Action on Climate Emergency (ACE) Settle and area has written to the three candidates standing in the Penyghent ward by-election for the vacancy on Craven District Council. ACE is seeking their views on what they would do about the climate emergency if elected on 6 May.
The candidates have been asked five questions, details of which are set out below. They have been asked to reply to the questions by 12 noon, Thursday 29 April. Responses will be posted on this web site.
‘The Climate Emergency – if elected – what will you do?
As you will know, in August 2019 Craven District Council agreed to declare a ‘Climate Emergency’ with the aim for the district to be carbon neutral by 2030. At the time it was one of the few councils in the country to pass a strong climate emergency motion unanimously. This showed unity across all the political parties and recognised the serious threat of climate change to present and future generations. The Council aims to be at the heart of tackling climate change.
It subsequently launched its Climate Emergency Strategic Plan 2020-2030 (updated in January 2020) which can be found at: https://www.cravendc.gov.uk/media/9460/cdc-climate-emergency-strategic-plan-february-2020.pdf
As a candidate in the District Council Penyghent by-election we would like to ask you the following questions:
- What ideas do you have to make the climate emergency the number one priority for your ward to address
- Please describe your vision for this area (by answering any two of the options below) in terms of:
* farming and land management
* improving affordable public transport and better connectivity
* locally based energy plans (to achieve energy conservation and carbon reduction.)
* offering low income households the opportunity to reduce their energy bills and improve energy efficiency standards in their homes
* encouraging the use of electric vehicles (including private and council vehicles)
3. None of the above can be achieved without proper resources and funding. Local authority budgets are under great pressure, so what action do you think is necessary to ensure adequate financial resources to take the measures necessary to achieve the aim for the District to be carbon neutral by 2030?
4. We are already feeling the impact of climate breakdown with more weather extremes, so what measures do you think are necessary to protect our communities from the effects of these changes?
5. As candidate in this election, what action(s) are you taking to reduce your carbon footprint and what guidance would you offer residents in your ward wishing to reduce theirs?
Thanks for answering our questions which we will reproduce on our website at: http://acesettleandarea.org/ You may wish to consider featuring them on your social media outlets in the run-up to the election on 6 May.’
