Council’s climate change-themed conference postponed

13 March 2020

Southwark Council has taken the difficult decision to postpone its Empowering Communities borough conference on 21 March, in light of the rapidly changing picture with regards to Covid-19. The conference was planned to help the council and borough develop plans and share ideas regarding the climate emergency.

Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, said: “The current challenges that we are all facing with Covid-19, mean that we have to take sensible decisions based on official guidance, and what we feel is the right thing to do for our residents, staff and councillors. We cannot hold a conference which is meant to engage a representative cross-section of our residents if a significant element of our older population is being encouraged by government advice to stay away from large meetings.

“Climate change remains a top priority for Southwark and so we will continue to engage with residents, businesses and groups across the borough to make sure that everyone can get involved and be part of tackling the climate emergency together”.

The conference will be rescheduled at the first opportunity. The decision to postpone will not delay plans to develop a Climate Emergency strategy by July.

The council is currently reviewing its meeting schedule to consider whether other meetings should go ahead, and will keep residents informed.

Page last updated: 15 March 2020