By Cllr John Savage.
Today, Sunday 3 December, marks the end of the final meeting of the Southampton Citizens’ Climate Assembly. Stretched over the last month or so, the council working with the University of Southampton, Involve UK and the Sortition Foundation, has been hosting meetings with over 40 local residents to explore and understand the challenges of climate change and the related issue of transport in Southampton.
This demographically representative group, who are reimbursed for their time and supported in their accessibility needs, have examined the problems with expert witnesses, debated the issues, and today are making their final recommendations. All age groups, abilities, ethnicities, and backgrounds are represented, including voting backgrounds to come together as a microcosm, to represent the city. The recommendations will go forward to be approved by the council.
Political arguments can play out with very short-term decisions being made, with for example one council introducing bus or cycle lanes, only for the next administration to remove them to get votes. We need consistency.
The Climate Assembly is so important for the City of Southampton. Residents representing a broad range of views have come together to talk about how we tackle climate change locally. What the city does should be informed by the people who live here, for long-term change.
I have been working on this project for over a year with partners to ensure a positive outcome for the people of Southampton, irrespective of political background and voting behaviour. The council made an investment of £40K to make it happen. This has been matched by around £80K from the University and the other partners, which means that the learning that takes place can be passed on to cities around the world.
The final recommendations and the published report will be released at the launch event in January.
Cllr John Savage
Environmental Champion
Southampton City Council
* image by Mike Daish.
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