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ST JUST TOWN COUNCIL SEEKS RESIDENTS TO HELP ADDRESS THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY

In urging everyone to recognise the climate crisis Greta Thunberg said:
“Every single person counts.
Just like every single emission counts.
Every single kilo.
Everything counts.”

Banner at one of the School Strike 4 Climate events in Truro

On 25 February 2019, St Just Town Council joined many Parish, Town, District and County Councils in recognising and declaring a Climate Emergency. Following on from that they approved an initial short term action plan, on 13 May and that required the Council to establish a Climate and Environment Action Committee consisting of elected Councillors and local residents. The Council is therefore seeking 3 residents who have the right mix of expertise, knowledge and passion to join the committee.

Deputy Mayor, Sue James, who has been so far leading St Just’s work to declare a Climate Emergency and start thinking about what can be done differently locally, says

“Having spent time listening to the science and evidence of the consequences of continuing to emit carbon and other harmful greenhouse gases as we do today, I believe we cannot afford the ‘do nothing’ option. I also believe that it is no good us waiting for someone else to act, we all have to do what we can as soon as possible and those of us elected to represent communities need to help residents make decisions that are less harmful to our local environment and the planet. At County Hall our young people made it plain that there is ‘no planet B’ and that by the time they are old enough to be decision makers, it will be too late.

“St Just Town Council were unanimous is voting to declare the Climate Emergency and the Terms of Reference for the Climate and Environment Action Committee we now wish to set up.”

The committee being established for the St Just Parish (so including Pendeen and the smaller hamlets) will consist of up to 6 Town Councillors and 3 residents and will be required:

1. To review the Town Council’s initial Climate Change Action Plan and develop a longer term vision for the Parish, in conjunction with the Premises and Amenities Committee, our local schools and residents.

2. To ensure that the Town Council is a source of information for local residents wanting to reduce, re-use and recycle, improve habitats for pollinators, planting trees and how to reduce their energy and water needs and bills.

3. To work with those developing the local Neighbourhood Plan to ensure suitable energy and environmental policies are developed and promoted by Town Council when making planning comments.

4. Work with the Tin Coast Partnership and Cornwall Council to reduce local residents’ dependency on petrol and diesel engine motor vehicles, supporting schemes that encourage more sustainable transport.

Click on the following link to view and download St Just Town Council’s Climate Change Action Plan April 19

Click on the following link to view and download the accompanying Climate Environment Committee Terms of Reference

So, if you live within the Parish of St Just and believe you can contribute to this important, establishing committee email townclerk@stjust.org giving your full name and contact details, what contribution you can make to the committee’s work and specifying any membership of Political Parties and/ or Climate Groups (to ensure mixed representation). Alternatively write with this information to The Town Clerk at 1, Chapel Street, St Just, TR19 7LS.

Applications will need to be submitted by 12 noon on Thursday 12th September 2019.