Green County Councillor Gina Dowding asked the leader of the Council at the Cabinet meeting on 10 July whether he agreed with the science on climate change. While he said he agreed with the science, he didn’t agree with subsidising renewable energy or energy efficiency measures with taxpayers’ money.

At Full Council the following week, The Cabinet Member for the Environment, County Cllr Joshua Roberts, would not give a ‘yes or no’ answer to the same question.

Cllr Dowding said:

“Reform leaders claim that climate resilience is too expensive for taxpayers – yet they are willing to allow even bigger subsidies to the fossil fuels sector, including corporation tax relief on North Sea oil and gas investments.”

Between 2015 and 2023 the fossil fuel sector received roughly £20 billion more in total Government support than renewables, i.e. £80 bn for fossil fuels versus around £60 bn for renewables. A fifth of the money given directly to the fossil fuels sector was to support new extraction and mining.”

Cllr Dowding added:

“It is not difficult to work out why Reform UK do not want to challenge fossil fuel subsidies. Their party is financed by backers with huge oil and gas interests.

“Reform must fully commit to much-needed action to make us more resilient to climate impacts, and to measures that will reduce polluting emissions from our buildings and homes, transport and industry. Warm homes with lower bills, food security and resilience to flooding would benefit all residents in Lancashire.”

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Urgent action on the climate emergency

• Seize the potential in the green skills sector (the fastest growing of the economy) for skilled jobs and training
• Invest to save in clean energy:  County should follow Lancaster City Council  example and invest in its own renewable energy generation

 ENABLING SMALL BUSINESSES, TOURISM AND CULTURE TO THRIVE

• Support innovation, digital, and electronics technology manufacturing
• Enable small businesses, tourism and culture to thrive

Affordable and cosy homes – in the right places!

• Ensure well-designed affordable homes to minimise carbon emissions, keep household energy bills low and prevent illness caused by cold and damp in places with good connectivity.
• Push for more social housing
• County must push for energy efficient retrofit of existing homes at greater pace and scale. 

Supporting local communities and vulnerable people

• Invest in prevention measures to keep families and communities healthy
• Prioritise resilience against flooding

Green spaces and public realm for people and wildlife

• Defend nature in our valued parks and open spaces
• Support local food growing and markets

A transport system for clean air and liveable streets

• Fix our roads so that they are safe for all road users
• Re-regulate bus services so that all areas have reliable integrated bus services
• Invest in new safe cycling and walking not as an afterthought to roads

Local Government Re-Organisation

• Specific proposals must: not be rushed; ensure public accountability; keep services local and guarantee service improvements; and have residents’ support.
• Labour’s plans for mega-sized council will cost millions in tax payer’s money and should come with more funding for basic services.
• Greens are not against ‘unitary’ councils in principle but this major  upheaval of councils will be felt for decades-long.

see also:

The Green Party Manifesto and Local Government

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