To consider Notices of Motion.

Motion 1 – That this Council bestow Lady Darnley an honorary freewoman of Herefordshire.

In moving the motion Councillor Sebastian Bowen explained that Lady Darnley had undertaken her role of Lord Lieutenant with distinction and served the interests of Herefordshire. She had always been respected by those she met and had ensured a close working relationship between the Lord Lieutenancy and Herefordshire Council.

In seconding the motion Councillor Bob Matthews explained that Lady Darnley had been very supportive for the county of Herefordshire and had a natural ability to empathise with people of the county.

The following principal points were raised during the debate:

·         It was queried if the proposed award was consistent with the scheme for awarding individuals the freedom of Herefordshire.

·         Lady Darnley had shown a commitment to charities and community groups across Herefordshire.

·         Lady Darnley had modernised the role of the Lord Lieutenant.

·         Lady Darnley involved herself with local organisations and maintained a close link to local communities.

·         The award was to honour the individual and the exemplary manner in which she had undertaken the role of Lord Lieutenant.

The motion was put to the vote and agreed by a simple majority of the Council.

RESOLVED: That this Council bestow Lady Darnley an honorary freewoman of Herefordshire.

Motion 2 – Climate and Ecological Emergency

In moving the motion Councillor William Wilding explained that the motion sought to build on the earlier climate emergency motion. It was felt that the original motion should include mention of the ecological emergency which faced the county to ensure that the actions of the council took account of and sought to address the emergency.

In seconding the motion Councillor Elissa Swinglehurst explained that the motion demonstrated cross-party working. The ecological emergency had been implicit in the earlier debate in March 2019 around the climate emergency motion. The ecological emergency included the loss of insects, pollution in rivers and the collapse of soil structure. The motion sought to raise awareness and encourage people to be considerate of the natural world: such an approach needed to be incorporated in the processes and polices at the council.

The following principal points were raised during the debate:

·         The inclusion of the ecological emergency was welcomed as it helped to embed an awareness and an emphasis into the actions of the council.

·         There was concern that the declaration in the motion might hinder some opportunities for economic growth in the county.

·         It was considered that the commitment in the motion could have a positive economic impact by encouraging tourism.

·         There was concern about the use of insecticides and the impact on insect species in the county.

Councillor Wilding, as the mover of the motion, closed the debate and explained that the local economy should seek to enhance and protect local ecology.

The motion was put to the vote and agreed by a simple majority of the Council.

RESOLVED: Thatthis council, already having declared a ‘Climate Emergency’ in March 2019, wishes to strengthen its commitment by changing this declaration to now say that we ‘declare a Climate and Ecological Emergency’.