39/21
It was noted that
three Motions on Notice had been received in accordance with
Council Procedure Rule 10.1:
(a)
By Cllrs Hodgson and
Brazil
“Background:
On Monday
21 June 2021, Caroline Lucas MP presented and gave the CEE Bill its
first reading in the House of Commons in this new 2021-22
parliamentary session. The CEE Bill is now back in the
parliamentary system.
The
objective of this Bill is to require the United Kingdom to achieve
climate and nature targets; to give the Secretary of State a duty
to implement a strategy to achieve those targets; to establish a
Climate and Nature Assembly to advise the Secretary of State in
creating that strategy; to give duties to the Committee on Climate
Change and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee regarding the
strategy and targets; and for connected purposes. Bill read the
First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 10 September, and to
be printed (Bill 61).
The motion
for SHDC therefore reads: “In line with our formal
declaration of a climate and biodiversity emergency, and our
commitment to actions to change behaviour to address the causes of
this situation, and mitigate the impacts, this Council supports the
Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill proposed by a coalition of
scientists, academics and lawyers with the aim of bringing the
UK’s climate policy into one with evolving scientific
evidence. Currently this also supported by 110 members of
parliament. Nationally we need a strong legislative framework
that embeds the Government’s targets in law, enabling us as
supportive players, to plan and develop our future trajectories, to
fit in with those targets.
Council therefore resolves to:
i.
Support the Climate and Ecological
Emergency (CEE) Bill
ii.
Inform the local media of this
decision;
iii.
Write to local MPs, asking them to
support the Bill; and
iv.
Write to
the CEE
Bill Alliance, the
organisers of the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support
(campaign@ceebill.uk).”
The proposer
introduced her motion and hoped that all Members would be able to
support it.
In the ensuing
debate, reference was made to:
(a)
the direct relevance of the Bill to the
Council’s recently adopted Climate Change and Biodiversity
Action Plan;
(b)
the Bill not yet being on the statute
book. Nonetheless, a Member confirmed
that she did support a number of the sentiments of the Bill and
also recognised that Devon County Council had recently passed a
similarly worded motion.
It was
then:
RESOLVED
That Council:
1.
supports the Climate and Ecological Emergency
Bill;
2.
informs the local media of this decision;
3.
writes to local MPs, asking them to support the
Bill; and
4.
writes to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of
the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support
(campaign@ceebill.uk).
(b)
By Cllrs Hodgson and
Brazil
“This Council recognises the urgent need to support,
protect and enhance biodiversity and habitats. It therefore
agrees to:
·
Consider ways that could be used through
the planning system to ensure and check that wildlife
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the full minutes text for item 39/21