St Helens Council to set up climate change commission

The council declared a climate emergency in 2019,  vowing to reach a zero-carbon target by 2040.

This week, the Labour cabinet approved a series of new climate change actions, which was prompted by the findings of a cross-party scrutiny review into the council’s use of paper and plastics.

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One of the recommendations that came from the review, which was led by Labour’s Mancyia Uddin, was the creation of a climate action working group.

Cabinet has agreed to do this by March 2021, and has also expanded the remit of the group from that that what was originally proposed by the review.

In addition, the council will appoint an accountable officer to oversee and lead on climate change issues.

This role should include responsibility for administering the climate action working group, recruiting and liaising with “green advocates” and promoting environmentally friendly practices within the council and its partners.

Cabinet also pledged to cut the council’s annual paper in half by March 2022.

Cllr Uddin, who is the Labour group’s spokesperson on climate change, has welcomed, the agreed actions.

“Collectively achieving economic, social and climate justice should be at the heart of everything we do,” she said.

“The council plays an essential role in protecting the health and well-being of our people and our planet, and whilst the council alone cannot solve the global climate crisis, we can and should use the influence we have as to encourage our staff, partners and communities to be more conscious of the environment and be mindful in the choices they make.

“I was very pleased to hear cabinet’s response to the report and for recognising the establishment of a climate change commission which was one of the key recommendations.

“This is a huge accomplishment for myself and the task group and I look forward to it coming to fruition in the coming months.”

It was Cllr Uddin, who represents Windle, who brought the motion to full council last year calling for the authority to declare a climate emergency.

Cllr Andy Bowden, cabinet member environment and transport, admitted that progress since then has “not been as fast as we would like”.

He said officers and councillors have been focused on addressing the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and ensuring essential services are maintained.

Cllr Bowden, who represents Parr, said progress is now being made.

He highlighted, among other things, a motion brought to full council last week by Labour’s Robyn Hattersley, asking the authority to formalise its commitment to the United Nation’s 17 sustainable development goals.

Cllr Bowden also accused Labour’s rivals of “political opportunism”, likely in part due to criticism the ruling party has received in recent weeks following the approval of the massive Home Bargains warehouse at Omega South.

“I, of course, recognise there will be the cry from the usual quarters of hypocrisy – we heard it last week,” he said.

“As we encourage and attract multi-million-pound investments in our borough. Bringing jobs and opportunities to our residents.

Labour councillors have come under fire from opposition councilors for backing proposals for a massive warehouse at Omega South in Bold

“But it isn’t a zero-sum game and supporting action on climate change and sustainable development goals is not incompatible with the creation of jobs and the building of houses for those that need them.

“Indeed it is my view it complements and helps to meet them, as well as being at the core of my principles as a Labour politician

“Especially as someone representing a community in need of those jobs, and at a time where we see unemployment rocketing and redundancies as has been reported this week at record levels.

“Sustainable development and addressing the climate emergency is not about saying no to a development just because it’s near your home or your default position.

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“That’s not being Green, it’s very often just political opportunism, job snobbery and nimbyism.

“More about self-interest than sustainability, whilst at the same time denying opportunities for housing and jobs, contradicting the aims of the UN sustainable development goals.”

To see the full list of actions, click here.