Reform Council Bans All Mentions of Climate Change While Quietly Taking Green Funds From Government
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The Reform UK-run council in West Northamptonshire is systematically removing all references to climate change and net zero from its strategies, website and documents, Byline Times can reveal - while simultaneously continuing to take Government cash for green projects.
The move follows the council scrapping its net zero targets, in a controversial decision last Wednesday that sparked local protests. The news was announced in an article in The Telegraph - around two hours before the actual decision had been voted on.
An email from the council's Chief Executive last Thursday (17th July), seen by this newspaper, states: "You may also be aware that a report went to last night's Cabinet taking forward the new administration's proposals to refocus the Council's work around sustainability and removing local net zero targets (for 2030 in the council and to support wider achievement by 2045) in favour of prioritising practical, high-impact projects.
"The report was subject to extensive debate and last night's meeting understandably drew a large amount of public interest and media coverage, but ultimately with [the Reform] Cabinet approving all the recommendations put forward."
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And the internal memo reveals a drastic change in language for the local authority: "Following [the] decision, we will now be reviewing and updating our council's existing strategies in line with the agreed new approach, which will include practical steps such as reviewing and removing references to 'net zero' and referring to 'environmental impact' instead of 'climate impact' within our reports, policies and strategies to better reflect the broader focus."
Council staff were told: "Your support and involvement in helping us with this review will be really important as we now start to work on refocusing our sustainability approach."
But the authority has been accused of hypocrisy, as it will continue taking Government grants and cash for climate-related projects.
The Chief Executive notes: "I would like to emphasise that our Council is continuing with its wider sustainability work, still publishing our Annual Sustainability Report and will continue to work towards our environmental accreditation.
"We will also continue with projects that deliver long term savings like solar power and warm home initiatives. We will also develop and deliver a Sustainability Strategy and all services across our organisation will continue to play a key role in this work to protect and improve our local environment."
The Cabinet decision to scrap net zero targets has been 'called in' for review by a committee of councillors, so the row shows little sign of ending soon.
One opposition councillor said: "When are we burning the books? Because that'
Packed with exclusive investigations, analysis, and features
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
The Reform UK-run council in West Northamptonshire is systematically removing all references to climate change and net zero from its strategies, website and documents, Byline Times can reveal - while simultaneously continuing to take Government cash for green projects.
The move follows the council scrapping its net zero targets, in a controversial decision last Wednesday that sparked local protests. The news was announced in an article in The Telegraph - around two hours before the actual decision had been voted on.
An email from the council's Chief Executive last Thursday (17th July), seen by this newspaper, states: "You may also be aware that a report went to last night's Cabinet taking forward the new administration's proposals to refocus the Council's work around sustainability and removing local net zero targets (for 2030 in the council and to support wider achievement by 2045) in favour of prioritising practical, high-impact projects.
"The report was subject to extensive debate and last night's meeting understandably drew a large amount of public interest and media coverage, but ultimately with [the Reform] Cabinet approving all the recommendations put forward."
Don't miss a story
SIGN UP TO EMAIL UPDATES
And the internal memo reveals a drastic change in language for the local authority: "Following [the] decision, we will now be reviewing and updating our council's existing strategies in line with the agreed new approach, which will include practical steps such as reviewing and removing references to 'net zero' and referring to 'environmental impact' instead of 'climate impact' within our reports, policies and strategies to better reflect the broader focus."
Council staff were told: "Your support and involvement in helping us with this review will be really important as we now start to work on refocusing our sustainability approach."
But the authority has been accused of hypocrisy, as it will continue taking Government grants and cash for climate-related projects.
The Chief Executive notes: "I would like to emphasise that our Council is continuing with its wider sustainability work, still publishing our Annual Sustainability Report and will continue to work towards our environmental accreditation.
"We will also continue with projects that deliver long term savings like solar power and warm home initiatives. We will also develop and deliver a Sustainability Strategy and all services across our organisation will continue to play a key role in this work to protect and improve our local environment."
The Cabinet decision to scrap net zero targets has been 'called in' for review by a committee of councillors, so the row shows little sign of ending soon.
One opposition councillor said: "When are we burning the books? Because that'
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