Launceston Town Council has followed in the actions of Cornwall Council and other local councils to declare a climate emergency.

There was a larger than usual public attendance at the council meeting on Tuesday, November 19 to hear the council consider declaring a climate emergency.

There were three associated recommendations on the table: to note the receipt of a signed petition requesting the town council declare a climate emergency; consider the actions that the town council can address in regards to a climate and nature emergency; and agree that the town council declares a climate emergency and supports Cornwall Council’s aim to become carbon neutral by 2030.

In the public participation section of the meeting, Roger Creogh-Osborne was first to speak, and he addressed the council: “This evening we’re here as Eco Launceston, an umbrella name for residents’ concern and actions at a local level to address the ecological and climate issues we face.

“Whilst there are national efforts to get government to recognise and take effective action on what scientists are now calling an emergency, there is also a need for regional, local and personal action. The recommendations to you under item nine are a vitally important part of that.”

Mr Creogh-Osborne then introduced Nadine Wright, 16, who said she was attending on behalf of young people in Launceston.

She said: “As a student I find it horrifying to see and read about what we are doing to our planet. We need leaders to create change and this is right for Launceston.”

Mr Creogh-Osborne added: “As the council and councillors you have a respected position in our community. As well as some, limited, direct powers you also have a powerful leadership voice. So not only for the specific things the council may be able to do, but also to provide an exemplar to the wider community — businesses, groups and individuals — we would urge you to support the proposal.”

The council brought forward item 9 in order for the council to make their decision.

The mayor of Launceston, Dave Gordon, noted receipt of the petition. The council had received a 20 signature petition on October 25. The petition urged the council to consider how they can build sustainability and resilience into the community for the future.

The council report stated that as a town council, they do not have the powers of unitary, borough or district authorities, however Friends of the Earth have published a document to help support town councils in how they may effectively champion ways to address the climate and nature emergency.

Using these guidelines the town council can consider things such as actively supporting planning applications that support renewable energy within the area; provide practical advice to local residents on ways to reduce their carbon footprint; support tree planting and buy local and where possible buy green produce.

In discussing the item, Cllr Joan Heaton said: “I’m totally with the climate action. I worry about the word emergency.”

Cllr Heaton was concerned that the word ‘emergency’ would frighten people and said she would rather opt for ‘climate action’.

Cllr John Harris said a few councillors attended a conference in Wadebridge hosted by Cornwall Council on the subject. He recommended the council look at the documents that have been produced by Helston Town Council.

Cllr Rob Tremain said: “Every day on the TV we’re being told about this climate change emergency. It’s been going on for a great number of years and it’s got to the stage where it’s an emergency.”

He said the idea of a council working group could bring things together.

Cllr Margaret Young said she discussed the subject at youth council, and added: “The young people are our future, not us people sat around the table. I think the key to this is education. I think we’ve got to start with the tinies. It’s easy to fluff around this point but we’ve got to do something about it.”

Cllr Young said she didn’t agree with litter picks as she felt people shouldn’t drop litter, but the members of the youth council have suggested more bins, make them more attractive and get them emptied.

The importance of public transport was raised by Cllr John Conway, who felt that sorting this would be one of the best things the council could do. He said the town needed a dual bus service, serving north and south (Kensey and Homeleigh), and added: “That’s practical measures this council can support. It’s something we need to push for.”

Cllr Paul O’Brien added: “I think we can go further,” and felt that a working part of three could meet to examine the options. This proposal was seconded by Cllr Brian Hogan, and it was agreed that the working group can bring in expertise from within the community and any recommendations made would be brought back to full council.

Thirteen councillors voted in favour and two against.

On the proposal that the council declares a climate emergency, Cllr Heaton asked if the wording could be changed. This was seconded by Cllr Conway.

Cllr Helen Bailey asked if it could be changed to climate action plan, but Cllr Hogan said: “Everybody else is calling it a climate emergency. We should go with that.”

Cllr O’Brien added: “We can’t call it a climate action plan, we haven’t got one yet.”

Cllr Tremain said: “Everyone’s calling it a climate emergency. They’re realising things are moving at a rapid speed.”

Cllr Conway said one reason why he was against declaring a climate emergency was because he felt an emergency would be like the recent actions in London, such as attempts to stop the underground running. He felt it was actions in ‘a political vein rather than a practical vein’.

However Cllr Hogan said Cllr Conway was missing the point. “We’re going to miss the boat. We’ve had years of talking. We need to get on with something now. We need to start doing some action and sometimes direct action is the best way”.

Cllr O’Brien said: “We’ve got the opportunity to set up a working group to do the work for us.”

Cllr Heaton said: “It’s incredibly important what’s going to happen here.” She explained that in another parish it was found that more elderly people didn’t like the emergency idea, they were frightened by it, although the young people loved it.

The proposal was seconded but only two voted in favour and so the motion was lost.

A recommendation was made for the council to declare a climate emergency. All bar one councillor voted in favour.

Cllr Gordon added: “The town council is very proactive in trying to do our bit. I think we can do more. There’s more room for projects to make the world a safer place.”