Something very exciting happened in the meeting of Leicestershire County Council this afternoon (as well as a good few not-exciting things… it was a council meeting, after all).
Following the lead set by Somerset County Council a couple of months ago (see http://transitionculture.org/2008/07/28/something-wonderful-just-happened-in-somerset), a motion was put forward by the county council in Leicestershire declaring support for the Transition movement and pledging to support the county’s Transition groups in their activities. And… it was unanimously supported and adopted!
The motion followed the same pattern as the Somerset one - it said:
(a) That this Council:-
(i) acknowledges the work done by communities in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, Leicester and Totnes, Devon on Transition Towns and that the independence of the Transition Movement is the key to its grass roots appeal;
(ii) fully endorses the Transition Town Movement and subscribes to the principles and ethos of the organisation’s goals to reduce dependence on fuel oil and create more sustainable communities.
(b) That accordingly the Cabinet be requested to:-
(i) consider how the County Council might provide support and assistance to all towns in Leicestershire that wish to join this initiative to help them achieve the goals they set for themselves as local communities;
(ii) consider the concept of Leicestershire working towards Leicestershire becoming a Transition County;
(iii) undertake a review of the Council’s budgets and services to achieve a reduction in dependence on fuel oil and produce an energy descent action plan in line with the principles of the Transition Initiative.”
There was also an amendment added that was basically about coupling any work on Peak Oil / Transition with the council’s existing work on climate change…
“That the matter be referred to the 5 Member Panel on the County Council’s Environment Policies and Programmes in order that it can be considered in the context of other initiatives such as Climate Friendly Communities and the County Council’s involvement in the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme.”
If you’re really curious about how these things happen then you can watch the discussion on the motion online using the county council’s super-hi-tech footage of meetings at: http://www.leics.gov.uk/index/your_council/webcast_county_council/county_council_web_cast_archive.htm#2008
I thought there were a few interesting things about the way it was discussed. The motion was introduced at first using climate change as the rationale rather than peak oil (and in particular, on Transition Leicester’s involvement with an event at Leicester cathedral – probably a good example to use to win over a council meeting that started with a prayer!).
The councillor seconding the motion pitched it in terms of there being lots of issues (like fair trade and climate change) where a small bunch of people who could easily be dismissed at first as loonies often get really positive things started, before eventually it becomes the mainstream. Lots of other councillors chipped in, usually seizing the chance to comment on how important it is to reduce CO2 emissions in Leicestershire.
The discussion made me realise that there’s still lots of education to do around Peak Oil – the people who did mention it made the classic mistake each time of talking about oil running out, which of course, really isn’t the point…
It also seemed clear to me that the unanimous vote was largely down to the perception that they were just declaring support for what seemed like a fairly uncontroversial “good thing” and that it wasn’t committing the council to anything seriously binding. This was a bit different to the motion adopted in Somerset, which talked about giving financial support to local Transition initiatives. Having said that, I think having it adopted will probably make it a bit more likely that the county council offer some financial support.
All in all though, it’s pretty exciting. Our task now is to work with the other Transition groups in Leicestershire to come up with ideas for making the best use of this that we can… both for the existing local Transition initiatives, and all the Transition groups that are still but a glint in a future Leicestershire Transitioner’s eye…
well done leicestershire. We (Transition Tynedale) are meeting with various officers and some councillors on Tuesday morning to discuss what we (TT) would like from them, having previously written Transition Initiatives into the Sustainable Communities Plan and after a very successful presentation to the LSP Board. We have a whole host of ‘asks’ but if you don’t mind I’ll take your example with us as something non controversial that councils can do. We’re in the unfortunate position that our councils and districts are disappearing in March to make way for a new unitary but we want to make sure that the new Northumberland council is at least aware of Transition Towns and primed to support the initiatives.
Best wishes,
Peter
Andrew
Your assessment of the motion is good. It is true that the knowledge surrounding ‘peak oil’ is limited, but as County Councillors we have a duty to the residents in terms of well being. Some of the stuff mentioned about Local Area Agreements and Carbon Reduction commitments you didn’t mention, but that is a driver for all Local Authorities; particularly 188 adapting to climate change. So All Transitions should be offering their expertise their Local Authorities as much of the Transition message is all about adapting to climate change (as seen by local government).
Leicestershire accepted the motion that I put forward because we understand that community cohesion is a vital ingredient in our residents, and we will always give assistance to aid this concept.
I didn’t ask for any financial arrangements from the County Council, and I hope that in the future I can, but there is always a concern when a message of support comes with a price tag. I really wanted support for Transitions to come from Officers and Councillors on an equal basis. The motion speaks of the grassroots appeal and independence of the movement and I am keen to encourage this; I have seen too many good ideas get stuck to the tar-baby of money.
Leicestershire has said ‘yes’ to Transitions very firmly, and in the spirit of co-operation I would like to hear what Transition wants of the County Council. I have had conversations with the Chief Execs department on how we can take this forward in partnership with Transitions.
Neville Stork, Labour Councillor, Loughborough South
Cheers Neville, for pointing out a bunch of other important points from the discussion that I missed. Thanks for also mentioning that there’s a lot that we can offer to the council in terms of sharing the knowledge we have on these issues – we’d be really glad to do so.
We’ll be getting together with people from other Transition groups in Leicestershire towards the end of this month (at our Transition Cafe event on December 20th) to brainstorm some ideas for moving this forward – anyone who’s interested in this please do come along!
As the ‘Councillor seconding the motion’ I agree with Neville’s comments that your assessment of the meeting is a good one.
My own position is and always has been ‘that transition needs to be planned – and not forced on the community’. The focus is on the word ‘transition’.
Peak Oil continues to be a difficult concept. Most in society know that the oil will run out some day – but we in the early 1970’s shouted that it would run out by the end of the century. Clearly this has clearly not happened. There is also a school of thought that we should not focus on the day when the oil runs out – but (as with coal) ‘save the oil for future generations’.
Both Neville and I represent areas of high community deprivation, and one of the dichotomies we face is the lack of aspiration. Green issues are seen as trendy middle class & Tory activities. – The focus is on the word ‘Conservative’ ie conserving the status quo.
Now that many in my community have the opportunity of cheap fights from nearby and easily assessable by public transport East Midlands Airport – many from Coalville take the opportunity to fly to destinations out of reach by previous generations – (unless they were conscripted to fight in war).
Action to save oil is seen by folk in my community as yet another example of the ruling classes ‘to continue to keep them in their place’ and physically stop them from enjoying the fruits of travel – enjoyed over the millennia by the rich and rulers.
We would argue that this perception is wrong. There are hidden financial costs – but many in my patch are saying – I want a slice of this action. Ryanair is simply providing the means in a Capitalist Market.
My community lives on a daily basis with the rape of its resources. Coalville did not exist until the Lord of the Manor decided to sink a pit and the town become the ‘Eco Town’ of its generation bringing in migrants from all over Europe. But when the Tories took away the opportunity for the community to use their working skills – they were left on the remains of the pit tip. I never want to see this again.
Back in the early 1980’s at a Green Party meeting held in what is now Neville’s patch in Loughborough a woman barracked us greenies by saying ‘my parents generation could not afford to buy meat – now that I can – you want to take it away from me’.
This comment has influenced my politics ever since.
But as politico’s in opposition we are doing our bit – but we need help
John Legrys – Coalville Division – Leicestershire County Council
Well, this is definatly more than just a glint of hope, at this time! As one of the original people who met to discuss the idea of Transition Leicester I applaud this vote of confidence by the County authority and hope to see Transition andother ‘carbon friendly’ community intiatives taken up acros Leicestershire
It is important to recognise that the transition movements strengths is invested in its people – but even they / we recognise that, currently, that appeal is best received in certain segments of the population and more needs to be done to outreach.
Thus, when I set out 18 months ago to initiate something a little differently labeled in Ibstock (in fact, we’ve often refered to ‘Ibstock does . .. ‘ as a ‘brand’). It was with a, you may argue ill founded, conception that a any ‘hippy’ or ‘meddling middle-class’ overtones would not be well received! And lets not forget, distribution, the airport and even, to a much lesser extent now, the ‘extractive industries’ and its’ alter ego, landfill, stil acounts for a deal employ around here. However, we have agreed, that if after consultation with our local stakeholders (and we are, I have to say, still at ‘early days’ in this) that it is decided that Ibstock should, as such, become a Transition Village / Town, then so be it.
Anyway, I am pleased to report we have gained a certain ‘climate friendly’ status with support from ENABLE and further, our albeit modest efforts have been recognised by international funders Artists Project Earth. Also in the spirit of partnership we have tried to support as much of the local Footprints Challenge as we are able. Neville has hit the nail on the head with his comments on funding . . . great when it comes, but with that burdens of responsibility, adminstration and accounting!
Our best work to date? Instilling (even more) action, creativity, rightous anger and hope whilst working with Ibstock Community College students on our “No Pressure!” logo re-design competition (see: http://takepart.org/ibstockclimatechange/photos/?folder_id=2113214 ). Watch this space, but also, get on with it yourselves! – the issues are now known and are just too important for squabbling around – you have only to look at the students art work from Ibstock, we have been warned!
[...] In December 2008, Leicestershire County Council did the same. [...]
[...] This follows on from the council’s motion of support for the Transition movement and the county’s Transition groups in December 2008, which you can read about here: http://transitionleicester.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/leicestershire-county-council-declares-support-f... [...]