Issue - meetings

Ms Heather Munro asked the following questions:

In light of the recent Decarbonisation Plan which was agreed by Argyll and Bute Council, how do the councillors intend to approach the climate emergency in the Helensburgh and Lomond area?  Specifically:

1. Do the Councillors feel they have enough training on the climate change problem, to be able to deal with it in all their day to day roles?  If not, can I recommend the government-funded online training provided by Keep Scotland Beautiful: Climate Emergency Training for Community Leaders Registration, Mon 11 Jan 2021 at 00:00 | Eventbrite
2. How do the councillors plan to bring consideration of the climate crisis in every aspect of their roles?  For example, on the agenda today I can see that many of the items have implications for climate mitigation and/or climate adaptation.  How will they ensure these are routinely dealt with in everything the council does going forward?  Can I suggest adding to the end of all papers, where there are mandatory comments on implications, a requirement to consider implications for climate mitigation and implications for climate adaptation?
3. Would the Committee feel it would be helpful for one member to take the role of climate champion, to oversee this and drive it forward in the Helensburgh and Lomond area? 

The Chair confirmed that a Short Life Working Group around climate change had been set up by the Council and that the Group had recently reported to Council. The Council has agreed that there will now be quarterly updates to the Policy and Resources Committee which will provide an update from the Council’s Climate Change Board.  The Chair advised that she was sure that the Council was following all government guidance and guidelines on creating a clean, safe environment for the people of Argyll and Bute to live in as well as tackling the climate change matters of the day.

Councillor Morton noted that she had previously been a part of the Climate Change Short Life Working Group and advised that a number of the issues raised by Ms Munro had previously been discussed there, including the addition of climate change to the implications referenced in reports, however this was not currently being taken forward. Councillor Morton advised that the Decarbonisation plan agreed by the Council was only the starting point in Argyll and Bute’s response to climate change.

Councillor Morton confirmed that training was available to Councillors through the Members Services team and a Members Seminar on Climate Change and the Decarbonisation plan had taken place approximately 4 weeks previously.  Councillor Morton advised that she was sure that more training could be made available if requested and noted that the Head of Commercial Services was also likely to be happy to discuss this with Councillors if requested.

Councillor Morton provided comment on the suggestion of a Climate Change Champion, noting that previously this approach had not been supported as there had been a high and somewhat unrealistic expectation that the appointment of a Champion would resolve the issue. Councillor Morton advised that Councillors would continue to make decisions around the high level policy and strategy on climate change, such as the Decarbonisation plan, and that this would be delivered by Officers on the ground.

Ms Munro advised that she was aware that climate change was a massive issue and she was very supportive of the Decarbonisation plan, noting that she was aware that every individual had to do their bit to reduce their carbon emissions. Ms Munro reiterated the importance of climate change and urged all Councillors to receive as much training as possible and to act on this as much as possible in all aspects of their work.

Councillor Trail confirmed that he would be happy to receive training around climate change issues, as referenced by Ms Munro, and asked that the link for same be circulated to Members following the meeting.