Council overturns a climate emergency declaration decision

A CLIMATE emergency declaration made by Staffordshire County Council six years ago has been overturned by the new elected members representing Reform UK.

- By KERRY ASHDOWN Local Democracy Reporter

The authority was one of several across Staffordshire to declare a climate emergency in 2019. At the time, it was under Conservative administration.

Since then, work to tackle climate change has seen the county council cut its carbon emissions by more than half. The authority had set a target to reach net zero by 2025.

In May, Reform UK took over the administration of the authority after sweeping to victory in the county council elections. At this week’s full council meeting, elected members backed a motion put forward by Councillor Andrew Mynors to rescind the climate emergency declaration made in July 2019.

The cabinet member for connectivity proposed in his motion:

“Rather than chasing long-term targets, we will focus on protecting and enhancing our environment and the impacts we can have now, particularly if they can deliver value for money for our communities, businesses and the county council. Cabinet will produce a new environmental strategy, and supporting action plan, for Staffordshire.”