Agenda item

Having complied with the Motions Procedure as set out in the council’s Constitution the motion attached will be proposed by Cllr Sarah Sharp and if duly seconded it will then be discussed at this meeting.

Cllr Sharp proposed her Motion which was seconded by Cllr Brown.

 

Her Motion was as follows:

 

Everyone has the right to a warm home that is affordable to heat:

 

·         Improving energy efficiency is central to tackling the energy crisis & cost of living crisis;

·         Fossil fuels should be left in the ground, & investment in energy supply should instead be targeted at renewables;

·         All new homes & workplaces should be built to the highest possible energy efficiency standards.

This council notes that:

 

·         Chichester District Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 which makes the District an inappropriate place to carry out oil and gas exploration:

·         Buildings account for 23% of UK greenhouse gas emissions;

·         CDC has supported energy efficiency for homes & businesses in the district, but needs far more support from central government

·         Current UK government investment in energy efficiency is nowhere near the level required to address fuel poverty or meet our legally binding UK climate targets. To date only approximately 50 homes have been improved through Local Authority ECO3 Flex and Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery schemes.

The council therefore calls on the Leader to write to the Prime Minister & to our MPs to call for:

 

·         Immediate further direct financial support to help people to manage the cost of living crisis, with most support provided to low income households;

·         A fully funded nationwide action plan to insulate all homes & businesses as quickly as possible to improve energy efficiency & reduce bills;

·         A commitment to keep fossil fuels in the ground, & to invest instead in developing the renewable energy technologies & businesses that are essential for our future energy security;

·         A commitment to require any applications for oil and gas exploration, including fracking, to demonstrate a net zero impact on carbon emissions, environmental and population health and water supplies;

·         Immediate introduction of significantly improved energy efficiency standards for new buildings.

 

Cllr Brown as seconder was invited to speak. He proposed his amendments submitted in advance of the meeting as per the Motions procedure. His amendments were as follows:

 

Amendment A:

 

Change: “The Council therefore calls on the Leader to write to the Prime Minister and to our MPs to call for:”

 

To: “The Council therefore calls on the Leader to write to the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and to our MPs to call for:”

 

Amendment B:

 

Add the following to Bullet Point three:

 

"including capping the Autumn Statement’s newly increased windfall tax on renewable energy to be no greater than that imposed on fossil fuels and to give the same investment allowances to renewables that are available to fossil fuel investors."

 

As Cabinet member Cllr Plant then responded. She explained that everyone is aware of how the cost of energy bills, energy security and climate emergency are inextricably linked together and that improved energy efficiency in housing and other buildings and investment in renewable energy will provide a way forward.  She explained that the councils influence with central government is limited, but she gave her support for a call for further action and confirmed she would be happy to write to government including the local MPs on this important matter. In relation to the specific points raised Cllr Plant explained that direct financial support is a short term measure and whilst it should be targeted at those in most need the government’s proposals for this are already clear and are unlikely to change in the short term. In terms of the second point, an insulation programme would be a more sustainable way of reducing energy bills. However in the current fiscal situation, a fully funded nationwide Plan for all may not amount to the most efficient use of our national resources. Nevertheless, any such plan needs to provide clear incentives for people to take action and also tackle the non-financial barriers to improving energy efficiency. With regard to the three points concerning: investment in renewably energy technologies; ensuring a net zero approach to our national energy strategy; and finally, bringing forward the planned Future Buildings standards for new builds Cllr Plant agreed that the council could and should urge government to act and request that the local MPs support them. Based on the comments made above Cllr Plant gave support to the thrust of the Motion.

 

Cllr Purnell requested a vote on each of the points of the Motion as she could support some of the points but not others. This proposal was seconded by Cllr Dignum.

 

Cllr Plowman gave his support to the Motion.

 

With regard to the second, third and fourth bullet points Cllr Oakley commented that members on the WSCC Planning Committee may wish to consider abstaining. He asked members to consider whether there is capacity within industry and where the materials would come from. He suggested maximising tidal energy. Cllr Apel gave her support to the suggestion.

 

Cllr Lintill explained that she would be happy to write on all but the first bullet point which had been superseded by the Autumn Budget Statement.

 

Cllr Hobbs gave his support to the thrust of the Motion. He asked whether the wording could be amendment to ‘acknowledge the council’s support’.

 

Cllr Briscoe commented on the practicalities of the Motion but explained he felt the proposals were admirable. 

 

Cllr Barrie acknowledged what remained outside of the council’s control. She spoke in support of the Motion and called for change.

 

Cllr Palmer explained that he would support bullet points two and five only.

 

Cllr Sutton commented on bullet points three and four as aspirational.

 

Cllr Brown explained that the Motion is to fund the creation of the action plan not the outcome of an action plan.

 

Cllr Moss gave his support to the Motion in full.

 

Cllr Hobbs asked if Cllr Sharp would consider the wording again to acknowledge the council’s desire rather than committing to it. Cllr Sharp agreed if it meant the Motion could be supported.

 

Cllr Sharp confirmed that she had accepted the inclusion of Cllr Brown’s amendments within her Motion.

 

Cllr Lintill explained that she would share the draft with Cllr Sharp before sending the letter.

 

Cllr Purnell requested more information on the wording in order to be able to vote.

 

Cllr Lintill confirmed that the wording would remove the word commitment and bullet point one.

 

Mr Bennett explained that the Leader would be required to write broadly in terms of the Motion and amendments.

 

Cllr Moss requested that the letter be shared with both Cllr Sharp and Cllr Brown as proposer and seconder.

 

Cllr Duncton explained that as a member of both the South Downs National Park and WSCC Planning Committee’s she would not be voting on bullet points three and four.

 

Cllr Purnell then withdrew her proposal to vote on the bullet points separately.

 

In a vote the Motion as amended was carried:

 

RESOLVED

 

This council notes that:

 

·         Chichester District Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 which makes the District an inappropriate place to carry out oil and gas exploration:

·         Buildings account for 23% of UK greenhouse gas emissions;

·         CDC has supported energy efficiency for homes & businesses in the district, but needs far more support from central government

·         Current UK government investment in energy efficiency is nowhere near the level required to address fuel poverty or meet our legally binding UK climate targets. To date only approximately 50 homes have been improved through Local Authority ECO3 Flex and Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery schemes.

The Council therefore calls on the Leader to write to the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and to our MPs to call for:

 

·         A fully funded nationwide action plan to insulate all homes & businesses as quickly as possible to improve energy efficiency & reduce bills.

·         Acknowledges the desire to keep fossil fuels in the ground, & to invest instead in developing the renewable energy technologies & businesses that are essential for our future energy security including capping the Autumn Statement’s newly increased windfall tax on renewable energy to be no greater than that imposed on fossil fuels and to give the same investment allowances to renewables that are available to fossil fuel investors.

·         Acknowledges the desire to require any applications for oil and gas exploration, including fracking, to demonstrate a net zero impact on carbon emissions, environmental and population health and water supplies;

·         Immediate introduction of significantly improved energy efficiency standards for new buildings.