CONSERVATIVE and Liberal Democrat councillors in West Berkshire voted yesterday to ‘further investigate’ declaring a climate emergency.

The vote was in response to a petition signed by 2,009 people calling for the council to declare a climate emergency and work towards becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

The petition, which was submitted in January, also called for an outline strategy by June 1 on how to start transitioning to a zero carbon future.

An extraordinary meeting was held yesterday to discuss the petition, where the council chamber was packed full of members of the public.

Councillor Steve Masters (Green, Speen), who submitted the petition before he was elected, said: “It is unfortunate that it has taken five months for a debate and a vote to be scheduled.”

Cllr James Cole (Con, Hungerford & Kintbury) said: “We agree this council should declare a climate emergency. While we agree with the sentiments behind the petition, in practical terms we cannot accept it as it stands.

“We cannot provide an outline strategy by the first of June. The constitution requires us to vote tonight on the exact wording that your signatories signed on.

“But we will work towards a 2030 deadline. In fact, we are happy to strive for 2030.

“Further investigation will mean a cross party discussion to seek to arrive at a consensus wording for a motion to put to the next council meeting.”

The next full council meeting will be on Tuesday, July 2, at the council offices on Market Street, Newbury.

Cllr Culver (Green, Ridegway) said: “I don’t think we should use a technicality that the petition mentions June. I really don’t think the public will be very happy if we throw it out on a technicality.”

Across the UK, 59 councils have declared a climate emergency, while 42 of these have a target to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Cllr Masters said: “The pressure applied by my colleagues in the Green party, the school strikers, and the Extinction Rebellion has resulted in this debate tonight.

“Thanks to West Berkshire Green Exchange and West Berkshire Climate Action Network for their input and advice on how to solve this crisis.”