging points across the borough, so that it is one of the most welcoming places in the country for driving electric and hybrid vehicles; 

 

4.   Request an initial report is made to the Cabinet setting out how, in partnership with other agencies, the Council will be making positive contributions to combat climate change.

 

Councillor N Heslop proposed, seconded by Councillor R Betts, an alteration adding text to point 4 of the original motion as follows;

 

‘… and bring forward a revised draft Climate Change Strategy by May 2020 including deliverable performance indicators and an aspiration for Tonbridge and Malling to be carbon neutral by 2030.’

 

Members signified consent to this alteration.

 

A number of amendments to the substantive motion were proposed (as set out below).

 

(1)         It was proposed by Councillor F Hoskins and seconded by Councillor A Clark that the substantive motion include an additional point ‘calling upon Westminster to provide the powers and resource to make the 2030 target possible’.

 

Upon receipt of the necessary requisition under Council Procedure Rule No 8.4 voting on the amendment was recorded as follows:

 

Members voting for the proposed amendment to the motion:

 

Cllr T Bishop, Cllr G C Bridge, Cllr A E Clark, Cllr P M Hickmott, Cllr M A J Hood, Cllr F A Hoskins, Cllr Mrs A S Oakley, Cllr W E Palmer, Cllr R V Roud, Cllr T B Shaw, Cllr N G Stapleton, Cllr Mrs M Tatton, Cllr M Taylor and Cllr D Thornewell.

 

Total = 14

 

Members voting against the proposed amendment to the motion:

 

Cllr Mrs J A Anderson, Cllr M C Base, Cllr  Mrs P A Bates, Cllr Mrs S Bell, Cllr R P Betts, Cllr M D Boughton, Cllr V M C Branson, Cllr C Brown, Cllr R I B Cannon,  Cllr M A Coffin, Cllr D J Cooper, Cllr R W Dalton, Cllr D A S Davis, Cllr N J Heslop,   Cllr S A Hudson, Cllr A P J Keeley, Cllr D Keers, Cllr Mrs F A Kemp, Cllr K King, Cllr Mrs C B Langridge, Cllr J R S Lark, Cllr D Lettington, Cllr Mrs R F Lettington, Cllr B J Luker, Cllr P J Montague, Cllr L J O'Toole, Cllr M R Rhodes, Cllr H S Rogers,  Cllr J L Sergison, Cllr K B Tanner,   Cllr Miss G E Thomas, Cllr F G Tombolis and Cllr C J Williams

 

Total = 33

 

Members abstaining:  None

 

RESOLVED:  That the proposed amendment to the motion be rejected.

 

(2)     It was proposed by Councillor F Hoskins and seconded by Councillor A Clark that the substantive motion include an additional point ‘we will liaise with other governments (both local, national and international) to determine best practice methods to limit global warming to less than 1.5 degrees C’.

 

Upon receipt of the necessary requisition under Council Procedure Rule No 8.4 voting on the amendment was recorded as follows:

 

Members voting for the proposed amendment to the motion:

 

Cllr T Bishop, Cllr G C Bridge, Cllr A E Clark, Cllr P M Hickmott, Cllr M A J Hood, Cllr F A Hoskins, Cllr Mrs A S Oakley, Cllr W E Palmer, Cllr R V Roud, Cllr T B Shaw, Cllr N G Stapleton, Cllr Mrs M Tatton, Cllr M Taylor and Cllr D Thornewell.

 

Total = 14

 

Members voting against the proposed amendment to motion:

 

Cllr Mrs J A Anderson, Cllr M C Base, Cllr  Mrs P A Bates, Cllr Mrs S Bell, Cllr R P Betts, Cllr M D Boughton, Cllr V M C Branson, Cllr C Brown, Cllr R I B Cannon,  Cllr M A Coffin, Cllr D J Cooper, Cllr R W Dalton, Cllr D A S Davis, Cllr N J Heslop,   Cllr S A Hudson, Cllr A P J Keeley, Cllr D Keers, Cllr Mrs F A Kemp, Cllr K King, Cllr Mrs C B Langridge, Cllr J R S Lark, Cllr D Lettington, Cllr Mrs R F Lettington, Cllr B J Luker, Cllr P J Montague, Cllr L J O'Toole, Cllr M R Rhodes, Cllr H S Rogers,  Cllr J L Sergison, Cllr K B Tanner,   Cllr Miss G E Thomas, Cllr F G Tombolis and Cllr C J Williams

 

Total = 33

 

Members abstaining:  None

 

RESOLVED:  That the proposed amendment to the motion be rejected.

 

Finally, the Leader of the Council advised that careful consideration had been given to the deadlines and it was felt that May 2020 was a realistic target given the significant amount of work to be undertaken and outcomes identified.  Members were reassured that the Climate Change Strategy would be driven forward to meet this deadline.

 

Upon receipt of the necessary requisition under Council Procedure Rule No 8.4 voting on the Substantive Motion as proposed by Councillor N Heslop and seconded by Councillor R Betts was recorded as follows:

 

Members voting for the Substantive Motion:

 

Councillor Mrs J A Anderson, Cllr M C Base, Cllr  Mrs P A Bates, Cllr Mrs S Bell, Cllr R P Betts,  Cllr M D Boughton, Cllr V M C Branson, Cllr G C Bridge, Cllr C Brown, Cllr R I B Cannon, Cllr A E Clark, Cllr M A Coffin, Cllr D J Cooper, Cllr R W Dalton, Cllr D A S Davis, Cllr N J Heslop, Cllr P M Hickmott, Cllr M A J Hood, Cllr F A Hoskins, Cllr S A Hudson, Cllr A P J Keeley, Cllr D Keers, Cllr Mrs F A Kemp, Cllr A Kennedy, Cllr K King, Cllr Mrs C B Langridge, Cllr J R S Lark, Cllr D Lettington, Cllr Mrs R F Lettington, Cllr B J Luker, Cllr P J Montague, Cllr Mrs A S Oakley, Cllr L J O'Toole, Cllr W E Palmer, Cllr M R Rhodes, Cllr H S Rogers, Cllr R V Roud, Cllr J L Sergison, Cllr T B Shaw, Cllr N G Stapleton, Cllr K B Tanner, Cllr Mrs M Tatton, Cllr M Taylor, Cllr Miss G E Thomas, Cllr D Thornewell, Cllr F G Tombolis and Cllr C J Williams

 

Total = 46

 

Members voting against the Substantive Motion:

 

Total = 0

 

Members abstaining:

 

Cllr T Bishop

 

RESOLVED:  That the Notice of Motion (as amended) proposed by Councillor N Heslop and seconded by Councillor R Betts (set out below) be agreed:

 

1. The Borough Council’s recognition of global climate change and biodiversity emergencies be declared;

 

2. Consideration be given to how the Borough Council can strengthen local protection and enhance protection of species, habitats and ecosystems under available powers;

 

3. Services and operations be reviewed to ensure Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has policies that support climate change mitigation, for example the provision of electric charging points across the borough, so that it is one of the most welcoming places in the country for driving electric and hybrid vehicles;

 

4. An initial report be made to the Cabinet setting out how, in partnership with other agencies, the Council will be making positive contributions to combat climate change and a revised draft Climate Change Strategy be brought forward by May 2020 including deliverable performance indicators and an aspiration for Tonbridge and Malling to be carbon neutral by 2030.