A vote has seen Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council revoke its climate emergency declaration.
The decision is the latest development of the council’s efforts to create savings by scrapping its net zero plans, which it says will generate £6.2m.
In a statement published today, the local authority confirmed that the formal move has resulted in its 2019 climate emergency declaration being rescinded, which means voiding the council’s commitment to ‘Net Zero Newcastle 2030’.
The plans have also involved the council abandoning plans to replace its waste collection fleet with electric vehicles.
According to the council, these changes align with its aims to ‘prioritise core services and value for money’, rather than supporting ‘what cabinet members described as costly and ideological climate targets’.
Cllr Jonathan Gullis, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said: ‘This council will not spend residents' money on Net Zero virtue signalling when bins need collecting, streets need cleaning and communities need keeping safe.
‘Rescinding this declaration doesn't mean we stop caring about our environment. We'll meet our legal obligations and protecting our valued parks and green spaces, because that's what residents actually asked for.’
Cllr Ben Simpson, Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling & Green Spaces, added that the £6.2m generated in savings will be targeted towards services such as recycling, litter enforcement, and the maintenance of parks and green spaces.
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