Wiltshire Council urged to make ‘meaningful commitment’ to decarbonisation
The Council says it remains committed to addressing the climate emergency
Wiltshire Council’s new Liberal Democrat administration has been urged to do more to ensure the council – and the wider community – hits net zero targets.
The first question at the first public meeting of the new cabinet was posed by Andrew Nicholson of Wiltshire Climate Alliance.
The coalition of environmental groups campaigned for Wiltshire Council to acknowledge the climate emergency and now works with the authority to help communities work towards net zero and mitigate against the effects of climate change.
In 2019, a motion by Lib Dem councillor Dr Brian Mathew – now MP for Melksham and Devizes – to acknowledge the climate emergency was narrowly carried. Despite Conservative opposition at the time, the last administration changed its position to work towards carbon neutrality by 2030.
Many of the new cabinet members sitting round the table in the committee room on Tuesday were among those who pushed for the council to sign a climate declaration six years ago. Yesterday, with their hands on the levers of power, they were challenged to restate their commitment.
Among the challenges was for Wiltshire Council to look at its procurement requirements – contracts it signs with suppliers of goods and services.
“Although the council is ahead of its own net zero target, the county generally is behind,” said Mr Nicholson.
“Wiltshire Council’s procurement requirements are among the weakest ones when it comes to sustainability. Would the council consider beefing up its procurement requirements so that its suppliers know that they will be called upon to show their commitment and their achievement in decarbonising and that they have a path to net zero?”
The council’s new leader, Ian Thorn, pledged: “The commitment of the last administration to addressing the climate emergency continues with this administration.” He promised to come back to Mr Nicholson with an answer on procurement requirements rather than give an immediate “off-the-cuff remark.”
Next week, the council hosts a two-day climate summit at its County Hall headquarters in Trowbridge on Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21.
Organised by Wiltshire Climate Alliance and the previous council administration, the conference will be dedicated to helping businesses decarbonise on the first day, with a community event on day two for the county’s many environmentally-focused organisations.
Delegates to the business event will have the chance to hear from some of the county’s most inspiring individuals and companies.
The keynote speech will be given by Juliet Davenport, who founded Chippenham-based renewables firm Good Energy.
There will also be presentations by Trowbridge-based frozen food firm Apetito on purpose and process, Swindon-based Nationwideon offices, buildings, and infrastructure, and Chippenham-headquartered Wincanton on transport and logistics.
Tickets are available here.