Last night, 11th February, Wingerworth Parish Council adopted its first Climate Change Policy. The document which I produced along with my fellow members on the Climate Change Working Group acts as a starting point for future work to find local solutions for this global problem.
The policy is broken down into a number of different areas which range from 'Engaging and Enabling the Community' to 'Reducing Waste and Consumption'. The policy sets out a variety of basic aims which the council will aspire to achieve over the coming weeks, months and years. In order for these aims to be realised the Climate Change Working Group will begin working with the various committees, working groups, full council and the wider community. Together we will be able to tailor the approach of the council's climate response to the needs of our village.
Future action plans, proposals and iniatives which are yet to be fully imagined will determine the shape of the council's reponse. The policy approved last night is a starting point and allows us as a community to build upon this foundation. The document provides a range of general characteristics which future proposals and plans should aim to achieve. For example, the working group responsible for the remodelling of the parish rooms may draft plans to focus on effective new ways of dealing with waste in the new building or develop plans to make the property more energy efficient. Likewise, a committee, lets say this time responsible for the premises and facillities around the village, may look to improve cycling infastructure in order to encourage the use of bikes or consider how to enhance wildlife habitat when manging trees and plants. In essence, the policy approved last night provides a wide scope for change across our community. It introduces an ethos focused around longevity and resilliance and will create a culture of climate positive action.
There is still a long road ahead and the document approved last night can by no means map out or detail all that lies ahead, but it does enable it. As a result, the community will now see a greater focus on combatting and finding local solutions to the climate crisis. This new era of opportunity and pragmatic thinking will unlock the huge potential of community. It will take the effort of the entire council and wider community to make this work but that is exactly what we will do.
The full meeting can be viewed here (the climate policy is discussed from 1hr30m until end): https://fb.watch/3Cpy_fBmWU/
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