Agenda item - Public Participation

Agenda item

Public Participation

(Council Procedure Rules Section 6) Members of the public who live or work in the District may put questions about the work of the Council or make statements on items on the agenda to members of the Cabinet or any Committee. A person who wishes to speak must register at least fifteen minutes before the time the meeting is scheduled to start.

 

(Note: The maximum time to be set aside for this item is 30 minutes, but if all questions/statements are dealt with sooner, or if there are no questions/statements, the Council will proceed to the next business.)

 

Each person may ask one question or make one statement only. A total of five minutes will be allowed for the question to be put and answered or the statement made. If a question is raised, one supplementary question will be allowed provided that it arises directly from the reply and the overall time limit of five minutes is not exceeded.

 

If a statement is made, then the Chair may allow the Leader of the Council, or other Member to whom they refer the matter, a right of reply.

 

Written questions may be submitted by members of the public to the Monitoring Officer no later than 10.00 am on Wednesday 18 September 2019. The written notification should detail the full question to be asked at the meeting of the Council.

Minutes:

The following members of the public spoke under this agenda item:

 

1. Richard Hallewell of a residence located within the district, asked a question in connection with whether the Council should agree to the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly so that the creation and implementation of climate related policy should be separated from all political and commercial agendas.

 

In response, Councillor John Griffiths, Leader of the Council welcomed those seated in the public gallery to the meeting, adding that the Council shared their concerns regarding climate change and the adverse impacts on the environment and biodiversity.

 

He stated that in order for the Council to make an informed decision on whether to agree to supporting a Citizens’ Assembly, he would refer the matter to the Environment and Climate Change Taskforce to consider as part of its remit.

 

In a supplementary statement, Mr Hallewell stated he would be pleased to work with the Taskforce to provide further information on this matter.

 

2. Julia Wakelam of Bury St Edmunds, made a statement in connection with the climate crisis she considered the world was currently facing. Ms Wakelam welcomed the Cabinet’s recommendation for the Council to declare a climate emergency and supported the establishment of the Environment and Climate Change Taskforce and its proposal to work with stakeholders. However, Ms Wakelam expressed concern that whilst such commitment had been demonstrated by the Council, it needed to ensure measurable actions emanated from that commitment. She considered that the Council should aim for the district to be carbon neutral by 2030 and provided examples of how this could be achieved.  Ms Wakelam referred to the motion put by Councillor Diane Hind to the former St Edmundsbury Borough Council in December 2017 which looked to improving air quality by requesting that anti-idling zones be introduced outside schools etc. She felt that action taken to tackle this specific issue could have been taken more quickly.

 

In response, Councillor John Griffiths, Leader of the Council, drew attention to the range of actions that had already been taken to address adverse environmental impacts, including actions taken to improve air quality, and the measurable outcomes that had been achieved by taking such action.  He acknowledged that more could be done and expected the Environment and Climate Change Taskforce to look in depth at the various issues that were contributing to climate change and the impact on the environment, and West Suffolk’s role to help mitigate the effects.   

 

3. Robert Possnett of a residence located within the district, asked a question in respect of whether the Council supported the Global Strike that was expected to be held on Friday 20 September 2019. 

 

In response, Councillor John Griffiths, Leader of the Council stated that he was not in a position to have a fully informed view on the matter; however, he supported the initiative to mitigate the effects of climate change that were within the powers of the Council to make a difference.

 

In response to a supplementary question, Councillor Griffiths stated he was always willing to learn more and looked forward to working with partners on a range of environmental issues.

 

4. Mandy Leathers of a residence located within the district, made a statement in connection with the Exponential Climate Change Road Map, which listed 36 potential solutions to halve carbon emissions by 2030.  Ms Leathers also made suggestions on how the Council could contribute to making environmental improvements such as introducing more cycle ways and making individuals aware of their own responsibilities for tackling climate change on a day-to-day basis.

 

In response, Councillor John Griffiths, Leader of the Council stated that all Members would be provided with access to the Exponential Road Map and the Environmental and Climate Change Taskforce would look at the issues raised within it and other areas as part of its work.  Work was starting on the early stages of development of the new West Suffolk Local Plan and the provision of additional cycle ways in certain areas would potentially form part of that process.

 

In a supplementary statement, Ms Leathers acknowledged the work of the Council and hoped all could work together to achieve, what she considered to be, a brighter future for everyone.

 

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