Council’s first steps in plan to tackle climate issue revealed

But critics slam ‘two wasted years’

MEASURES for reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to council activities across the Moorlands have been published in the Climate Change Action Plan.

But the climate change subcommittee have been criticised for a lack of urgency in getting a plan in place, with the second part still not due to be published until later this year.

Two years ago, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council declared a climate emergency.

Since then the Climate Change sub-committee has been established and a work programme agreed – including the development of an action plan to help achieve the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Part one of the Action Plan sets out how the council will achieve the net zero target for its own emissions. The key areas of activity for 2021/22 focus on:

The use of council buildings – heat and powertravel and transport – by councillors and staffprocurement - the emissions associated with the products and services bought by the council

Additional supporting activity includes the development of relevant staff skills; revising the council’s policies and strategies to ensure climate change is always considered as part of the decision making process; and putting steps in place to measure and report on performance.

Councillor Joe Porter, cabinet member for climate change and biodiversity, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that this part of the action plan has been agreed – it’s a big step forward in documenting the practical measures the council is taking to help achieve the goal of eliminating carbon dioxide emissions across the Moorlands.

“It demonstrates how we’re starting to making a real difference by working to ensure our operations and the activities within our control aren’t increasing emissions and we’re pro-actively moving towards significantly reducing them.”

Part two of the Action Plan will detail how the council, working with others, intends to help the whole district achieve net zero emissions.

A consultation is planned later this summer for the public and community groups to be involved in this process. It is due to be published before the end of the year.

However, the delay in the plan has been criticised by some councillors.

Speaking at a Staffordshire Moorlands District Council community overview and scrutiny panel meeting, Councillor Keith

Hoptroff said: “Now is the time to put members plans into practice.

“There have been two wasted years and we are behind neighbourhood councils.

“They have facilities in car parks and actions speak louder than words.

“We need to show more urgency as we owe it to the people of the Staffordshire Moorlands.”

Councillor Charlotte Atkins said: “My concern is the delay.

“We do not have a milestone when they will be delivered. Is this a wish list after two years?”

Read part one of the Action Plan, and more about climate change, at www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/ Climatechange.