Maidstone Conservatives downgrade climate response

1.22.00pm GMT Tue 11th Nov 2008

Lib Dems on Maidstone Borough Council have reacted with astonishment to news that the Conservative administration has downgraded the Council's ambitions to become carbon neutral.

The original position inherited by the Conservatives was that the Council should be carbon neutral by 2010. The new Conservative plans are for a much more modest 3% annual reduction on carbon emissions.

Leader of the Lib Dems on Maidstone Borough Council Cllr Fran Wilson said:

"This is civil irresponsibility. The Council is the leading civic voice in our area and should be taking a lead on this issue. This is a betrayal of our children. This is not some academic argument. This moves means that the Council is doing the bare minimum on things that are harming local people like congestion and pollution and new development."

Cllr Tony Harwood said:

"The Council could and should do so much more - they should be investing in park and ride, open spaces and making sure that new buildings are energy efficient.

"They should be making sure that every council service is provided in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Instead, they are throwing away this opportunity and local people will suffer. How can it be defensible to do the minimum on the major threat to local people."