Dear Ms Lintill,

The climate crisis that threatens the very basis of human existence demands real and radical action from every level of government and all sections of civic society.

Some positive steps have been taken by Chichester District Council, including the introduction of a Climate Emergency Officer; however, neither the District Council nor West Sussex County Council has called a climate emergency, despite numerous councils across the country doing so, and despite the Labour Group on WSCC putting forward a motion to do so.

Previous administrations have had a cabinet member for Environment Services but we need to ensure that action on climate change is woven into every decision and action taken by our District Council. This requires the council to show the necessary urgency in leadership on this issue.

We therefore ask you, as acting leader of the District Council, to expand the remit of the cabinet member for Environment Services to encompass the planning and implementation of action to address climate change, and to reconsider at the earliest opportunity the declaration of a climate emergency. We, as the Labour Group, are willing to meet and work with you and other members of the District Council on this critically important issue.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Kevin Hughes and Cllr Sarah Lishman,

Labour Group on Chichester District Council