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

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions were made:

That it be a recommendation to the County Council:

(i) That the report and conclusions of the Commission of Inquiry be noted and that the Council records its thanks to the Commissioners for their work to date on this important matter;

(ii) That the following policy be adopted:

The County Council, through its own operations and in partnership with others, will seek to ensure a resilient, sustainable Hampshire by placing climate change considerations at the heart of its decision making processes, its policy development, and its operational activities;

(iii) That the actions set out in paragraph 4 of the report as amended be approved as the basis of an Action Plan for the County Council in 2008/09, subject to resource availability and agreement of Partners where required;

(iv) That the Commission of Inquiry be asked to reconvene on a regular but infrequent basis in the future to monitor progress, review the changing state of knowledge and advise the County Council further on relevant considerations.

(v) That a Member of the Cabinet be appointed to champion Climate Change matters across the County Council's activities and operations.

(vi) That the County Council will work closely with its partners in the Local Area Agreement to help the towns, villages and settlements of Hampshire to become more sustainable communities.

2. Reason

2.1 Climate change represents a direct threat to both long term prosperity and aspects of the environment of Hampshire and is therefore a key risk in the effective delivery of the Vision: "Within a decade Hampshire will prosper without risking our environment". The conclusions of the Commission would, if carried out, ensure that the County Council remains in a strong position to fulfil its corporate aims and Vision, and help prepare Hampshire for Climate Change.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not acting in response to the Commission of Inquiry conclusions.

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 - Chairman

9414Decn/SJ