Councillor James Stoneman, Cabinet Member for Climate Change introduced the report on behalf of Councillor Rebecca Smith, Cabinet Member for Homes & Communities and highlighted the following points:

a)    The document had been developed in partnership between members in Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon as a result of members in all three authorities wanting a strong and urgent response to the climate emergency;

b)    This was an interim policy that introduced new requirements ahead of a formal review by the JLP;

c)    There are seven new mitigation measures and six new adaptation measures which compliment new building regulations;

d)    The report is an important step in the journey towards the goal of making Plymouth net zero by 2030.

The Cabinet agreed that the emergency planning statement be referred to City Council for formal adoption as an interim policy statement pending the completion of the next review of the Plymouth and South West Devon Local Joint Plan.