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Committee recommendations to help put tackling the Climate Emergency at the forefront of future council plans

Released on June 26, 2020

The Vale of White Horse’s Climate Emergency Advisory Committee is to discuss a number of proposals which may form part of the district council’s long-term plans.

Later this year, Vale of White Horse District Council will publish a new Corporate Plan which will direct its work until 2024. The council’s Cabinet is currently developing potential themes and illustrative projects for the plan. These will be considered by the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee on Wednesday 1 July.

At its meeting, the climate committee will provide recommendations on the climate and environmental principles and illustrative projects for the new Corporate Plan.  Cabinet will then consider these recommendations as it continues to develop the plan. 

Addressing the Climate Emergency is a key priority for the council, and will play a significant part in many of the proposals being developed. 

Cllr Emily Smith, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “It is absolutely vital that we put tackling the Climate Emergency at the heart of our new Corporate Plan. The Vale is home to a world leading science community who will play a major part in how the global community meets this challenge. It is essential that we, as a council, do what we can to support their work, as well as ensuring that we are at the forefront of tackling this issue at a more local level.”

Cllr Debby Hallett, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, said: “The ideas that we are developing for our new Corporate Plan seek to put us in a much better position to tackle the climate emergency, both as a council and as a district.  Our own financial situation and the COVID-19 crisis have presented us with lots of challenges but also opportunities, which we are considering as part of this process, particularly in terms of how we work and where we should focus our priorities to support our residents. We now look forward to hearing the Climate Emergencies Advisory Committee’s thoughts on our initial proposals.”

At its meeting Committee members will have the chance to review the proposals being developed for the new Corporate Plan. As well as action on the Climate Emergency, other themes will include:

  • Providing the homes people need
  • Building Healthy Communities
  • Building Stable Finances
  • Working in Partnership
  • Working in an Open and Inclusive Way

The council’s Cabinet will discuss ideas around the new Corporate Plan in July when it will also consider any recommendations from the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee. The public will then have a chance to give their thoughts on the proposals for the Corporate Plan.

Notes for editors:

In December 2019 Vale of White Horse District Council adopted climate emergency targets to reduce its own carbon emissions by 75 per cent by 2025 and to become a carbon neutral council by 2030.  In addition, it aims to reduce district-wide carbon emissions by 75 per cent by 2030, with the aspiration that the Vale will become a carbon neutral district by 2045.