Agenda item
Motions on Notice
The following motions have been placed on the agenda in the order received; up to 60 minutes shall be allowed for debates on motions on notice:
1. From Councillor McConville, Leader of the Labour Party
This Council moves to, under part 4 section 25.2 amend the constitution in regards to part 4 section 12.6. “Time-limit debates on opposition business shall be limited to 15 minutes”. This should be amended to read 30 minutes. As per the constitution it is resolved that this motion stand adjourned, without discussion until the next ordinary meeting of the Council.
2. From Councillor Treloar, Green Party
Climate and ecological emergency.
Full council notes that:
1. Humans have already caused irreversible climate change, the impacts of which are being felt around the world; extreme weather, wildfires, droughts and floods are already affecting millions.
2. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that climate-related risks to health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security, and economic growth are projected to increase with global heating of 1.5°C and increase significantly with 2°C. [1]
3. Humans have already caused 1°C heating and global temperatures are currently on track for 3-5°C heating. We have a 1 in 20 chance of reaching 5°C heating – this presents an existential threat to humankind. [2]
4. The IPCC states we have until 2030 to act to keep global heating under 1.5 degrees. This requires a swift and dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in all sectors and ambitious action by all levels of government.
5. Direct risks to our district include: sea level rises of up to 2 meters by the end of the century [3], putting the whole of Romney Marsh at severe risk; water shortages within 25 years [4]; coastal erosion and subsequent risk to property and infrastructure [5]; an increased number of heat-related deaths and biodiversity loss.
6. Folkestone and Hythe is the district most at risk of flooding in Kent. In a recent report, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated that our district has a significantly higher risk of flooding than any other area in Kent, with a 43.4% risk of flooding. [6]
7. We have a duty to act to protect our residents and future residents and to do everything we can to curb the risk of runaway climate breakdown.
8. The severity of this crisis has led parliament and more than 100 local government authorities across the country to declare a climate emergency. The Irish parliament has declared a climate emergency, as has the Welsh Assembly. Within our district, Hythe Town Council is to discuss a climate emergency motion that sets a carbon neutrality date of 2025. Medway, Swale, Maidstone and Gravesham have declared a climate emergency.
9. By committing to becoming carbon net zero by 2030, we will not only demonstrate our commitment to national and international targets, but most importantly – to the safety, wellbeing and property of our residents.
10. The broader economic case for acting is compelling: the Bank of England predicts that there will be approximately £15.3tn of stranded assets globally due to climate change [7] and the financial sector is seeing major divestment from fossil fuels; the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund (Norway) which manages £786billion has committed to divest [8].
11. The Committee on Climate Change notes: “Action on climate change has many local benefits. As well as contributing to national carbon budgets, carbon reduction programmes can bring a range of benefits such as lower energy bills, economic regeneration and creation of local jobs, and improved health.” [9]
12. Inextricably entwined with the climate crisis is the ecological crisis. Wildlife populations are plummeting around the world due to habitat loss and a warming world. The World Wildlife Fund for Nature reported last year that the world has seen a 60% loss of wildlife since the 1970s [10]. A global review of scientific studies recently reported that plummeting insect populations threaten the collapse of nature. [11]
13. Folkestone and Hythe District Council has much to be proud of in its effort to decarbonise its operations and encourage biodiversity. It has electrified much of its grounds equipment, encouraged pollinator-friendly green spaces and switched to LED lighting in its own buildings. The upcoming tree audit will help us better understand our capacity for offsetting carbon.
14. Unfortunately, our current plans and actions do not treat the global climate and ecological crisis with the full urgency it deserves; we have a duty to commit to bolder action.
Full council moves to:
1. Declare that we are in a state of climate and ecological emergency.
2. Commit to reduce Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s estate and operations to zero net carbon by 2030.
3. Ensure that all strategic decisions, policy, budgets, investments, contracts, approaches to planning decisions and the council’s own developments are in line with a shift to zero carbon by 2030.
4. Ensure that all future council reports, where appropriate, include a climate impact statement.
5. To develop a strategy for Folkestone and Hythe District Council to play a leadership role in promoting community, public and business partnerships for this Carbon Neutral 2030 Commitment throughout the District.
6. To achieve this, create a Carbon Action Plan based on practical frameworks and advice such as provided by the Carbon Trust.
7. Establish a cross-party working group of full council to draw up, steer and monitor progress of the Carbon Action Plan, reporting back to full council in 6 months, then annually.
8. Call on the UK Government to provide the powers, resources and help with funding to make this possible, and ask local MPs to do likewise.
9. Request that Cabinet shows leadership and adopts the matters raised in 1 – 8.
REFERENCES
2. https://www.pnas.org/content/114/39/10315
4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47620228
6. https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/area-at-highest-risk-of-flooding-revealed-207373/
9. https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/LA-Report_final.pdf
10. https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/living-planet-report-2018
3. From Councillor McConville, Leader of the Labour Party
This Councilnotes:
·Thatanalysis ofthe 2018Local Electionresults bythe FawcettSociety foundthat only34% of councillorsin Englandare women,up 1%since 2017.Of the seatsthat wereup for electionin 2018,38% wentto women,up just3 percentagepoints on2014 whenthese seats werelast contested;
·That across England,Labour hasimproved itsrepresentation sinceseats werelast upfor grabs, with45% womencompared with40% in2014, LiberalDemocrat representationup from 34%to 36%whilst theConservative Partysaw afall from31% to29% inthe shareof its councillorswho arefemale;
·Asof summer2017, only4% ofcouncils inEngland andWales haveparental leavepolicies, accordingto researchby theFawcett Society;
·Thatthe roleof acouncillor shouldbe opento all,regardless oftheir background,and that introducinga parentalleave policyis astep towardsencouraging awider rangeof peopleto become councillors,and isalso astep toencourage existingcouncillors whomay wantto starta familyto remainas councillors;
·Thatparental leavemust applyto parentsregardless oftheir gender,and thatit shouldalso coveradoption leaveto supportthose parentswho chooseto adopt.
This Council resolves:
To refer this parental leave policy to the IRP for consideration in their next review.
Minutes:
1. From Councillor McConville, Leader of the Labour Party
Councillor McConville set out his motion which proposed an amendment to the constitution.
Proposed by Councillor McConville,
Seconded by Councillor Monk;
That this Council moves to, under part 4 section 25.2 amend the constitution in regards to part 4 section 12.6. “Time-limit debates on opposition business shall be limited to 15 minutes”. This should be amended to read 30 minutes.
As per rule 25.2 of the constitution it is resolved that this motion stand adjourned, without discussion until the next ordinary meeting of the Council.
2. From Councillor Treloar, Green Party
Councillor Treloar set out her motion relating to climate change which was set out in the agenda.
Proposed by Councillor Treloar,
Seconded by Councillor McConville;
That Full council:
1. Declares that we are in a state of climate and ecological emergency.
2. Commit to reduce Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s estate and operations to zero net carbon by 2030.
3. Ensure that all strategic decisions, policy, budgets, investments, contracts, approaches to planning decisions and the council’s own developments are in line with a shift to zero carbon by 2030.
4. Ensure that all future council reports, where appropriate, include a climate impact statement.
5. To develop a strategy for Folkestone and Hythe District Council to play a leadership role in promoting community, public and business partnerships for this Carbon Neutral 2030 Commitment throughout the District.
6. To achieve this, create a Carbon Action Plan based on practical frameworks and advice such as provided by the Carbon Trust.
7. Establish a cross-party working group of full council to draw up, steer and monitor progress of the Carbon Action Plan, reporting back to full council in 6 months, then annually.
8. Call on the UK Government to provide the powers, resources and help with funding to make this possible, and ask local MPs to do likewise.
9. Request that Cabinet shows leadership and adopts the matters raised in 1 – as above.
Proposed by Councillor Hills,
Seconded by Councillor Wimble;
RESOLVED:
That the first point of the motion be amended to read:
“That Full Council recognises that we are in a climate emergency, and that the issue be referred to Overview and Scrutiny Committee to get the best way forward, and price it”.
In accordance with the council procedure rule 17.5 five members present demanded a recorded vote.
FOR: Councillors Mrs Berry, Brook, Miss Carey, Collier, Gane, Goddard, Godfrey, Hills, Mrs Hollingsbee, P Martin, Meyers, Monk, Mullard, Peall, Rolfe and Wimble (16).
AGAINST: Councillors Davison, Dorrell, Field, Fuller, Keen, J Martin, McConville, Meade, Prater, Shoob, Treloar, Wade, Whybrow and Wing (14)
ABSTENTIONS: None (0).
(Voting figures: 16 for, 14 against, 0 abstentions).
RESOLVED:
That Full council:
1. Recognises that we are in a climate emergency, and that the issue be referred to Overview and Scrutiny Committee to get the best way forward, and price it.
2. Commit to reduce Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s estate and operations to zero net carbon by 2030.
3. Ensure that all strategic decisions, policy, budgets, investments, contracts, approaches to planning decisions and the council’s own developments are in line with a shift to zero carbon by 2030.
4. Ensure that all future council reports, where appropriate, include a climate impact statement.
5. To develop a strategy for Folkestone and Hythe District Council to play a leadership role in promoting community, public and business partnerships for this Carbon Neutral 2030 Commitment throughout the District.
6. To achieve this, create a Carbon Action Plan based on practical frameworks and advice such as provided by the Carbon Trust.
7. Establish a cross-party working group of full council to draw up, steer and monitor progress of the Carbon Action Plan, reporting back to full council in 6 months, then annually.
8. Call on the UK Government to provide the powers, resources and help with funding to make this possible, and ask local MPs to do likewise.
9. Request that Cabinet shows leadership and adopts the matters raised in 1 – as above.
(Voting figures: 30 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).
3. From Councillor McConville, Leader of the Labour Party
Councillor McConville outlined his motion which called upon the Council to implement a parental leave policy.
Proposed by Councillor McConville,
Seconded by Councillor Peall; and
RESOLVED:
To refer this parental leave policy to the IRP for consideration in their next review.
(Voting figures: 30 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).
Supporting documents:
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