Climate Action in Newbiggin

At a meeting held 19th January 2022, Newbiggin by the Sea Town Council unanimously agreed to establish a working group  to ascertain what the Council can feasibly and practically do regarding climate change. Cllrs L Spratt, T Roll, A Sutherland, A Wootton agreed to be on this working group, which will look at all aspects of the Town Council and wider community of Newbiggin by the Sea in order to take recommendations back to Council in 3, 6 and 9 months time.

At the meeting Cllr Spratt, speaking for the motion said ‘Climate change is already impacting human health, changes in weather and climate patterns can put lives at risk. Dry conditions lead to more wildfires, which bring many health risks. Higher incidences of flooding can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases, injuries, and chemical hazards – and the effects of climate change are becoming more visible both locally and nationally’.

Under Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 the Town Council must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity – taking action to reduce carbon emissions and improve green infrastructure will contribute towards this.

The Working Group will hold their first meeting on Tuesday 23rd February where they will also discuss widening the membership of the working group to include interested members of community and identifying the carbon footprints of both the Town Council and the community.