MCA have been working with SMDC for several months on the development of an Action Plan that will set down how Staffordshire Moorlands will become carbon neutral by 2030. We were pleased to see the council recognise the need to review the way that this work was to be carried out, and they recently agreed to set up a number of sub-groups that can work in parallel, very much as how MCA organises our different groups.
We have now been advised that these sub-groups will fit under these headings
Natural Environment - third Wednesday of each month (TBC) - this group has already met.
Travel & Transport - second Monday of each month at 7.00 pm. The first meeting will take place on 12 October.
Housing - first Tuesday of each month at 7.00 pm. The first meeting will take place on 6 October.
Industry & Agriculture - TBC
Energy - TBC
The Council - TBC
We have had a number of people already come forward, but we would like to ensure we have 4 MCA members on every topic, so there are vacancies for most of these sub groups.
These groups will meet every month for 1 hour, with the idea that every month you will talk through an idea and present it back to the overall sub-committee. They will then pass all the approved ideas up to the Council for further work to be done working up the details and incorporate them into the Action Plan.
Whilst we welcome this more pragmatic approach, MCA have raised their concerns that the original Climate Emergency declaration stated that the sub-committee (which includes MCA members) would produce the Action Plan, but it now appears to be the responsibility of the Portfolio Holder, Clllr Joe Porter. We are concerned about the lack of transparency and meetings being held ‘behind the scenes’, but we will give this process a try for a month or so while it beds in. Better to be ‘inside the tent, than outside’ to paraphrase the common expression.
So, let’s give it a shot, get involved, put forward our ideas and see if we can work with the councillors to create the Action Plan that we know we need for our contribution to the overall plan to save our World.
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Please note: You will have to be a MCA member to take part on these sub-groups.