Powys Council has declared a climate emergency after a vote by councillors.

In January 2019, Machynlleth became the first town council in Wales to declare a climate emergency, and was followed by a number of other authorities – and now Powys has added its name to the list.

It comes after the motion was put forward by Cllr Jake Berriman, the Liberal Democract member for Llandrindod North, at a meeting of the full council on Thursday – the first since before the coronavirus lockdown.

He also wanted to see Powys become a net zero carbon authority by 2030.

Cllr Michael Williams (Independent) who represents Machynlleth, said: “As the world stands now, I equate it to mankind moving along an edge of a cliff, and a step the wrong side of that cliff will take us to a place where we will never revive from.

“We must ensure that there is a bright and meaningful future for our young people and generations to come.”

County Times:

Councillor Michael Williams

The vote means the council has now acknowledged a need to act on the causes and impact of climate change.

But the motion was agreed only after an attempt to defer the motion was voted down.

Conservative cabinet members Cllrs James Evans (Gwernyfed – and Aled Davies (Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant & Llansilin) wanted to see more work done on costs.

Portfolio holder for Economic Development, Housing and Regulatory Services, Cllr Evans said: “Declaring a climate emergency is not going to solve the problem, we already have a cross party working group and a date in the diary.

“I would like to see that group meet and come up with some fully costed proposals.

“Bring those back to full council to make an informed decisions.

“We seem to be making a decision on the hoof without understanding how much it will cost us.”

However, the motion to postpone the declaration was voted down, and the motion was instead passed with 29 votes for, 20 against and four abstentions.