Decision details

In accordance with Standing Order 21, Cllr Richards moved the following motion:-

“This Council notes that:-

1.     The Leader’s foreword to the Corporate Plan states that ‘As a well-established community leader, the Council has long recognised the strong heritage and a world-class environment we operate within, and work to protect and enhance.  Tackling climate and environmental challenges is key to ensure that the special nature of the New Forest can be enjoyed by future generations.’

2.     Two of the four values of this Council are Ambition (We will be ambitious for our people and our place, embracing innovation and best practice) and Fairness (We will act fairly, honestly, and openly in all that we do).

3.     The first priority of this Council’s Future New Forest transformation programme is “Putting our customers at the heart of what we do”.

4.     This Council voted in October 2021 to declare a ‘Climate and Nature Emergency’.

5.     This Council’s Corporate Plan 2024 – 2028 does not include measurable targets and a mechanism to report progress against such targets to our residents.

6.     High performing organisations relish being measured as it allows them to demonstrate their outstanding performance.

7.     That in the draft consultation version of the Corporate Plan, a measurement of “Overall emissions from council activity (Kg of CO2)” was included.

This Council resolves that:-

1.     In order to be ambitious, transparent and put our customers at the heart of what we do SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timebound) targets should be published alongside the Corporate Plan for each item under the “It will be measured by” sections as soon as these targets have been agreed.

2.     The mechanisms for reporting against the targets, and publishing progress on a minimum of an annual basis, will be set out alongside the targets.

3.     The targets for Place Priority 2 “Protecting our climate, coast, and natural world” will be amended to include a measurement of “Overall emissions from council activity (Kg of CO2)” during this financial year and a target to then reduce these emissions agreed for each subsequent year of the corporate plan period, being reported against and published in line with point 2 above.”

Cllr Parker seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the motion be referred to the Resources and Transformation Overview and Scrutiny Panel, and Cabinet, prior to reporting back to Council.