Chelmondiston parish council has voted against declaring a climate and ecological emergency, despite more than 80% of parishioners taking part in a survey supporting the action.

Councillors were split at the monthly meeting and chairman David Cordle had to use his casting vote, and went against the motion.

A working group conducted a survey towards the end of 2019 and 53 (13%) of households took part. Of those that responded 81.5% were in favour of declaring an emergency.

Consequently, the working group had recommended to the parish council a Citizens' Assembly should be formed, made up of members from the community, and £500 from the council's coffers paid towards the assembly's costs.

The group wanted the parish council to acknowledge that climate change and ecological damage are among the most pressing issues of our time and suggested councillors agreed to a variety of points.

These included:

• Considering all planning applications in the light of the climate and ecological emergency
• Take into account the climate and ecological emergency when procuring and awarding contracts.
• Send a statement to Babergh District Council, Suffolk County Council, central government and South Suffolk James Cartlidge
• Produce a report on progress to be given at each annual village meeting.

However, parish clerk Jill Davis recommended the parish council reject the proposal as it was too vague, funds had not been allocated in the budget and the Citizen's Assembly would have no powers.

Half the councillors in attendance disagreed and wanted to accept the working group's proposal, but the chairman went with the clerk's recommendation and exercised his right to have the casting vote and the proposal was rejected.

Campaigners have already made clear Chelmondiston's council's decision will not stop them stop the house from burning, as Greta Thunberg describes the problem.

Jane Gould, Babergh district councillor and Green Party member, said: "It is disappointing to hear that at their March meeting Chelmondiston Parish Council voted not to declare a climate and ecological emergency; the vote was so close that the chair had to use his casting vote and used that vote to vote against the motion.

"This will not stop the momentum to work with the community to find ways of slowing down the climate and ecological crisis that we find ourselves in."

Both Babergh and Suffolk CC, have declared a climate emergency and are working in tangible ways of tackling the problem, which has a direct effect on the Shotley peninsula's river boundaries, and beyond.

Derek Davis, Babergh council member for neighbouring Ganges ward, cabinet member for communities and joint advisory committee member of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB, said: "It is baffling that once again a parish council has ignored expert advice, in this case from its own working group among others, and gone against what its residents have voted for.

"We at Babergh recognise the importance of the climate campaign, and all aspects of protecting our wildlife habitat, ecology and children's future."