Councillors in Boston won’t yet declare a climate emergency but have agreed to join together to tackle environmental challenges.
Two motions, which made the call but with several key differences in approach were put to Boston Borough Council.
However, instead of battling over which side was right, all sides of the chamber agreed instead to take the motions to scrutiny.
A full report will go before Environment and Performance scrutiny “as early as possible” – thought to be the September 24 meeting. A final report will be due by January 20 – though councillors called for it to be earlier if possible.
Boston Borough Council leader Councillor Aaron Spencer. Photo: Boston Borough Council
Speaking following the meeting, Councillor Aaron Spencer praised the “cross-party willingness to work together”, and said: “We have an absolute necessity to address the issue of climate change as an organisation, but we need to go into that decision with all the information.
“Just accepting a climate emergency as a carte blanche attitude towards it isn’t the responsible thing to do.”
He warned against adopting a climate emergency or “shackling ourselves to a 2030 target”, adding: “If that’s not achievable it’s just a meaningless piece of paper.
Extinction Rebellion Lincolnshire campaigners are keeping up the pressure across the county. Picture: Daniel Jaines.
“I would argue we’re being the most effective authority by looking at what’s achievable and then making a decision about what our target should be.
“There will be some changes we might look at which will be uneconomical for us, and will take an inordinate amount of money.”
Instead, it committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
SUBSCRIBE TO LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEKLY, our exclusive email newsletter with highlights from coverage every week, as well as insights and analysis from our local democracy reporters.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
Protesters appealed to Lincoln councillors from across all parties to join them in a minute’s silence to honour the victims of the Israel-Hamas war, but none participated.
Organised by members of the Lincoln Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (Lincoln TUSC) and Lincoln Friends of Palestine, the vigil took place outside the Guildhall during Tuesday’s full council meeting, where attendees called on local representatives to take a moment out of their busy agenda to join them in solidarity.
A new driver who caused the deaths of two teenage friends just 28 days after passing her test was spared jail after a judge heard moving pleas from her victims’ families.
Lara Jensen, 20, from Grimsby, was taking a group of young friends to watch the sunset before they all went off to university when she misjudged a triangular junction and crossed in front of an oncoming car.
Whatsapp
