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Agenda item

Notice of Motion

(a)      Climate Emergency

 

Moved by Councillor Tim Mitchell and seconded by Councillor Karen Scarborough

 

The Council notes:

 

1.     The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, which outlined the need for immediate action if global temperatures are to be kept within 1.5°C of pre-industrial levels.

 

2.     That tackling climate change has been a key priority for this Council and decisive action has already been taken to create a more sustainable environment through the commitment to deliver a healthier and greener city in its City for All plan and the steps to maintaining, protecting and improving the environment set out in the 10-year Greener City Action Plan. Such actions include:

 

·            Installing one of the most extensive Electric Vehicle infrastructure networks in the country having recently doubled our network with currently over 400 charging points installed across the city.   We continue to install EV infrastructure across the city.

 

·            Introducing a city-wide diesel parking surcharge to reduce the numbers of older more polluting diesel vehicles using our roads.

 

·            Reducing the Council’s own energy consumption and associated carbon emissions by more than 40% between 2014/15 and 2017/18.

 

·            Investing in solar improvements across its housing portfolio, as well as managing and delivering one of the UK’s longest running district heat networks; the Pimlico District Heating Unit (PDHU), supplying low carbon heat to over 3,500 local households, three schools and over 50 commercial customers.

 

·            Running the award winning #dontbeidle campaign to raise the awareness of the need to cut idling emissions.

 

·            Establishing a School Clean Air Fund (SCAF) to support our primary and nursery schools to deliver air quality improvements to protect the health of our children.

 

The Council resolves to:

 

1.          Declare a climate emergency.

 

2.          Become a net zero carbon emissions Council by 2030, which will include influencing and encouraging companies in the investment in and development of cleaner fuels and renewable energy and taking positive action to ensure that our suppliers make significant progress in the reduction of their carbon footprints.

 

3.          Put in place policies which achieve net zero carbon emissions in the City of Westminster by 2040, ten years ahead of the Government target for the country.

 

4.          Support ongoing dialogue with the community about environmental issues in the city and action the Council can take to tackle activity which is harmful to our environment.

 

5.          Work with partners in the city to make the case to Government for the necessary legislative reforms and funding to support Westminster’s ambitions for a greener city.

 

6.          Ask the City Management and Public Protection Policy & Scrutiny Committee to receive a report from the Cabinet Member for Environment and City Management in Spring 2020 on progress made since this motion was passed.

 

(b)      Climate Emergency

 

Moved by Councillor Pancho Lewis and seconded by Councillor Andrea Mann.

 

This Council notes that:

 

1.              The climate crisis is an existential threat. It is arguably the single biggest challenge facing humankind today.

2.              According to a recent UN report, global emissions of greenhouse gases must be halved by 2030.

3.              On our current trajectory, the world will be more than 3 degrees Celsius warmer by the end of the century compared to pre-industrial levels.

4.              More than a hundred UK local authorities have publicly declared a state of climate emergency since this UN report was released.

This Council believes that:

 

Westminster must recognise its responsibility to reduce carbon emissions and take urgent steps to tackle the climate crisis.

 

This Council resolves to take four steps to respond to the climate emergency:

 

1.              First, by passing this motion it publicly declares a state of climate emergency. Alongside this declaration, it sets a goal to become carbon neutral by 2030 and zero carbon by 2050.

2.              Second, it will establish a robust and accountable process to keep on track and delivers on these targets. It will establish a Climate Assembly to ensure citizens in Westminster are engaged in the conversation about how to tackle the climate crisis.

3.              Third, it will work with contractors to conduct an audit of the emissions linked to food served in café’s/restaurants operated on behalf of the council and its catering suppliers, and should work to reduce the food miles involved, while providing improved meat-free options.

4.              Finally, it will help deliver green energy. It will sign the UK100 clean energy pledge, which commits to shifting towards 100% clean energy by 2050.

(c)      “No Deal” Brexit

Moved by Councillor Adam Hug and seconded by Councillor Geoff Barraclough

 

This Council notes the real risks posed to the citizens of Westminster and Westminster City Council by leaving the European Union without an agreed deal as evidenced by the UK Government’s YellowHammer civil contingency plans. 

 

The Council believes that a ‘No deal’ Brexit could cause significant damage to Westminster City Council’s finances, both directly and indirectly, and potentially further aggravate issues for the Council’s contractors.

 

This Council believes that a ‘No deal’ Brexit would have a significant impact on the livelihoods of Westminster residents and on the local economy, as well as having serious consequences for vulnerable residents who depend on medication that could be in short supply, including cancer treatment.

 

This Council notes that the official Vote Leave Campaign, led by the now Prime Minister, promised voters in 2016 that the UK would leave the UK with a negotiated and beneficial deal.

 

This Council resolves to make urgent representations to the National Government and to all relevant stakeholders to avoid ‘No Deal’.

 

This Council affirms its opposition to a ‘No deal’ Brexit and also resolves to further enhance the council’s preparations to mitigate the damage it may cause to our city.

 

 

 

Minutes:

12.1    The Majority Party had selected for debate the notice of motion (a) Climate Emergency as set out on the agenda.  The notice of motion was moved by Councillor Tim Mitchell and seconded by Councillor Karen Scarborough.

 

12.2    The Minority Party had submitted an amendment to the notice of motion as set out on the order paper. 

 

12.3    Councillor Pancho Lewis moved and it was seconded by Councillor Andrea Mann that the notice of motion be amended, as follows:

 

           At the end of 'The Council Resolves' point 2, to add ‘It will become a truly zero carbon Council by 2050 when it will no longer use offsets to achieve its zero carbon target.’

 

           At the end of 'The Council Resolves' point 4, to add ‘It will strongly consider the use of Climate Assemblies as a model to facilitate this dialogue.’

 

           After 'The Council Resolves' point 6, to add two further resolutions to be numbered 7 and 8:

 

           7. Work with contractors and other partners to conduct an audit of the emissions linked to food offered on Council premises to reduce the food miles involved and provide improved meat-free options.

 

           8. Sign the UK100 clean energy pledge which commits to shifting the Council towards receiving 100% of its energy from clean sources by 2050.’

 

12.4    Following debate, Councillor Aiken agreed to accept the amendment to         the motion. 

 

12.5    Councillor Lewis advised in view of the Leader’s acceptance that the Minority Party’s notice of motion (b, Climate Emergency) was withdrawn.

 

12.6    The Lord Mayor put the substantive motion to the vote and on a show of hands declared the substantive motion carried.

 

           RESOLVED:

 

           The Council notes:

 

1.     The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, which outlined the need for immediate action if global temperatures are to be kept within 1.5°C of pre-industrial levels.

 

2.     That tackling climate change has been a key priority for this Council and decisive action has already been taken to create a more sustainable environment through the commitment to deliver a healthier and greener city in its City for All plan and the steps to maintaining, protecting and improving the environment set out in the 10-year Greener City Action Plan. Such actions include:

 

·         Installing one of the most extensive Electric Vehicle infrastructure networks in the country having recently doubled our network with currently over 400 charging points installed across the city.   We continue to install EV infrastructure across the city.

 

·         Introducing a city-wide diesel parking surcharge to reduce the numbers of older more polluting diesel vehicles using our roads.

 

·         Reducing the Council’s own energy consumption and associated carbon emissions by more than 40% between 2014/15 and 2017/18.

 

·         Investing in solar improvements across its housing portfolio, as well as managing and delivering one of the UK’s longest running district heat networks; the Pimlico District Heating Unit (PDHU), supplying low carbon heat to over 3,500 local households, three schools and over 50 commercial customers.

 

·         Running the award winning #dontbeidle campaign to raise the awareness of the need to cut idling emissions.

 

·         Establishing a School Clean Air Fund (SCAF) to support our primary and nursery schools to deliver air quality improvements to protect the health of our children.

 

        The Council resolves to:

 

1.              Declare a climate emergency.

 

2.              Become a net zero carbon emissions Council by 2030, which will include influencing and encouraging companies in the investment in and development of cleaner fuels and renewable energy and taking positive action to ensure that our suppliers make significant progress in the reduction of their carbon footprints.  It will become a truly zero carbon Council by 2050 when it will no longer use offsets to achieve its zero carbon target.

 

3.              Put in place policies which achieve net zero carbon emissions in the City of Westminster by 2040, ten years ahead of the Government target for the country.

 

4.              Support ongoing dialogue with the community about environmental issues in the city and action the Council can take to tackle activity which is harmful to our environment.  It will strongly consider the use of Climate Assemblies as a model to facilitate this dialogue.

 

5.              Work with partners in the city to make the case to Government for the necessary legislative reforms and funding to support Westminster’s ambitions for a greener city.

 

6.              Ask the City Management and Public Protection Policy & Scrutiny Committee to receive a report from the Cabinet Member for Environment and City Management in Spring 2020 on progress made since this motion was passed.

 

7.       Work with contractors and other partners to conduct an audit of the emissions linked to food offered on Council premises to reduce the food miles involved and provide improved meat-free options.

 

8.       Sign the UK100 clean energy pledge which commits to shifting the Council towards receiving 100% of its energy from clean sources by 2050.

 

12.7    The Minority Party had selected for debate the notice of motion, No Deal Brexit as set out on the agenda.  The notice of motion was moved by Councillor Adam Hug and seconded by Councillor Geoff Barraclough

 

12.8    The Minority Party had submitted an amendment to the notice of motion as set out on the order paper. 

 

12.9    Councillor Matthew Green moved and it was seconded by Councillor Tim Barnes that the notice of motion be amended, as follows:

 

            This Council notes the real risks posed to the citizens of Westminster and Westminster City Council by leaving the European Union without an agreed deal

 

           Remove:

 

           [as evidenced by the UK Government’s YellowHammer civil            contingency plans.

 

           The Council believes that a ‘No deal’ Brexit could cause significant damage to Westminster City Council’s finances, both directly and indirectly, and potentially further aggravate issues for the Council’s contractors.

 

           This Council believes that a ‘No deal’ Brexit would have a significant impact on the livelihoods of Westminster residents and on the local economy, as well as having serious consequences for vulnerable residents who depend on medication that could be in short supply, including cancer treatment.

 

           This Council notes that the official Vote Leave Campaign, led by the now Prime Minister, promised voters in 2016 that the UK would leave the UK with a negotiated and beneficial deal.

 

           This Council resolves to make urgent representations to the National Government and to all relevant stakeholders to avoid ‘No Deal’.

 

           This Council affirms its opposition to a ‘No deal’ Brexit and also resolves to further enhance the council’s preparations to mitigate the damage it may cause to our city.]

 

           And add:

 

           The Council resolves to mitigate potential risks by focusing on issues within its own remit, including providing practical support to both EU citizens and local businesses as well as working closely with other London boroughs to prepare for leaving the European Union with or without an agreed deal.

 

           The Council affirms its support for the EU nationals who live in Westminster and agrees to continue to engage with them in the run-up to Brexit and beyond.

 

           The Council recognises the importance of the service run by Citizens Advice and financed through the MyWestminster Fund to support the city’s EU residents with guidance in person, online and by telephone.

 

           The Council notes the installation of six Android devices in Victoria Library that are available to Westminster’s EU residents free of charge to support them in making settled status applications and welcomes the recent installation of further devices in Paddington and Charing Cross Libraries.

 

           In terms of supporting business, the Council conducts regular engagement activities including surveys and events to understand the concerns of our local business community and acknowledges the concerns and uncertainty around Brexit that have been raised.  These activities have enabled the Council to understand better the Brexit-related challenges that are faced by businesses, in particular, in terms of recruitment and retention.

 

           Based on the survey findings, the Council recognises the need to develop a provision to help businesses to recruit locally. The Council notes the establishment of the HIRE Westminster service that will initially focus on retail and hospitality with a number of Westminster businesses in this sector already signing up to the programme.

 

           The Council welcomes the positive results of the HIRE Westminster service since it was set up just last month, including a community- based recruitment and training day that was held in Church Street and 17 job starts that have already been secured with employers participating in the scheme.

 

           The Council resolves to request that the Cabinet provide additional support to meet needs of business after Brexit, including by delivering training for local young people to prepare them for careers in the relevant sectors.

 

           The Council agrees to continue to work alongside London Councils and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in preparing for Brexit to ensure as smooth a transition as possible. The Council agrees to continue to work with the London Resilience Forum on all matters arising from preparations for Brexit.

 

12.10   Councillor Iain Bott referred to an error in the amendment as set out in the Order Paper in that there are two rather than six Android devices installed in Victoria Library that are available to Westminster’s EU residents free of charge to support them in making settled status applications.

 

12.11  Following debate, the Lord Mayor put the amendment to the motion to the vote and on a show of hands declared the amendment carried.

 

12.12  The Lord Mayor then put the substantive motion to the vote and on a show of hands put the substantive motion carried.

 

           RESOLVED: 

 

           This Council notes the real risks posed to the citizens of Westminster and Westminster City Council by leaving the European Union without an agreed deal.

 

            The Council resolves to mitigate potential risks by focusing on issues within its own remit, including providing practical support to both EU citizens and local businesses as well as working closely with other London boroughs to prepare for leaving the European Union with or without an agreed deal.

 

            The Council affirms its support for the EU nationals who live in Westminster and agrees to continue to engage with them in the run-up to Brexit and beyond.

 

            The Council recognises the importance of the service run by Citizens Advice and financed through the MyWestminster Fund to support the city’s EU residents with guidance in person, online and by telephone.

 

 

 

            The Council notes the installation of six Android devices in Victoria Library that are available to Westminster’s EU residents free of charge to support them in making settled status applications and welcomes the recent installation of further devices in Paddington and Charing Cross Libraries.

 

            In terms of supporting business, the Council conducts regular engagement activities including surveys and events to understand the concerns of our local business community and acknowledges the concerns and uncertainty around Brexit that have been raised.  These activities have enabled the Council to understand better the Brexit-related challenges that are faced by businesses, in particular, in terms of recruitment and retention.

 

            Based on the survey findings, the Council recognises the need to develop a provision to help businesses to recruit locally. The Council notes the establishment of the HIRE Westminster service that will initially focus on retail and hospitality with a number of Westminster businesses in this sector already signing up to the programme.

 

            The Council welcomes the positive results of the HIRE Westminster service since it was set up just last month, including a community- based recruitment and training day that was held in Church Street and 17 job starts that have already been secured with employers participating in the scheme.

 

            The Council resolves to request that the Cabinet provide additional support to meet needs of business after Brexit, including by delivering training for local young people to prepare them for careers in the relevant sectors.

 

            The Council agrees to continue to work alongside London Councils and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in preparing for Brexit to ensure as smooth a transition as possible. The Council agrees to continue to work with the London Resilience Forum on all matters arising from preparations for Brexit.