Agenda item

RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL that:-

(i)        the Council declare a Climate Emergency to support the transition to a zero carbon Council and Borough;

(ii)       that the Council endorses the existing commitment set out in the Energy Strategy 2015-2025 to be zero carbon by 2040 with the aim of achieving this by 2035 or earlier if practicable;

(iii)      that approval be given to the carbon reduction targets set for the Council’s own activities, Zero40 (as detailed in Section 5.4) and for the wider Borough, Zero45 (as described in Section 6.2) be adopted as Key Corporate Indicators.  That these targets be reviewed on an annual basis following development of Strategic Energy Action Plans with the aim of achieving zero carbon at an earlier date if practicable;

(iv)      that a programme be developed of funded five year Strategic Energy Action Plans (SEAPs) as set out in Section 5.4 of the report;

(v)       that a Place Leadership role be adopted in delivering zero carbon through the Zero40 and Zero45 approach as set out in Sections 5 and 6 of the report; and

(vi)      that a Zero 40 Zero 45 Feasibility and Enabling Fund be established to facilitate project development.

The report of the Executive Director Place setting of the Council’s proposed approach to achieving zero carbon in its operations by 2040 (Zero40) and to supporting, through its Place Leadership role, the transition of the Borough to zero carbon by 2045 (Zero45) was:

Moved by Councillor Lamb – Seconded by Councillor Cheetham.

An Amendment was:

Moved by Councillor Fielding – Seconded by Councillor Lodge:

(i)           That the Council declare a Climate Emergency to support the transition to a zero Carbon Council and Borough;

(ii)          That the Council brings forward the existing commitment set out in the Energy Strategy 2015-2025 to be zero carbon by 2030 with the aim of achieving this earlier if practicable;

(iii)         That approval be given to enhanced carbon reduction targets set for the Council’s own activities, (formerly Zero40 as detailed in Section 5.4) to a new Zero30 target (zero carbon by 2030) and for the wider Borough, (formerly Zero45 as described in Section 6.2) to a new Zero 35 (zero carbon by 2035) target be adopted as Key Corporate Indicators.  That these targets be reviewed on an annual basis following development of Strategic Energy Action Plans with the aim of achieving zero carbon at an earlier date if practicable;

(iv)         That a programme be developed of funded five year Strategic Energy Action Plans (SEAPs) with the aim of achieving the enhanced targets;

(v)          That effective governance arrangements are put in place to lead the Council towards achieving the Zero30 and Zero35 targets;

(vi)         That financial resources to fund the necessary measures to achieve the carbon reduction targets need to be provided;

(vii)       That a Barnsley Citizens Assembly on Climate Change be established to guide the means by which the carbon reduction targets are met and to assist in informing the Citizens of Barnsley of the nature of the emergency and the steps being taken to address it.  The Citizens Assembly will be structured and operate in line with good practice in other Local Authorities but will include 50 residents and will be adequately funded.  The Citizens Assembly must be established and hold its first meeting before 31^st March 2020.

Upon being put to the vote, the Amendment was lost.

The original Motion was then put as the Substantive Motion and:

RESOLVED that:-

(i)        the Council declare a Climate Emergency to support the transition to a zero carbon Council and Borough;

(ii)       that the Council endorses the existing commitment set out in the Energy Strategy 2015-2025 to be zero carbon by 2040 with the aim of achieving this by 2035 or earlier if practicable;

(iii)      that approval be given to the carbon reduction targets set for the Council’s own activities, Zero40 (as detailed in Section 5.4) and for the wider Borough, Zero45 (as described in Section 6.2) be adopted as Key Corporate Indicators.  That these targets be reviewed on an annual basis following development of Strategic Energy Action Plans with the aim of achieving zero carbon at an earlier date if practicable;

(iv)      that a programme be developed of funded five year Strategic Energy Action Plans (SEAPs) as set out in Section 5.4 of the report;

(v)       that a Place Leadership role be adopted in delivering zero carbon through the Zero40 and Zero45 approach as set out in Sections 5 and 6 of the report; and

(vi)      that a Zero 40 Zero 45 Feasibility and Enabling Fund be established to facilitate project development.