Councillor Gerrish in presenting his motion made reference to some alterations made to the version published in the agenda which reflected some amendments from Councillor Spillman’s Amendment.

The Motion now read as follows:

“Thurrock Council therefore resolves to:

1.1       Declare a ‘Climate Emergency’ that requires urgent action;

1.2       Request that the Council’s activities become net-zero carbon by 2030;

1.3       Request that the Council embed this work in all areas and take responsibility for reducing, as rapidly as possible, the carbon emissions resulting from the Council’s activities;

1.4       Request that the relevant Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Climate Change convenes a Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change and a Climate Change partnership group, involving Councillors, residents, young citizens, climate science and solutions experts, businesses and other relevant parties. Over the following 6 months, the Group should consider strategies and actions being developed by the Council and other partner organisations and develop a strategy in line with a target of net zero emissions by 2030. It should also recommend ways to maximise local benefits of these actions in other sectors such as employment, health, agriculture, transport and the economy. The membership of this group should be agreed in consultation with Group Leaders;

1.5       Request that all reports in preparation for the 2020/21 budget cycle and investment strategy will take into account the actions the Council will take to address this emergency;

1.6       Request that the Leader write to the UK Government asking them to provide the powers, resources and help with funding to make this possible, and ask local MPs to do likewise.”

Councillor Gerrish was proud to present the Motion and recognised the need in Thurrock to address climate change due to the increase of air pollution, potential flooding, the proposed Lower Thames Crossing, proposed 13,000 new homes to be built in the borough and that this was the perfect time to make this statement. That Thurrock Council should take the lead on this and hoped that it would be tackled across party.

Councillor Gerrish was happy to take some of the amendments from Councillor Spillman Amendment Motion and agreed to accept 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3; altered the wording on 1.4 to say 6 months and added “membership of this group should be agreed in consultation with group leaders”; agreed to accept 1.5 and 1.6 but did not accept 1.7.

A proposed amendment to the Motion had been submitted by Councillor

Halden. The amended Motion read as follows:

“Thurrock Council therefore resolves to:

1.1       Declare that climate, pollutant and ecology issues require real action;

1.2       Request that the Council’s activities aim to become carbon neutral by 2050, in line with the government target;

1.3       Request that the Council embed this work in all areas and take responsibility for reducing, as rapidly as possible and practical, the carbon emissions resulting from the Council’s activities;

1.4       Request that the relevant Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Climate

Change convenes a Cross Party Council Working Group on climate issues. Over the following 6 months, the Group should consider strategies and actions being developed by the Council and other partner organisations and develop a strategy in line with a aim of net zero emissions by 2050. It should also recommend new KIP’s to the cabinet, within 6 months, and ways to maximise local benefits of these actions in other sectors such as employment, health, agriculture, transport and the economy;

1.5      Request that all reports in preparation for the 2020/21 budget cycle and investment strategy will continue to take into account the actions the Council will take to address this work;

1.6       Request that the Leader write to the UK Government asking them to provide the powers, resources and help with funding to make this possible, and ask local MPs to do likewise;

1.7       Council condemns the activities of the “extinction rebellion” movement, which have wasted Police time, harmed people’s working day, caused crime, vandalised public places, encouraged children to skip school and such. Members wish that “Extinction Rebellion” and their extreme behaviour have nothing to do with the Council.”

At 9.38pm, Councillor Halden called Point of Order questioning whether Councillor Gerrish could amend his motion once it had been moved.

At 9.41pm, Councillor Redsell called Point of Order questioning whether the Motion be taken away and worked on amongst all three groups.

Sean Clark stated that Councillor Gerrish was altering his own motion and was taking into account those amendments whilst putting the motion forward.

Councillor Halden presented his Motion by welcoming the spirit of all three groups and explained the ecology issues required action; the aim to become carbon neutral by 2050 instead of 2030; convenes a cross party council working group to ensure that it had members to take on the responsibility and in turn recommend KPIs to cabinet within six months; condemns the activities of the extinction rebellion movement as this wasted Police time, they broke the law, vandalised and encouraged children to skip school.

The Mayor called a vote on the Amendment.

At 9.46pm Councillor Halden requested a requisition vote.

For: Councillors Anderson, Churchman, Collins, Coxshall, Halden, Huelin, Kelly, Lawrence, Little, Maney, Massey, Mayes, Piccolo, Redsell, Rigby, Sammons, Van Day and Watkins (18)

Against : Councillors Abbas, Akinbohun, Allen, Baker, Chukwu, Duffin, Fish, Fletcher, Gerrish, Holloway, C Kent, J Kent, Kerin, Liddiard, Muldowney, Okunade, Pothecary, Potter, Ralph, Shinnick, Smith, Spillman and Worrall (23)

Abstain: (0)

Whereupon the Mayor declared the Amendment lost.

The Mayor called a vote on the Substantive Motion as amended.

Upon being put to the vote 25 members voted for the Substantive Motion with 16 Members voted against, whereupon the Mayor declared the Substantive Motion carried.

Councillor Spillman was asked whether he wished to pursue with his Amendment to which Councillor Spillman withdrew his Amendment.