Agenda item

9.40pm – Councillor Ross Melton moved, seconded by Councillor Omid Miri, the special motion in their names.

“This Council welcomes the new Government’s robust and rapid actions to accelerate decarbonisation and growth of the UK economy, including:

1. The launch of the cross-Government Clean Power 2030 Mission, headed by Chris Stark.
2. The launch of a state-owned renewable generation developer, GB Energy, chaired by Jurgen Maier, headquartered in Aberdeen, and tasked with commercialising new low carbon generation technologies.
3. The launch of a £7.3 billion National Wealth Fund with the aim of galvanising more than 10 times more private investment in low carbon infrastructure.
4. The end of the moratorium on onshore wind in England, with the largest renewables allocation ever through the AR6 generation auction.
5. The approval of 1.35GW of solar generation within days of the 2024 General Election.
6. The closure of the UK’s last coal-fired powerplant in Ratcliffe-on-Soar in Nottinghamshire.

As one of the London Boroughs most vulnerable to the negative affects of climate change, accelerating decarbonisation of the UK energy sector and wider economy is of vital importance to the residents of Hammersmith and Fulham.

In addition, the economic growth opportunity of decarbonising the UK economy is irrefutable, with the previous Government’s Skidmore Review identifying the green economy as the fastest growing contributor to UK GDP, valued at over £41.2 billion in 2023 and employing almost half a million high skilled UK workers.

Decarbonising energy will deliver a win-win-win: reduce the UK’s vulnerability to volatile energy imports, driving down household bills, and unlocking economic opportunities for millions of Britons.

Hammersmith and Fulham is at the forefront of the transition towards a green economy, investing in rooftop solar and retrofitting insulation and energy efficiency technologies into council-owned buildings. The Borough’s modern industrial strategy is fostering the next generation of low carbon innovations. Our planning team continues to support thoughtful, low carbon development across the Borough.

This Council resolves to continue to support the new Government’s strategy of driving rapid economic growth through decarbonisation of the economy, while providing an example of local leadership on the road to Net Zero.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Ross Melton, Omid Miri and Wesley Harcourt (for the Administration) – and Councillors Jose Afonso and Andrew Dinsmore (for the Opposition).

The guillotine fell at 10pm. Councillor Melton made a short speech summing up the debate before the motion was put to the vote:

FOR                        30

AGAINST                8

NOT VOTING         1

The motion was declared CARRIED.

10.03pm – RESOLVED

This Council welcomes the new Government’s robust and rapid actions to accelerate decarbonisation and growth of the UK economy, including:

1. The launch of the cross-Government Clean Power 2030 Mission, headed by Chris Stark.
2. The launch of a state-owned renewable generation developer, GB Energy, chaired by Jurgen Maier, headquartered in Aberdeen, and tasked with commercialising new low carbon generation technologies.
3. The launch of a £7.3 billion National Wealth Fund with the aim of galvanising more than 10 times more private investment in low carbon infrastructure.
4. The end of the moratorium on onshore wind in England, with the largest renewables allocation ever through the AR6 generation auction.
5. The approval of 1.35GW of solar generation within days of the 2024 General Election.
6. The closure of the UK’s last coal-fired powerplant in Ratcliffe-on-Soar in Nottinghamshire.

As one of the London Boroughs most vulnerable to the negative affects of climate change, accelerating decarbonisation of the UK energy sector and wider economy is of vital importance to the residents of Hammersmith and Fulham.

In addition, the economic growth opportunity of decarbonising the UK economy is irrefutable, with the previous Government’s Skidmore Review identifying the green economy as the fastest growing contributor to UK GDP, valued at over £41.2 billion in 2023 and employing almost half a million high skilled UK workers.

Decarbonising energy will deliver a win-win-win: reduce the UK’s vulnerability to volatile energy imports, driving down household bills, and unlocking economic opportunities for millions of Britons.

Hammersmith and Fulham is at the forefront of the transition towards a green economy, investing in rooftop solar and retrofitting insulation and energy efficiency technologies into council-owned buildings. The Borough’s modern industrial strategy is fostering the next generation of low carbon innovations. Our planning team continues to support thoughtful, low carbon development across the Borough.

This Council resolves to continue to support the new Government’s strategy of driving rapid economic growth through decarbonisation of the economy, while providing an example of local leadership on the road to Net Zero.