Notice of the following motion has been given by Councillor Harper, seconded by Councillor McKay:

This Council notes with concern the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on global climate change impacts* and the recent Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)** reports on global species and habitat loss.

Further to this, Council:

(1) Declares its recognition of global climate and biodiversity  emergencies;

(2) Requests the Policy & Resources Committee to:

·  undertake a short review of MBC governance policies and progress aimed at addressing locally these twin threats and to report on findings;

·  consider a target date of 2030 for the whole of the Borough of Maidstone to be carbon neutral;

·  consider how the Council can strengthen local protection and enhancement of species, habitats and ecosystems services under available powers;

(3) Requests the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer stating the concern of the Council with respect to the above, the likely national impact on the economy and on the wellbeing of citizens, and requesting government funding be made available to implement swift appropriate actions in response.

For information:

* https://www.ipcc.ch/2018/10/08/summary-for-policymakers-of-ipcc-special-report-on-global-warming-of-1-5c-approved-by-governments/

** https://www.ipbes.net/news/media-release-biodiversity-nature%E2%80%99s-contributions-continue-%C2%A0dangerous-decline-scientists-warn

The following motion was moved by Councillor Harper, seconded by Councillor McKay:

This Council notes with concern the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on global climate change impacts and the recent Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) reports on global species and habitat loss.

Further to this, Council:

(1) Declares its recognition of global climate and biodiversity  emergencies;

(2) Requests the Policy & Resources Committee to:

·  undertake a short review of MBC governance policies and progress aimed at addressing locally these twin threats and to report on findings;

·  consider a target date of 2030 for the whole of the Borough of Maidstone to be carbon neutral;

·  consider how the Council can strengthen local protection and enhancement of species, habitats and ecosystems services under available powers;

(3) Requests the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer stating the concern of the Council with respect to the above, the likely national impact on the economy and on the wellbeing of citizens, and requesting government funding be made available to implement swift appropriate actions in response.

The Mayor said that he considered it to be convenient and conducive to the despatch of business that the motion be dealt with at the meeting, and that a factual briefing note had been circulated.

Amendment moved by Councillor Perry, seconded by Councillor Brice, that the motion be amended as follows:

Paragraph 2 – Sub-section 2 – first bullet point – put a full stop after “findings” and add the following sentence:

“This would include, inter alia, a review of the current provision of electric charging points throughout the Borough and bring forward an ambitious plan to make Maidstone Borough the friendliest place in the country for driving electric or hybrid vehicles.”

Paragraph 2 – Sub-section 3 - include at the beginning of the proposed letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer the following additional sentence:

“This Council welcomes the Chancellor’s recent announcement that a “future homes standard” will mandate the end of fossil-fuel heating systems so as to “lower carbon and lower fuel bills too.”

The mover and the seconder of the original motion indicated that they accepted these changes to the motion.

The substantive motion was then put to the vote.

SUBSTANTIVE MOTION CARRIED

RESOLVED:  That this Council notes with concern the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on global climate change impacts and the recent Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) reports on global species and habitat loss.

Further to this, Council:

(1) Declares its recognition of global climate and biodiversity emergencies;

(2) Requests the Policy & Resources Committee to:

·  undertake a short review of MBC governance policies and progress aimed at addressing locally these twin threats and to report on findings. This would include, inter alia, a review of the current provision of electric charging points throughout the Borough and bring forward an ambitious plan to make Maidstone Borough the friendliest place in the country for driving electric or hybrid vehicles.

·  consider a target date of 2030 for the whole of the Borough of Maidstone to be carbon neutral;

·  consider how the Council can strengthen local protection and enhancement of species, habitats and ecosystems services under available powers;

(3) Requests the Chief Executive to (a) write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer stating the concern of the Council with respect to the above, the likely national impact on the economy and on the wellbeing of citizens, and requesting government funding be made available to implement swift appropriate actions in response and (b) include at the beginning of the proposed letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer the following additional sentence:

“This Council welcomes the Chancellor’s recent announcement that a “future homes standard” will mandate the end of fossil-fuel heating systems so as to “lower carbon and lower fuel bills too.”

Note:  Councillors Mrs Blackmore left the meeting prior to consideration of this motion (8:40 p.m.) and Councillors J and T Sams left the meeting during consideration of the motion (8.42 p.m.).