Appleton Parish Council Supports Climate Emergency Bill

Appleton Parish Council has voted to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill after a lively debate.

The motion to support the Bill was put forward by Liberal Democrat Councillor Mark Browne. It requires the Council to:

• Declare a climate and ecological emergency
• Support the national CEE Bill going through Parliament
• Write a letter to the MP urging him to sign up to the Bill
• Contact the CEE Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support

Councillor Browne said: I am delighted that after much debate, Appleton Parish Council agreed to support this motion. It demonstrates to the Appleton community that its Parish Council places the importance of the consequences of climate change and the potential devastating effects on our ecology at the forefront of our policy decisions. This will demonstrate to the local community that their physical and social welfare will be prioritised in the decisions we make.

As a Liberal Democrat I will use my best endeavours to ensure that our actions and investments are consistent with the aspirations of this Bill. This decision brings Appleton into line with other Parish Councils in south Warrington, namely Lymm, Grappenhall and Thelwall and Stockton Heath which have already supported the motion. We urge the Member of Parliament for Warrington South to look at the example set by the Parish Councils in his constituency and support the CEE Bill.

This action is particularly important at a time of great ecological uncertainty in south Warrington caused by the proposed Local Plan and its proposals to build thousands of homes and millions of square feet of industrial development on the town's Green Belt.