Passed unanimously, the motion was developed to demonstrate the council’s level of local commitment to tackling climate change and supporting nature and the environment. However, a late amendment was made yesterday by the majority group and many of the key targets were reduced or removed altogether. 

Some of the changes made last minute are: 

1. The removal of key targets around tree planting and woodlands. 

2. Changing targets around planning and developments. 

3. Removal of targets around local resident’s health and wellbeing. 

Several councillors, whilst supportive of the motion, expressed their concern that the targets had been removed. 

Scott Blance, at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said: “We’re really pleased this motion passed with cross-party support. It shows the Council recognises the importance of the natural world and that protecting and restoring it is key to tackling the nature and climate crisis.

But we’re extremely disappointed that all of the targets we’d proposed, which are only in line with Government commitments and would enable the residents of Derbyshire to see what is being done, were removed at the last minute.” 

The motion was developed with the support of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and proposed by Cllr Wayne Major of the majority group. It followed widespread resident action with over 1,700 Derbyshire residents contacting their councillor to demand strong measures to reverse the decline of our natural environment. 

Leader of the Council, Councillor Barry Lewis commented that because the County Council are in the process of producing a Natural Capital and nature strategy for the county at present, it was not appropriate to set targets without understanding the baseline. 

The Trust is looking forward to working with the County Council to ensure robust targets are set and kept to.