The new Reform administration wants to scrap Kirklees’ climate emergency declaration as a motion is tabled to next week’s full council meeting.

The council declared a climate emergency back in January 2019 in a motion backed by Labour, Lib Dem, Green and Independent group colleagues.

An implementation programme followed in November of the same year, with the ambition to become net zero and climate ready by 2038 set out. Further strategies have been implemented over the years in a bid to address climate change and make Kirklees greener and healthier.

Now, Reform members want to rescind Kirklees’ declaration of a climate emergency and make changes to the council plan and environmental strategies to reflect this, subject to council approval.

The country has seen record low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures this summer, with many regions officially declared in drought. Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images.

placeholder image — The country has seen record low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures this summer, with many regions officially declared in drought. Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images.

The group has set out its proposals in a motion to the full council meeting on Wednesday, October 21.

The motion outlines the administration’s priorities of putting Kirklees citizens first; prioritising civic pride and fixing the essentials; keeping all people in Kirklees safe; and ensuring value for money for all taxpayers, as the direction of any policy changes that are brought forward in future.

A focus is placed on “statutory services, affordable living, reliable infrastructure, local economic opportunity and practical environmental improvements with demonstrable benefits to residents”.

It adds: “Clean air, effective recycling, well-maintained parks and green spaces, and protection from evidenced flood and severe weather risks remain essential local responsibilities.

“Discretionary local net zero targets and emergency declarations should be replaced by decisions based on legal duties, affordability, proportionate risk assessment and transparent value for money.”

The motion calls for 13 actions in total, including that the council takes an evidence-based approach to climate-related investment.

It also seeks proposals to be drawn up to abolish the council’s environment and climate change scrutiny panel and the removal of discretionary climate finance and campaigning, including municipal climate bonds which secured funding in the previous budget. It also requests that executive decisions be reviewed.

A majority will need to be reached for the motion to be upheld. If it goes through, the motion calls for all implementation within the council’s control to be completed in a 12-month time frame. Verified savings and progress would be reported quarterly.