Contact: Stuart Jarvis, ext 6124 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That the proposal for the establishment of a Climate Change Commission be approved, together with the County Council membership, terms of reference, timetable and reporting arrangements detailed in the report.

(ii) That the following Members be nominated to serve on the Climate Change Commission as County Council nominated Commissioners:

(a) the Executive Member for Policy and Resources (Chairman);

(b) the Executive Member for Environment (Vice Chairman);

(c) the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group (or nominee);

and

(d) the Leader of the Labour Group (or nominee).

(iii) That the Chairman, on behalf of the Commission, be authorised to co-opt additional Commissioners, or Special Advisers, to support the Commission as appropriate.

1.2 Other Commissioners, who may be co-opted onto the Commission are to be drawn from a variety of potential external organisations and interests, including academia and national contacts, and community stakeholders.

2. Reason

2.1 At the County Council meeting on 23 November 2006 the Leader of the County Council announced that he planned to set up a Commission of Inquiry into climate change. Every Member of the County Council was invited to engage and contribute to the considerations of the inquiry through seminars and working groups.

2.2 All Members were invited to the Sustainability seminar on 28 February and have been invited to attend the Climate Change seminar on 28 March, at which the discuss the Commission, its agenda and timetable.

2.3 The draft proposal for the Commission is presented to this meeting, together with a proposed Terms of Reference.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Taking no action.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - None.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - None.

Approved by: ..................................... Date: ...................................

Councillor T K Thornber CBE

Executive Member for Policy and Resources

1297Decn/SJ