Agenda item
Consideration of petition: "Citizens' Assembly On The Climate Crisis"
Minutes:
The Council considered a report on the receipt of a joint petition and e-petition on 9 March 2020, containing a combined total of 503 signatories and e-signatories, requesting the Council to
“implement a binding citizens' assembly to formulate a plan for the council to tackle the climate emergency. This could be instructed as the first meaningful action of the Climate Change Innovation Board which has the mandate to build a borough-wide plan for tackling climate change.”
As there were in excess of 500 signatures, the Council’s Petition Scheme required the full Council to debate the matters raised by the petition/e-petition and to indicate to the petition organiser what action the Council proposed to take in response.
The report included the petition organiser’s supporting statement accompanying the petition, which had stated:
“We applaud Guildford Borough Council in telling the truth and declaring a Climate Emergency in July 2019. We now need to act without delay and involve the residents of Guildford in a citizens’ assembly. We do not need another slow moving local authority committee.
We need action.
Your initiative to have a Climate Change and Innovation Board (CCIB) has minimal public involvement and is to report to the GBC Executive within 12 months.
It is an emergency, not business as usual. 12 months is too late. The public need to be with you to formulate climate policies for the council, the area and for individuals – not be held at arm’s length while a committee deliberates.
The residents of Guildford have to be involved to drive climate policy by holding binding citizens’ assemblies on how to tackle our borough’s emissions. This will remove any party-political bias and corporate interest from the process, and sidestep decisions being made based on the short-term focus of re-election.
Expert individuals and organisations will be employed to present Guildford constituents with the most appropriate ways to mitigate the threat of climate breakdown and devise a strategy for Guildford reaching net zero, as per the council's commitment on 23rd July 2019.
This will also empower the community in their
efforts in tackling the climate emergency, whilst allowing for a
truly democratic decision on how we, as a community, combat the
climate emergency. The council must be a leader on the crisis, and
take every possible opportunity to give the public the power in
deciding how our tax-payer funds are used to tackle an existential
crisis which affects all of us, as well as our children and
generations to come.
At least a dozen other councils have already done this. A
citizens’ assembly could be convened within 4 months and
report back to the council with binding recommendations with 6
months.
Camden Council is renowned as the leading London borough on climate action (Friends Of The Earth study, Sep ‘19). They initiated a binding Citizens Assembly from which a detailed and realistic 17-point action plan was drawn, and which allowed for immediate action. GBC also ranked well in the FoE study, and as such it is appropriate to follow Camden’s lead and try to climb the league table.
Citizens Assemblies have already proved highly effective in finding democratic solutions to the hardest issues to resolve.
This is an opportunity for GBC to be completely transparent - as per 2019 manifesto pledges - and to work with its constituents in this crisis. There are multiple individuals and bodies locally who can be consulted on this.
We demand that Guildford Borough Council set up a citizens’ assembly on the climate emergency without delay”.
The petition organiser, Jessie West. made a statement to the Council in support of the petition.
The Lead Councillor for Climate Change, Councillor Jan Harwood proposed and the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Caroline Reeves seconded the following motion for the purpose of the Council’s formal response to the petition:
“This Council recognised the urgency for action on climate change through the declaration of an emergency. However, given the scope and scale of the challenges we face, Guildford Borough Council cannot tackle the climate change crisis alone.
Because climate change is a global issue and requires the cooperation of everyone on the planet, in order to make a meaningful difference we must work as far as possible to develop partnerships and alliances across the county and region.
The Council recognises that we are not only facing great uncertainty over the borough’s recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, but also imminent discussions on possible unitary local government structures in Surrey, arising from the Government’s Devolution White Paper. Unitary local government in Surrey would bring about significant change to roles and responsibilities for areas and services contributing to carbon emissions. It also has the potential to create and improve strong partnerships and alliances that are better able to tackle climate change.
Therefore, we believe “implementing a binding citizens' assembly to formulate a plan for the council to tackle the climate emergency” is not appropriate or practicable at this time in these circumstances. The Council notes that the Lead Councillor for Climate Change has already held informal discussions, at lead councillor level, with a number of councils in Surrey to explore possible joint working arrangements to address the climate emergency. This work will continue. We believe that we should work proactively with our partners in this regard and ensure we are best placed to meet and adapt to any changes in local government structure in the future and be strongly placed to lead action on climate change locally and across the county. Accordingly, the Council
RESOLVES: That the Managing Director be instructed to open discussions with all Surrey councils:
(1) to explore possible formal joint working arrangements on climate change;
(2) to seek formal agreement that the implementation of robust and sustainable policies on climate change should be the leading priority for any new unitary council(s) in Surrey with a recommendation that they explore the benefits of using a citizens’ assembly as a means of engaging with the community and harnessing the power of local activism in the formulation of such policies; and
(3) to report the outcome of these discussions to the Executive.”
Under Council Procedure Rule 15 (o), Councillor Harwood as the mover of the original motion, indicated that, with the consent of his seconder and of the meeting, he wished to alter his motion as follows:
(1) In the first sentence of the fourth paragraph, after “…climate emergency”, insert “for Guildford borough alone”.
(2) At the end of the third sentence of the fourth paragraph, after “This work will continue”, insert “and will include consideration of holding a citizens’ assembly conjointly with neighbouring authorities”.
(3) After that sentence, insert the following new paragraph:
“The Council also notes that Lead Councillor for Climate Change has commenced discussions on a programme of community engagement, education and action with all Guildford stakeholders, including (but not limited to) parish councils, residents’ associations, local businesses and environmental groups, to enable Guildford borough to reach net Carbon Zero.”
(4) In paragraph (c) of the resolution within the motion, substitute “full Council” in place of “the Executive”.
The motion, as altered, would read as follows:
“This Council recognised the urgency for action on climate change through the declaration of an emergency. However, given the scope and scale of the challenges we face, Guildford Borough Council cannot tackle the climate change crisis alone.
Because climate change is a global issue and requires the cooperation of everyone on the planet, in order to make a meaningful difference we must work as far as possible to develop partnerships and alliances across the county and region.
The Council recognises that we are not only facing great uncertainty over the borough’s recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, but also imminent discussions on possible unitary local government structures in Surrey, arising from the Government’s Devolution White Paper. Unitary local government in Surrey would bring about significant change to roles and responsibilities for areas and services contributing to carbon emissions. It also has the potential to create and improve strong partnerships and alliances that are better able to tackle climate change.
Therefore, we believe “implementing a binding citizens' assembly to formulate a plan for the council to tackle the climate emergency” for Guildford borough alone is not appropriate or practicable at this time in these circumstances.
The Council notes that the Lead Councillor for Climate Change has already held informal discussions, at lead councillor level, with a number of councils in Surrey to explore possible joint working arrangements to address the climate emergency. This work will continueand will include consideration of holding a citizens’ assembly conjointly with neighbouring authorities.
The Council also notes that Lead Councillor for Climate Change has commenced discussions on a programme of community engagement, education and action with all Guildford stakeholders, including (but not limited to) parish councils, residents’ associations, local businesses and environmental groups, to enable Guildford borough to reach net Carbon Zero.
We believe that we should work proactively with our partners in this regard and ensure we are best placed to meet and adapt to any changes in local government structure in the future and be strongly placed to lead action on climate change locally and across the county. Accordingly, the Council
RESOLVES: That the Managing Director be instructed to open discussions with all Surrey councils:
(a) to explore possible formal joint working arrangements on climate change;
(b) to seek formal agreement that the implementation of robust and sustainable policies on climate change should be the leading priority for any new unitary council(s) in Surrey with a recommendation that they explore the benefits of using a citizens’ assembly as a means of engaging with the community and harnessing the power of local activism in the formulation of such policies; and
(c) to report the outcome of these discussions to full Council.”
The Council agreed to accept the alteration to the original motion, as indicated above. The motion, as altered, therefore became the substantive motion for debate.
Following the debate on the substantive motion, Councillor Susan Parker proposed, and Councillor Ramsey Nagaty seconded, the following amendment:
(1) After the second paragraph add the following paragraph:
“We also recognise the need – as expressed by Sir David Attenborough in his recent broadcast – that our response to climate change must not just be global, national, or even regional, but that it is a personal and local responsibility including that of local government and that it must start now.”
(2) In the third paragraph of the substantive motion, after “coronavirus pandemic” delete the comma and “but”, and insert a full stop followed by “There are also imminent discussions on possible unitary local government structures in Surrey, arising from the Government’s Devolution White Paper.”
(3) At the end of the first sentence of the fourth paragraph, add after “…these circumstances”, “particularly due to the impact of Covid”.
(4) At the end of the seventh paragraph, add “This is a good start.”
(5) After the seventh paragraph, add the following paragraphs:
“However, we feel that this is not enough and that we must also support the petition in agreeing to establish a Citizens’ Assembly as soon as it will be practicable to hold this due to Covid. We feel that the council should seek to change hearts and minds in the community to encourage residents to make appropriate individual choices.
We also wish to implement policies which will have an immediate impact on reducing climate change now. We recognise that Guildford is a key partner in the drive to reduce carbonemissions, and that our capacity to reduce the local carbon footprint is magnified by the planning policies which we are able to introduce”.
(6) Add the following paragraph to the resolution within the motion:
“(2) That, in addition, the Council itself commits that it will take urgent action in the short term to minimise climate change, such action shall include the development of policies by the Climate Change Board, who will present a progress report to full Council within three months, such policies will include:
(i) measures to reduce the carbon footprint of:
(a) the borough’s own activities (moving to a zero-carbon position);
(b) the borough’s assets;
(c) buildings within the borough, so that the carbon footprint impact is assessed on all planning applications and given substantial weight in determining those applications; and
(ii) new building policies, using the Council’s planning and policy role including detailed planning requirements to minimise embedded carbon and impose the highest possible standards on all new building within the borough”.
The substantive motion, as amended, would read as follows:
“This Council recognised the urgency for action on climate change through the declaration of an emergency. However, given the scope and scale of the challenges we face, Guildford Borough Council cannot tackle the climate change crisis alone.
Because climate change is a global issue and requires the cooperation of everyone on the planet, in order to make a meaningful difference we must work as far as possible to develop partnerships and alliances across the county and region.
We also recognise the need – as expressed by Sir David Attenborough in his recent broadcast – that our response to climate change must not just be global, national, or even regional, but that it is a personal and local responsibility including that of local government and that it must start now.
The Council recognises that we are not only facing great uncertainty over the borough’s recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. There are also imminent discussions on possible unitary local government structures in Surrey, arising from the Government’s Devolution White Paper. Unitary local government in Surrey would bring about significant change to roles and responsibilities for areas and services contributing to carbon emissions. It also has the potential to create and improve strong partnerships and alliances that are better able to tackle climate change.
Therefore, we believe “implementing a binding citizens' assembly to formulate a plan for the council to tackle the climate emergency” for Guildford borough alone is not appropriate or practicable at this time in these circumstances, particularly due to the impact of Covid.
The Council notes that the Lead Councillor for Climate Change has already held informal discussions, at lead councillor level, with a number of councils in Surrey to explore possible joint working arrangements to address the climate emergency. This work will continueand will include consideration of holding a citizens’ assembly conjointly with neighbouring authorities.
The Council also notes that Lead Councillor for Climate Change has commenced discussions on a programme of community engagement, education and action with all Guildford stakeholders, including (but not limited to) parish councils, residents’ associations, local businesses and environmental groups, to enable Guildford borough to reach net Carbon Zero.
We believe that we should work proactively with our partners in this regard and ensure we are best placed to meet and adapt to any changes in local government structure in the future and be strongly placed to lead action on climate change locally and across the county. This is a good start.
However, we feel that this is not enough and that we must also support the petition in agreeing to establish a Citizens’ Assembly as soon as it will be practicable to hold this due to Covid. We feel that the council should seek to change hearts and minds in the community to encourage residents to make appropriate individual choices.
We also wish to implement policies which will have an immediate impact on reducing climate change now. We recognise that Guildford is a key partner in the drive to reduce carbonemissions, and that our capacity to reduce the local carbon footprint is magnified by the planning policies which we are able to introduce.
Accordingly, the Council
RESOLVES:
(1) That the Managing Director be instructed to open discussions with all Surrey councils:
(a) to explore possible formal joint working arrangements on climate change;
(b) to seek formal agreement that the implementation of robust and sustainable policies on climate change should be the leading priority for any new unitary council(s) in Surrey with a recommendation that they explore the benefits of using a citizens’ assembly as a means of engaging with the community and harnessing the power of local activism in the formulation of such policies; and
(c) to report the outcome of these discussions to the full Council.
(2) That, in addition, the Council itself commits that it will take urgent action in the short term to minimise climate change, such action shall include the development of policies by the Climate Change Board, who will present a progress report to full Council within three months, such policies will include:
(i) measures to reduce the carbon footprint of:
(a) the borough’s own activities (moving to a zero-carbon position);
(b) the borough’s assets;
(c) buildings within the borough, so that the carbon footprint impact is assessed on all planning applications and given substantial weight in determining those applications; and
(ii) new building policies, using the Council’s planning and policy role including detailed planning requirements to minimise embedded carbon and impose the highest possible standards on all new building within the borough”.
Under Council Procedure Rule 15 (o), Councillor Parker as the mover of the amendment indicated that, with the consent of her seconder and of the meeting, she wished to alter her amendment as follows:
Substitute the following in place of paragraph (2) (i) (a) of the resolution:
“(a) the borough’s own activities (moving to a net zero-carbon position);”
The Council agreed to accept the alteration to the amendment, as indicated above.
|
For the amendment |
Against the amendment |
Abstentions |
|
Cllr Christopher Barrass Cllr David Bilbé Cllr Chris Blow Cllr Ruth Brothwell Cllr Colin Cross Cllr Graham Eyre Cllr Andrew Gomm Cllr Angela Gunning Cllr Tom Hunt Cllr Ann McShee Cllr Bob McShee Cllr Ramsey Nagaty Cllr Susan Parker Cllr John Redpath Cllr John Rigg Cllr Deborah Seabrook Cllr James Walsh Cllr Fiona White Cllr Catherine Young |
Cllr Tim Anderson Cllr Joss Bigmore Cllr Angela Goodwin Cllr David Goodwin Cllr Gillian Harwood Cllr Jan Harwood Cllr Liz Hogger Cllr Steven Lee Cllr Ted Mayne Cllr Julia McShane Cllr Masuk Miah Cllr George Potter Cllr Jo Randall Cllr Caroline Reeves Cllr Will Salmon Cllr Pauline Searle Cllr James Steel |
Cllr Paul Abbey Cllr Jon Askew Cllr Dennis Booth Cllr Maddy Redpath Cllr Tony Rooth Cllr Paul Spooner |
Following the vote on the amendment, but before the vote was taken on the substantive motion, Jessie West exercised her right of reply on the debate.
The Council
RESOLVED: That the Council’s response to the petition is as follows:
“This Council recognised the urgency for action on climate change through the declaration of an emergency. However, given the scope and scale of the challenges we face, Guildford Borough Council cannot tackle the climate change crisis alone.
Because climate change is a global issue and requires the cooperation of everyone on the planet, in order to make a meaningful difference we must work as far as possible to develop partnerships and alliances across the county and region.
We also recognise the need – as expressed by Sir David Attenborough in his recent broadcast – that our response to climate change must not just be global, national, or even regional, but that it is a personal and local responsibility including that of local government and that it must start now.
The Council recognises that we are not only facing great uncertainty over the borough’s recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. There are also imminent discussions on possible unitary local government structures in Surrey, arising from the Government’s Devolution White Paper. Unitary local government in Surrey would bring about significant change to roles and responsibilities for areas and services contributing to carbon emissions. It also has the potential to create and improve strong partnerships and alliances that are better able to tackle climate change.
Therefore, we believe “implementing a binding citizens' assembly to formulate a plan for the council to tackle the climate emergency” for Guildford borough alone is not appropriate or practicable at this time in these circumstances, particularly due to the impact of Covid.
The Council notes that the Lead Councillor for Climate Change has already held informal discussions, at lead councillor level, with a number of councils in Surrey to explore possible joint working arrangements to address the climate emergency. This work will continueand will include consideration of holding a citizens’ assembly conjointly with neighbouring authorities.
The Council also notes that Lead Councillor for Climate Change has commenced discussions on a programme of community engagement, education and action with all Guildford stakeholders, including (but not limited to) parish councils, residents’ associations, local businesses and environmental groups, to enable Guildford borough to reach net Carbon Zero.
We believe that we should work proactively with our partners in this regard and ensure we are best placed to meet and adapt to any changes in local government structure in the future and be strongly placed to lead action on climate change locally and across the county. This is a good start.
However, we feel that this is not enough and that we must also support the petition in agreeing to establish a Citizens’ Assembly as soon as it will be practicable to hold this due to Covid. We feel that the council should seek to change hearts and minds in the community to encourage residents to make appropriate individual choices.
We also wish to implement policies which will have an immediate impact on reducing climate change now. We recognise that Guildford is a key partner in the drive to reduce carbonemissions, and that our capacity to reduce the local carbon footprint is magnified by the planning policies which we are able to introduce.
Accordingly, the Council
RESOLVES:
(1) That the Managing Director be instructed to open discussions with all Surrey councils:
(a) to explore possible formal joint working arrangements on climate change;
(b) to seek formal agreement that the implementation of robust and sustainable policies on climate change should be the leading priority for any new unitary council(s) in Surrey with a recommendation that they explore the benefits of using a citizens’ assembly as a means of engaging with the community and harnessing the power of local activism in the formulation of such policies; and
(c) to report the outcome of these discussions to the full Council.
(2) That, in addition, the Council itself commits that it will take urgent action in the short term to minimise climate change, such action shall include the development of policies by the Climate Change Board, who will present a progress report to full Council within three months, such policies will include:
(i) measures to reduce the carbon footprint of:
(a) the borough’s own activities (moving to a net zero-carbon position);
(b) the borough’s assets;
(c) buildings within the borough, so that the carbon footprint impact is assessed on all planning applications and given substantial weight in determining those applications; and
(ii) new building policies, using the Council’s planning and policy role including detailed planning requirements to minimise embedded carbon and impose the highest possible standards on all new building within the borough”.
|
For the motion |
Against the motion |
Abstentions |
|
Cllr Tim Anderson Cllr Jon Askew Cllr Christopher Barrass Cllr Joss Bigmore Cllr David Bilbé Cllr Chris Blow Cllr Ruth Brothwell Cllr Colin Cross Cllr Graham Eyre Cllr Andrew Gomm Cllr Angela Goodwin Cllr David Goodwin Cllr Angela Gunning Cllr Gillian Harwood Cllr Jan Harwood Cllr Liz Hogger Cllr Tom Hunt Cllr Steven Lee Cllr Ted Mayne Cllr Julia McShane Cllr Ann McShee Cllr Bob McShee Cllr Masuk Miah Cllr Ramsey Nagaty Cllr Susan Parker Cllr George Potter Cllr Jo Randall Cllr John Redpath Cllr Maddy Redpath Cllr Caroline Reeves Cllr John Rigg Cllr Tony Rooth Cllr Will Salmon Cllr Deborah Seabrook Cllr Pauline Searle Cllr Paul Spooner Cllr James Steel Cllr James Walsh Cllr Fiona White Cllr Catherine Young |
Cllr Paul Abbey Cllr Dennis Booth |
Supporting documents:
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