Decision details

It was moved by Councillor Maher, seconded by Councillor Lappin:

“Sefton believes that the effects of climate change are clearly apparent on the environment we all share. 

Fracking (hydraulic fracturing for shale gas) as an energy source negatively adds to global climate change and locally could:

·     Potentially pollute or affect water resources in the area due to the chemical process of extraction or any improperly managed storage of ‘flowback’ water;

·     Impact on water resources due to the impact of the high volume water consumption used in the process; and

·     Increase the risk of any seismic activity from hydraulic fracturing which may impact on areas of population.

This Council recognises the complexity of recent decisions by Lancashire County Council to refuse planning applications (to drill, fracture and flow test up to four wells at both Roseacre Wood and Preston New Road).  These decisions highlight the continuing reservations and commonly held concerns regarding the impact of such operations, particularly in these locations relating to amenity, noise, transport and landscape grounds.

This Council agrees to confirm its opposition to unconventional gas extraction (including underground coal gasification, coal bed methane and fracking under Sefton and neighbouring local authority areas) until such time as the Council is satisfied as to the safety and regulation of the processes and the robustness of mechanisms to mitigate short and long term impacts.

The Council would expect that any adverse risks relating to community, environmental, transport and health impacts would be fully addressed should any proposals be submitted for planning consent and that any tangible economic and community benefits will be evidenced fully to the Council’s satisfaction.

This Council also calls on the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the other Liverpool City Region local authorities to pass a similar motion.”

An amendment was moved by Councillor Weavers, seconded by Councillor Booth that the Motion be amended by the addition of the words at the end of the first paragraph:

"We are fortunate that we have on our local coast a tidal and wind resource which could enable us to provide local consumers with clean and sustainable energy."

Following debate, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared the amendment was lost by 29 votes to 11.

A further amendment was moved by Councillor Gannon, seconded by Councillor Bennett that the Motion be amended by the addition of the following new paragraph at the end of the third paragraph:

“This Council notes that there are possible significant adverse impacts from shale gas exploration and exploitation, including water contamination and air pollution and this Council calls on her Majesty's Government to impose a moratorium on shale gas in the UK.”

Following debate, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared the amendment was lost by 29 votes to 11.

Following debate and in accordance with Paragraph 93 of Chapter 4 in the Constitution, the voting on the Motion was recorded and the Members of the Council present at the time, voted as follows:

FOR THE MOTION:

Councillors Ashton, Atkinson, David Barton, Jo Barton, Bennett, Bliss, Booth, Brennan, Burns, Byrom, Carr, Carragher, Kevin Cluskey, Linda Cluskey, Dams, Fairclough, Friel, Gannon, Grace, Hardy, Jamieson, Jones, Keith, John Joseph Kelly, Lappin, Maher, McGinnity, McGuire, McKinley, Moncur, Murphy, Page, Pullin, Robinson, Roche, Sayers, Lynne Thompson, Weavers and Webster.

AGAINST THE MOTION:

None

ABSTENTIONS:

Councillors Dawson, Shaw, Bill Welsh and The Mayor.

The Mayor declared that the Motion was carried by 39 votes to none with 4 abstentions and it was

RESOLVED:

Sefton believes that the effects of climate change are clearly apparent on the environment we all share. 

Fracking (hydraulic fracturing for shale gas) as an energy source negatively adds to global climate change and locally could:

·     Potentially pollute or affect water resources in the area due to the chemical process of extraction or any improperly managed storage of ‘flowback’ water;

·     Impact on water resources due to the impact of the high volume water consumption used in the process; and

·     Increase the risk of any seismic activity from hydraulic fracturing which may impact on areas of population.

This Council recognises the complexity of recent decisions by Lancashire County Council to refuse planning applications (to drill, fracture and flow test up to four wells at both Roseacre Wood and Preston New Road).  These decisions highlight the continuing reservations and commonly held concerns regarding the impact of such operations, particularly in these locations relating to amenity, noise, transport and landscape grounds.

This Council agrees to confirm its opposition to unconventional gas extraction (including underground coal gasification, coal bed methane and fracking under Sefton and neighbouring local authority areas) until such time as the Council is satisfied as to the safety and regulation of the processes and the robustness of mechanisms to mitigate short and long term impacts.

The Council would expect that any adverse risks relating to community, environmental, transport and health impacts would be fully addressed should any proposals be submitted for planning consent and that any tangible economic and community benefits will be evidenced fully to the Council’s satisfaction.

This Council also calls on the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the other Liverpool City Region local authorities to pass a similar motion.