Highland Council Climate Emergency

"We therefore suggest that there should be a general public meeting, along the lines of the ward forums that were held until recently, to air these topics – in fact there may need to be a series of meetings, given the extent of the problem and the time needed to implement some changes. We would be very happy to assist in arranging and promoting such an event on the Black Isle."

Anne Thomas, a TBI director, has attended and reported on meetings she and other XR members have had with Highland Council's Climate Change Officer  Keith Masson and Chief Executive Donna Manson

"Since the Climate Emergency was declared 3 of us from Extinction Rebellion met Keith Masson Climate Change officer and Anna the new EV officer.

"Then today 4 of us including Lizbeth, Steve and I met Donna Manson, Chief Executive. I'll attach the notes of what we were intending to say to her. She actually talked quite a lot so we didn't say it all but we were generally quite positive about the meeting and left her with a copy of what we were going to say plus something on citizens' assemblies. The 18 member Climate Panel is in the process of being formed but probably won't report back to the full council till the October meeting but it does actually sound reasonably hopeful. Originally it didn't include the Green as she couldn't be half a rep but hopefully they are sorting that. She has also privately agreed that the Climate Change dept needs more staff and there is a recently agreed change fund which can cover this. In terms of council officers she totally got the idea that Climate Change measures need to come from the top and be embedded right the way down in everything the council does and working with as many partners as possible. She wants me (she only wanted one of us) to accompany her to a meeting with officers/ councillors within the next couple of weeks to discuss what needs to be done. She is hoping the Highlands can host some sort of big conference on what to do about climate change. We emphasised the idea of the Highlands showing leadership and she obviously likes that."

Anne has also provided background notes prepared for the meeting with the Chief Executive.