'No Action' to save Tax Payer money and tackle climate change

11.41.02am GMT Thu 5th Nov 2009

Saving tax payers' money and tackling climate change has been rejected by Conservative run Oxfordshire County Council.

Carbon emissions from the council's own buildings are increasing and the authority may well fail to meet its own target to achieve a reduction in CO2 output by 18%, a report for the council advised just last month (October).

Lib Dem members urged the council's Tory run Cabinet to urgently find better ways to manage carbon output, such as drawing up incentive schemes to encourage better energy use in buildings and services that are failing to meet the targets and planting more trees to absorb CO2 on its own land.

As an interim measure, the Lib Dems also called on the Council to sign up to the national 10:10 campaign, which is receiving wide support across the country - to cut CO2 by10% by 2010. And, say the Lib Dems, other councils around the country are working to cut their fuel and energy costs to help save tax payers' money.

Cllr Anne Purse, the Lib Dem spokesperson on the environment, said: "Instead of looking at what could be done, the council's cabinet has effectively put its 'head in the sand', saying there was 'no point' in supporting the climate change pledge and refusing to act, even though their own targets are not being achieved. Taking measures to reduce climate change is urgent.

"I am very shocked and disappointed that the Conservatives at County Hall appear not to take climate change seriously. It is particularly surprising when the Conservative Party's nationally is trying to promote its green credentials and yet, in David Cameron's home county, his councillors seem unconcerned about the environment."

"There are good housekeeping reasons for doing more to cut our energy and fuel bills and looking at what can be done to reduce our impact on the environment. This is a concern to all residents and households in the county - and if we can save money in the process, so much the better. Why won't the Conservatives act before it's too late?"