Row over Winchester City Council's response to climate change

Green councillor Danny Lee urged council leader Martin Tod to write to MPs and group leader to fast-track decarbonisation and also to ask Hampshire County Council to work closer with districts to accelerate the delivery of net zero and nature restoration.

Introducing his motion at the full council meeting on Tuesday, July 16, Cllr Lee said: “Achieving net zero locally is projected to cost half as much as a national approach while tripling financial returns( and delivering three times faster.

“Despite this, national preparation for climate change impacts remain inadequate. 

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“It is crucial for the new UK government to prioritise climate change with additional resources to expand local actions and meet UK's net zero targets and Nature targets.

“The Government Net Zero Strategy estimates 82 per cent of the UK’s emissions are within the scope of influence of local authorities.”

Full council (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Tod said: “There is a lot to agree with on this motion, however most of it represents a watered down version of the Liberal Democrat policies put forward by this administration or outlined by the party's General Election manifesto. Or in the case of the third resolution, something that the Liberal Democrats of Hampshire have already been working to achieve. Winchester City Council was ranked as the best council in Hampshire and the fifth best in the country for its climate action plan by Climate Emergency UK.

“Even if this was just a motion that repeated Liberal Democrat policy, it isn't right to pass it this evening. Most of these recommendations consist of asking people to do things they've already said they're going to do.

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“I confess it feels odd to be asking a government that has been in place for 12 days for a government policy reset. 

“I could contact Winchester's MP about this motion, but I would just be reminding him about the Liberal Democrat manifesto that he ran on.”

He added: “As most county councillors present will know I proposed in February that the county council accelerate its decarbonisation plan from 2050 to 2040. I have also been a frequent and public advocate of mainstreaming the climate emergency more strongly into their collaboration with the districts. 

“However, I lost the argument. The Conservative party, the Labour party and the independent group that the Green Party has just decided to join chose not to support a faster timing.

“So before telling the rest of us what to do, I suggest the Green Party sorts out its own council group and get them to support Hampshire accelerating its work on climate change and nature restoration before lecturing the party that's actually done something to try and change it.” 

Green Party councillor Malcolm Wallace, who seconded the motion, said: “During the election period, many people were frustrated at the lack of debate on the environment. The UK is likely to miss its climate targets by a long way. We can't keep delaying action and not expecting consequences. Action is being stifled.” 

Cllr Lee said: “I don't agree with what has been said this evening. I'm asking that we take action faster. We need tangible change in how we work together. There is no harm in saying the clock is ticking.”

The motion was quashed with the 28 Lib Dems voting against and six Conservatives abstaining. All three Green councillors voted for it, as well as independent member Sue Cook.