A CLIMATE emergency has been declared by Monmouth Town Council’s environment committee as a result of a presentation from a member of the public.

Ian Chandler told councillors that predicted catastrophic changes to the climate were a matter of great concern to the people of Monmouth, who had taken part in protests in the streets of the town and in London.

He said that people felt frustration at the lack of action by government at all levels.

Mr Chandler, a member of Transition Monmouth, added his children had presented a climate emergency seminar to the county council and he asked the town council to use its influence to urge them to also declare a climate emergency.

Cllr Kelly Jackson-Graham said: "I think it’s apparent the concerns regarding climate change are from all aspects of the community and not just the few. We are all becoming more aware".

She added: "I hope my fellow town councillors will join me in recognising the limited time-scale for change."

After a lengthy discussion, which involved members of the community, it was agreed the town council should follow the Welsh Assembly Government’s example.

A town council working group will meet and extend an invite to other groups and individuals who may be interested in the problem of climate change. It is planned for this working group to meet in the very near future.

Meanwhile the county council will be meeting on Thursday 16th May to hear a motion from Caldicot Castle’s ward member Councillor Jo Watkins, asking them to adopt the issue of climate change into their decision-making.

She wants the council to ensure it will reduce its own carbon emissions to net zero before the Welsh Government target of 2030 and will be asking them to develop a strategy and associated costed action plan to aim to deliver these targets as soon as practicable.

She also wants them to revise the corporate plan, well-being plan, and local development plans to support the aim.

Cllr Watkins will ask them to publicise any declaration of a climate emergency to residents and businesses in the county and encourage, support and enable them to take their own actions to reduce their carbon emissions in line with a 2030 target.

He will urge them to work with partners across the county and other councils and organisations to help develop and implement best practice methods in limiting global warming to less than 1.5 degrees celsius.

Another climate change protest march for Monmouth has been arranged for 24th May.