Agenda item

(a)  To consider a recommendation from Cabinet.

(b)  To consider a report from the Executive Director of Place concerning the response of the Climate and Ecological Emergency Executive Advisory Panel to Notices of Motion tabled by Cllr Daryl Turner and Cllr Kelvin Clayton.  Pages 183 - 199

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment presented the recommendation to adopt the Climate and Ecological Strategy & Action Plan and associated response to the notice(s) of motion of 18 July 2019. This was following Dorset declaring a Climate and Ecological Emergency in 2019. 

In presenting the strategy he advised that it set out key areas where Dorset Council would need to take action to directly reduce carbon emissions to become a carbon neutral Council by 2040 and working with Dorset residents and organisations towards achieving a wider carbon neutral County by 2050. As technologies advanced, he hoped to be able to shorten some of those target dates.  He also thanked officers and the Executive Advisory Panel for their work on the document and consultation process.

The Portfolio Holder referred to the report on Climate Change notice(s) of motion tabled by Cllr D Turner and Cllr K Clayton at Dorset Council on 18 July 2019. These were referred to the Climate Change Executive Advisory Panel for consideration. He confirmed that the Strategy and accompanying action plan had been thoroughly researched and costed and set out how all the issues raised in the notice of motions would be addressed.

The Portfolio Holder advised that the strategy and action plan had been considered by the informal meetings of Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 12 May 2021 and Cabinet on 18 May 2021. He reminded members that the strategy was a living document that would be constantly amended and updated.

The Strategy, Action Plan, and the response to the notices of motion was supported and seconded by Cllr R Hughes.

Members spoke largely in support of the strategy as a realistic approach to climate change and carbon emissions in Dorset and acknowledged that there was still much more to do. The following points, comments and questions were raised: -

·       Concern was expressed about the lack of ambition of the document, in response the portfolio holder confirmed that the transforming cities fund would be used to encourage people back to cycling and walking.

·       Officers were also engaged with central government to develop a public transport campaign which was at the centre of the ambition for the Dorset Council area. 

·       Grant funding was time limited, but much work had started and an extension to the time limit has also been sought.

·       The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment was working closely with the Portfolio Holder for Planning to address climate issues in the remit of the planning portfolio.

·       Recognised that target dates were realistic, but wherever possible dates would be brought forward.

Following discussion, the Chairman asked that the vote be taken on both recommendations together. Upon being put to the vote the “minded to” motion was carried.

The Executive Director for Place advised that he noted the result of the “minded to” vote and confirmed that he had read and considered the report before members. He also acknowledged the comments made by the original proposers of the notices of motion of 18 July 2019 and the views expressed at the informal meetings of the Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee of 12 May and Cabinet of 18 May 2021. He confirmed that his decision was to adopt the Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy.

Delegated Decision of the Executive Director for Place

(a)       That the Dorset Council Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action Plan be adopted.

Council noted

(b)       The response of the Climate and Ecological Emergency Executive Advisory Panel (EAP) in the publication of the draft Dorset Council Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and action plan addressed the Climate Change Notices of Motion tabled by Cllr Daryl Turner and Cllr Kelvin Clayton at Dorset Council on 18th July 2019.

Decision - Dorset Council Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Reason for the decision: Dorset Council declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency in 2019 and established an Executive Advisory Panel to strategically guide the Councils response. A draft Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action Plan was produced and approved for public consultation by Cabinet in October 2020.