A FURIOUS war of words has erupted after a Labour councillor accused Tory Guildhall chiefs of being ‘asleep at the wheel’ in the fight against climate change.
Coun Tom Collins made the claim after it was revealed £100,000 set aside last year for sustainability and climate adaption in the city remains unspent.
Labour chiefs pointed out the money was allocated before the pandemic began and accused Conservatives of lacking an ambitious plan and wating a year of action of climate action.
However in response, Conservative chiefs pointed out the council’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy and its associated Action Plan was drawn up when Labour chaired the council’s Environment Committee.
Coun Collins has called on all parties to come together on a three-part plan for decarbonisation of the city.
“The Three Asks are designed to have a real impact on our emissions and improve quality of life in the city at the same time,” he said.
“They tackle our main areas of emissions; heating buildings and transport. They are safe walking and cycling, easy home insulation and city centre shuttles.”
The Rainbow Hill councillor wants to see a strategic map laying out how the city can be equipped with separate, safe and decent walking and cycle and mobility networks.
A one-stop support for home insulation for council tax-payers and a plea to work with county highways chiefs on 20-minute shuttle bus services in and out of the city are also being called for.
Coun Andy Stafford, chair of the Worcester City Council’s Environment Committee, said: “I have been chairman since May and Coun Collins has been vice-chair, so if he was serious about these points I would expect him to have raised them at the meetings.
“The truth is delivering more home insulation and cycling and walking routes are already included in the plan, while bus services fall under the remit of the County Council.
“The £100,000 budget has been allocated for a range of projects, including decarbonisation of the council’s office buildings, staff cycle storage and biodiversity projects including Lyppard Ponds and improvements on waterways.
“£20,000 of it is set to be used for our new Environmental Community Grants scheme, which will fund small projects which will pave the way for larger schemes.
“Worcester is also benefitting from more than £40million from the government, with around £3million specifically supporting active travel measures to encourage walking and cycling.
“A further £1.5million from the Government’s Green Homes Grant scheme is being used to install external wall insulation, upgraded windows and doors, solar panels and other energy efficiency measures at 125 privately owned or rented homes and 100 Platform Housing properties.
Visit www.worcester.gov.uk/housing/home-energy-advice for more.
