Agenda item

To receive questions, statements, petitions or deputations on the business of the Council in the following order:

(a) Questions and statements from Town and Parish Councils

(b) Questions and statements from those living or working in the Dorset Council area.

(c) Petitions

(d) Deputations

Public questions, statements and the responses from the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holders are set out in the Appendix 1 attached to these minutes.

It was proposed by Cllr P Kimber seconded by Cllr N Ireland to suspend standing orders to allow group leaders to address the council on the issues of Climate Change.  Upon being put to the vote the motion was CARRIED.

In respect of the questions relating to climate and environment emergency, a number of group leaders and councillors expressed concern that the council was not taking adequate action or considering declaring a climate emergency at the meeting.

Many were disappointed that the Leader of the Council was only proposing a cross party Executive Advisory Panel to discuss the matter and that Cllr Turner’s late notice of motion would not be considered until the next meeting of Full Council in July. Many councillors, present at the meeting, felt strongly that the time for discussion was over and the council needed to take action.

In response, the Leader of the Council confirmed that he proposed to create a cross party panel for discussions and the Executive Advisory Panel would report back to Council and the Cabinet on progress and the development of the policy.

He confirmed that he was committed to putting sustainability at the heart of the organisation and hoped that councillors would support him in putting Dorset at the forefront of councils working to tackle climate change.

It was proposed by Cllr R Legg that this matter be dealt with as an urgent item in accordance with section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972. Following advice the Chairman agreed to take this matter as an urgent item.

It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland seconded by Cllr P Kimber “That Council recognises that climate change is happening and agrees to declare a climate emergency” The Council agreed to hold a recorded vote on the motion.

Those who voted in favour:-

Cllrs R Adkins, A Alford, J Andrews, P Barrow, S Bartlett, P Batstone, D Beer, R Biggs, D Bolwell, A Brenton, P Brown,  R Bryan, S Christopher, K Clayton, S Cocking, T Cook, J Dunseith, J Dover, M Dyer, T Ferrari, S Flower, L Fry, S Gibson, G Goringe, D Gray, M Hall, P Harrison, J Haynes, B Heatley, R Holloway, R Hope, R Hughes, N Ireland, S Jespersen, C Jones, S Jones, A Kerby, P Kimber, R Knox, N Lacey-Clarke, H Legg, R Legg, L Miller, D Morgan, J Orrell, E Parker, M Parkes, M Penfold, B Pipe, V Pothecary, B Quayle, B Ridout, M Roe, J Robinson, M Roberts, D Shortell, J Somper, A Starr, C Sutton, R Tarr, D Tooke, D Turner, D Taylor, G Taylor, D Walsh, P Wharf, K Wheller, S Williams and J Worth.

Those who voted against:-

Cllrs R Cook and L O’Leary

Those who abstained:-

Cllrs C Brooks, G Carr-Jones ,T Coombs, C Lugg, A Parry and B Trite.

Upon being put to the vote the motion was CARRIED.

Decision

That Council recognises that climate change is happening and agrees to declare a climate emergency.