QUESTIONNAIRES will be distributed to the public attending a special event in Tavistock this Saturday, aimed at discovering how they rate the importance of climate change. The questionnaires have been prepared by Tavistock Town Council, which is taking a stall at the Energy Awareness Show hosted by the town's Methodist Church. But the wording of the leaflet came under fire at last week's meeting of the town's finance committee. The draft questionnaire included a preamble which quoted the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change as saying that climate change 'was happening' and that it was 'virtually certain' that the primary cause was man-made pollution. Cllr Philip Sanders said: 'Having been to a number of debates, views are very disparate indeed and while I have no qualms with the questionnaire itself, it appears to be saying this town council believes man has an effect on the climate — I do not agree with the statement that it is "virtually certain".' Cllr Iain Andrews, chairman of the town's properties committee, agreed it sounded as though the council had decided on a policy, when it had not actually arrived at one. 'I think it needs re-wording,' he said. Town mayor Cllr Caroline Keane said: 'It's the IPCC making the statement, not the council making the statement and I find it quite alarming that people are questioning the idea that we need to take this seriously.' Cllr Keane said before the council itself came to any decisions on how it could help the town reduce its carbon footprint, it would be a very useful exercise to discover how people felt regarding climate change, whether they believed the council should take a more active role and how such a role should be financed. Cllr Alison Clish-Green said: 'There is going to be loads of information there on the day — do we really need this preamble? Some people might feel it's a bit patronising. Why don't we just have the questionnaire itself, saying the council would be interested in your views.' The committee agreed the questionnaire should be prepared without the preamble — the decision was due to be ratified at the full council meeting on Tuesday night. The Energy Awareness Show starts at 11am and will include a range of companies and organisations specialising in the implementation of energy-saving strategies. There will also be seminars during the afternoon, and an opening speech by West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox. The aim of the event is to bring greater awareness to property owners of the possible methods available to them to reduce the energy footprint of their home, businesses and lifestyle. The show closes at 5pm.
