
Labour were not happy, particularly with the bit about setting a target to work towards. Not for the first time, Labour rejected James’ call for target against which their performance could be measured. In lots of other areas the Cabinet has set targets. It’s almost as if Cabinet is picking and choosing targets that can more easily be met.
One Labour councillor made a plea for the Council to concentrate on the 97% of things where there is agreement, rather than the 3% where there is disagreement. This may be code for ‘agree with Labour’.
James did not get the chance to respond to the debate, as time ran out again. With the Liberal Democrat amendment being defeated rather easily, the group then supported Labour’s original motion – it being better than nothing. Nothing, though, is what some councillors wanted. Watch the webcast for the climate change deniers in action, though only one of them actually voted against the motion.
Sadly the Conservative group did not back the motion at all. Perhaps their leader applauding the climate denial speeches made by some in the chamber tell you all you need to know about their views on this issue.
It is perhaps worth noting that Cabinet does not need the permission of Council to set up any working party looking at any issue it wants it to. Cabinet could have done this at any time since they noticed there was an emergency.