Agenda item
Notice of Motions
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12, the following Motion has been received:
Motion A:
Climate and Ecological Transformation in Cotswold District and Gloucestershire
Proposed by: Councillor Angus Jenkinson
Seconded by Councillor Mike McKeown
Motion:
The motion addresses the urgent need for local action to support sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices in response to escalating climate and ecological challenges.
Council notes:
- The Council’s declared Climate and Ecological Emergencies and its continuing commitment to be green to the core in response to these
- The findings of the UK’s national risk assessment identifying critical threats to ecosystems and biodiversity with international evidence that many natural systems are on trajectories towards failure
- The recent call by the United Nations Secretary-General for a transition beyond GDP towards recognising the value of natural systems and ecosystem services for local and global future outcomes
- The conclusions of successive international UN IPCC scientific reports that agricultural methods have a vital role in mitigating climate and ecological impacts, which also affect food supply
- Both Cotswold District and Gloucestershire have amongst the highest proportions of agricultural land of any local authority areas in England with thousands of farm enterprises that are in or considering transition to regenerative practices
- That Gloucestershire contains the largest National Landscape in England and a National Forest Park
- That climate, ecology and food resilience depend on successful agricultural transition, a goal relevant to the Food and Farming track in local government re-organisation.
Recognising the significant potential of local agriculture to contribute positively to climate and ecological recovery, and the need for coordinated local and regional support to enable this, Council resolves to:
1) Request that the Chief Executive and the Leader propose the following when representing the Council on the work to prepare for local government reorganisation:
a) That the LGR Programme formally adopts Food and Farming as an active element within its climate planning work - whether as its own strand or as a sub?strand as officers determine as most effective; and
b) That the LGR Programme uses Climate Leadership Gloucestershire’s Food and Farming track as a convening mechanism.
2) Request that the Chief Executive and the Leader report back to the July 2026 meeting of the Council with an update on the development of the Future Operating Model(s) of the new unitary council(s) and how Food and Farming is being considered within them and including the following:
a) who will take ownership of it (political and officer leads),
b) what the early priorities are, and
c) which partners could be involved (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, catchment partnerships, Environment Agency, National Landscapes, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, National Farmers Union, and others as appropriate).
Minutes:
The Chair invited Councillor Angus Jenkinson to speak. Councillor Jenkinson proposed the motion on climate and ecological transformation in the Cotswold District and noted that the motion addressed serious and critical issues while remaining modest in scope, asking the Council to do what it could within its remit. Councillor Jenkinson highlighted that the Council had previously declared climate and ecological emergencies and emphasised the importance of considering these issues as the district moved towards a unitary authority structure.
He referred to a recent government report, released under the Freedom of Information Act, which indicated that all ecosystems in the UK were on a trajectory toward failure. He stressed that agriculture and farming were central to addressing climate, ecological, and food security challenges and that the Council had an opportunity to support a resilient local food system. Councillor Jenkinson concluded his introduction by noting the rural nature of the district and the significance of the issues, urging the Council to consider actions that could make a meaningful difference locally and globally.
The motion requested that the Chief Executive explore practical measures the Council could take to support sustainable food and farming practices, strengthen short supply chains, and contribute to ecological transformation within the district.
The Chair moved to the debate. Councillor Juliet Layton noted that the district council had limited powers over farming practices and highlighted wider challenges in nature recovery and sustainable agriculture. She questioned the potential influence of a new unitary authority under local government reorganisation (LGR) on these issues, noting constraints such as the lack of local abattoirs and historical government policies that favored intensive farming.
Councillor Angus Jenkinson responded that while statutory powers were limited, the Council could leverage convening and influence to support sustainable farming. He cited examples from advisory groups, catchment partnerships, and initiatives in Wales demonstrating the impact of coordinated action on food sourcing and health outcomes. He also emphasised the importance of cultural change and the wider food chain in achieving sustainable outcomes.
Councillor Claire Bloomer suggested closer collaboration with town and parish councils, which manage allotments and local food projects, to engage communities in sustainable practices. Councillor Laura Hall-Wilson queried the level of consultation with farmers and farming organisations in preparing the motion. Councillor Jenkinson explained that the motion was informed by broad engagement with advisory groups, DEFRA, catchment partnerships, and conferences, reflecting widespread farmer perspectives.
Other members raised points on historical and regenerative farming practices, with Councillor Jenkinson noting correspondence with MPs and party leadership to advocate for greater recognition of food and farming in policy.
Councillor Mike McKeown spoke as seconder of the motion and noted that the Council had focused on supporting residents and businesses in reducing emissions through measures such as energy retrofitting, solar installation, and EV charging infrastructure. He emphasised that similar support should be extended to the agricultural sector, highlighting the importance of including food and farming in the planning of the new unitary authority under Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
Councillor Mike McKeown stated that climate action required ongoing attention and that coordinated support could help farmers overcome economic and practical challenges. He cited a local example where the Council had collaborated with landowners and developers to address flooding, demonstrating the Council’s ability to achieve practical outcomes. Councillor McKeown concluded that the motion aimed to ensure farmers and landowners were engaged, that the LGR programme included food and farming as a key track, and that collaboration with organisations such as Climate Leadership Gloucestershire would support effective implementation.
During the debate, members expressed broad support for the motion while noting that the council’s role was primarily one of facilitation and influence, rather than direct delivery of farming initiatives. Several councillors highlighted that, although agriculture was not a statutory responsibility, the Council could act under the general power of competence to support local farmers, champion sustainable practices, and influence wider climate and ecological outcomes.
Members referenced the Council’s previous initiatives in energy retrofitting, electric vehicle infrastructure, and community engagement as examples of how local action could achieve meaningful impact, emphasising that similar approaches could be extended to the agricultural sector. Councillors also noted the economic and environmental challenges facing farmers, including changing markets, climate impacts, and the need for access to advice, support, and collaborative opportunities.
Some speakers cautioned that competing priorities and the ongoing local government reorganisation presented practical constraints, and stressed the importance of early planning, engagement with farmers, landowners, and academic experts, and collaboration with organisations such as Climate Leadership Gloucestershire to ensure effective implementation. It was noted that embedding food and farming within climate and ecological strategies could support public health, food security, local economic resilience, and sustainable land use, and that the creation of a new unitary authority presented a unique opportunity to plan for these issues strategically.
The debate concluded with agreement that the motion would help ensure food and farming were considered in the planning and future operations of the new council, with clarity on leadership, priorities, and potential partners, while engaging the local farming community in shaping decisions that affect them.
The Chair invited Councillor Jenkinson to sum up.
In summing up, the proposer thanked members for their support and acknowledged the contribution of farmers and local stakeholders who had informed the motion. Councillor Jenkinson highlighted the potential of agriculture to mitigate climate change, including natural flood management, soil carbon capture, and improving food and health outcomes, noting the urgency of embedding these considerations into the planning of the new unitary authority. He also emphasised that the motion sought to use the Council’s existing powers and competencies to influence outcomes and engage partners effectively. The proposer concluded by urging members to support the motion, stressing that timely action could make a meaningful difference for the local community, the agricultural sector, and the wider environment.
The Chair then moved to the vote on the motion proposed by Councillor Angus Jenkinson and seconded by Councillor Mike McKeown.
Voting record:
20 For, 0 Against, 6 Abstentions.
Councillor David Cunningham, Councillor Julia Judd and Councillor Len Wilkins did not vote.
Supporting documents:
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