Those present stood in silence in memory of Glen Handley and Kenneth Jones, former Councillors of the Council, who had passed away.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ejaz Aslam, Gurdip Bungar, Deborah Croxton, Peter Scollard and Frank Wardle.

The Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 14 May 2024 were signed by the Mayor.

The Chief Executive advised that, in accordance with advice received from the Council’s Monitoring Officer, Members only needed to declare interests which had not already been listed within their Disclosable Pecuniary Interests form.

No declarations of interest were made.

Question received from Michael Hughes:-

Given that every computer model published by the IPCC has been wildly at odds with the evidence,

·         that the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is controlled primarily by atmospheric interaction with oceans, vegetation and other sinks,  

·         that man-made emissions of CO2 make very little difference (if any) to the total amount of CO2 in the atmosphere,

·         that the eye-wateringly expensive attempts to mitigate or control CO2 are futile and an unsustainable drain on the country’s let alone the borough’s finances,

·         that it is clear that the public is being hoodwinked.  The numbers do not add up.  

Given the above will the council exercise its right, known as the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates, and refuse all central government policies that impoverish people, adversely impact people’s lives or restrict people's freedoms in any way?

The following question had been submitted:-

Question received from Michael Hughes:-

Given that every computer model published by the IPCC has been wildly at odds with the evidence,

·         that the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is controlled primarily by atmospheric interaction with oceans, vegetation and other sinks,

·         that man-made emissions of CO2 make very little difference (if any) to the total amount of CO2 in the atmosphere,

·         that the eye-wateringly expensive attempts to mitigate or control CO2 are futile and an unsustainable drain on the country’s let alone the borough’s finances,

·         that it is clear that the public is being hoodwinked. The numbers do not add up.

Given the above will the council exercise its right, known as the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates, and refuse all central government policies that impoverish people, adversely impact people’s lives or restrict people's freedoms in any way?

Response by Cllr John Burden, Leader of the Council:-

In declaring a climate emergency and adopting its own Climate Change Strategy, the Council followed the evidence set out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The Council considers the information produced by the IPCC as an internationally recognised source of scientific research in the area of Climate Change. 

The Council does not consider climate change policies to be manifestly unjust or to have an adverse impact on people’s freedom. It therefore will not be looking to refuse central government policies on this issue.

To receive and adopt the proceedings, reports and recommendations of the following committees, except those items reserved under Council procedure Rule 5.2 (6) and to ratify and confirm the orders made by them.

Motions that proceedings, reports and recommendations of Committees, except those reserved under Council Procedure 5.2(6) as referred to below be received and adopted and where applicable the Orders made by them be ratified and confirmed were duly proposed, seconded and resolved in each case.

·         Minutes of the Planning Committee held on Tuesday, 30 April 2024;

·         Minutes of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday, 22 May 2024;

·         Minutes of the Cabinet held on Tuesday, 28 May 2024; and

·         Minutes of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday, 12 June 2024.

To receive and adopt the proceedings, reports and recommendations of committees contained in the list of items reserved under Council Procedure Rule 5.2(6) and to ratify the orders made by them. They will be dealt with in the following order:-

Cabinet

Planning Committee

There were no reserved minutes.

There were no reports from officers of the Council.

No questions had been received.

The Mayor informed Members that 'What Ellenor Means to Me' Art Exhibition had now opened at the St Georges Art Centre and encouraged everyone to attend if they could.

The Mayor advised that he would be organising charity events throughout his mayoral year and encouraged everyone to come together to support those events.

The Mayor invited those present to join him in the Parlour for refreshments.