Agenda item

Motion A: Motion to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill

Council notes that:

This council declared a climate emergency in February 2019, drawing attention to atmospheric CO2 levels which have already risen above 400 parts per million (ppm) and continue to rise; and that without more significant and sustained action, the world is set to exceed the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit between 2030 and 2040; and that the current UK target of net zero by 2050 is therefore too little too late.

This council has already taken a lead on climate change and ecological issues adopting a recycling issues, delivered a local plan with strong environmental policies, promotes sustainable transport options and is now taking fresh initiatives like the Cheltenham Zero Partnership; and that other councils including Cheltenham Parish Councils are also taking pro-active action on climate change.

There is a Bill before Parliament — the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill (published as the “Climate and Ecology Bill”) —according to which the Government must develop an emergency strategy that:

1.    requires that the UK plays its fair and proper role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with limiting global temperature increase  to 1.5°C above pre-industrial temperatures;

2.    ensures that all the UK’s consumption emissions are accounted for; 

3.    includes emissions from aviation and shipping;

4.    protects and restores biodiverse habitats along overseas supply chains;

5.    restores and regenerates the UK’s depleted soils, wildlife habitats and species populations to healthy and robust states, maximising their capacity to absorb CO2 and their resistance to climate heating;

6.    sets up an independent Citizens’ Assembly, representative of the UK’s population, to engage with Parliament and Government and help develop the emergency strategy.

Council therefore resolves to:

·         Support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill

·         Inform the local media of this decision;

·         Request the cabinet lead for climate change to write to our MPs, asking them to support or thanking them for supporting the Bill;  and

·         Write to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support ([email protected]).

Debate

Motion A was proposed by Cllr. Horwood and seconded by Cllr. Boyes. In proposing the motion, Cllr. Horwood cited the drastic biodiversity loss in the UK that had led to 15% of species in the UK facing extinction due to factors like urbanisation, overdevelopment and climate change. He added that over the last few years, the UK had missed all its key national biodiversity targets.

In seconding the motion, Cllr. Boyes stressed the importance of placing ecological renewal at the heart of the post-Covid recovery. She noted that both local and national commitments would be required to meet the targets from the 2015 Paris Agreement.

One Member added that it was important to tackle pollution, and that the authority could itself encourage habits to change. It was especially important to protect areas of outstanding national beauty and sites of special scientific interest, and they hoped that the Climate and Ecology Bill currently before Parliament would become law.

One Member added that Cheltenham had benefitted from funding from European Regional Development Fund, and that they hoped this would be replaced by central government after Brexit was complete.

One Member described climate change as the key challenge of the coming decades and praised the recent training day for councillors, which was attended by Members from all parties and three district councils.

One Member stressed the need to set responsible targets, and questioned whether the goal of carbon neutrality by 2030 was realistic. He emphasised that the council must be genuinely committed to its goals and willing to invest properly to deliver them. Several Members conversely argued that it was necessary to be ambitious for everyone’s sake, and that the cost of acting on climate change was far less than the cost of not acting.

The Cabinet Member for climate issues emphasised his desire to work closely with the county council to deliver carbon neutrality projects and outlined a number of CBC projects aimed at reducing emissions.

The Mayor moved to a vote, where the motion was passed.

Motion B

This council notes with concern the increase in homelessness and rough sleeping nationwide in recent years, and the profound impact that homelessness has on people’s physical and mental wellbeing. 

Council recognises that two common reasons why members of the public may not give spare change to homeless people are a concern about how that money may be spent, and, due to the recent increase in use of contactless payment cards, often have less or no cash about their person. 
 
Council considers the?BillyChip®, a Ceramic token which can be purchased in cafes and later redeemed by a homeless person in exchange for a hot or cold drink, to be a simple, innovative and more secure way for members of the public to give financial support to homeless people, which many wish to do. 
 
Council recognises further that the?BillyChip®?is already available in numerous outlets across Bristol, Bath and Oxford, is in the process of identifying and approaching potential venues in Cheltenham, and is the subject of huge popular online support. 

Council wishes to be part of this. 
 
Council offers the?BillyChip®?its full endorsement and commits to supporting the implementation of the?chip?here in Cheltenham. 
 
To achieve this, council resolves to: 

- collaborate with the?BillyChip?CIC on developing its profile in Cheltenham 

- give the BillyChip CIC free use of its premises for the purposes of public information meetings 

- provide space on the Cheltenham Borough Council website listing participating venues and other relevant information 

- ensure that all appropriate council-operated venues participate in the scheme.

Debate

Motion B was proposed by Cllr. Brownsteen and seconded by Cllr. Harvey. In proposing the motion, Cllr. Brownsteen explained the story behind the BillyChip and advocated its use across Cheltenham. He clarified that the council would not itself be responsible for rolling it out, since BillyChip was its own organisation, but that the motion was about the council supporting and promoting it.

One Member asked what the chip cost, and whether it could be promoted in nearby towns too. Cllr. Brownsteen clarified that it cost the participating venue a pound and the member of the public two pounds to cover the cost of a hot or cold drink.

One Member suggested that they hoped partner organisations could be persuaded to get involved too. Members discussed the most effective ways to alleviate rough sleeping and look after those affected by it.

The Mayor moved to a vote, where the motion was passed.