Cllr Ian Cooper
Cllr Ian Cooper

THE new leadership at Staffordshire County Council say they will “review the homework” of the previous Tory administration before making any firm decisions on the future of climate change initiatives.

Reform UK’s leader, Cllr Ian Cooper, was quizzed on the issue by Cllr Richard Holland at a meeting this week.

In a response to a question from the Conservative member for Lichfield Rural North, about how the new administration would meet legal obligations around climate change, Cllr Cooper said work was taking place to understand the requirements that needed to be met.

“As a new leadership we are committed to lifting the bonnet on the county council and understanding everything we do, which includes the approach to net zero.

“We will be guided by officers to understand our legal obligations during this period.

“We already understand the county council is playing a role as local transport authority in helping to plan for the deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure, supporting businesses and residents to reduce their energy bills and supporting communities to adapt to the impact of flooding.”

But Cllr Holland questioned why Reform UK’s leadership had reversed on previous proposals.

“You said during the campaign that you would be scrapping all net zero initiatives. Could you let us know why you have changed your mind?”

Cllr Cooper said his administration was keen to ensure it had a full picture before making any changes.

He explained:

“Staffordshire County Council takes its legal responsibilities extremely seriously – but we will get back to the councillor after we’ve had a chance to mark the work from the previous administration and review their homework before we make any decisions.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

Subscribe
Notify of

6 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Mr L
4 months ago

Couldn’t apologise for costing the taxpayers of Staffordshire £27k in a by-election already though could you. Could be a long few years!

Clare Sholl
4 months ago

If Cllr Cooper wants the full picture, he should start by educating himself about the realities of climate change and the impact it is already having around the world, including here in the UK.

Reform’s donors include major polluters and climate science deniers. If you want to understand Reform’s policies, look at who is funding them. This is who Reform UK really represents.

ProfessorPineapple
4 months ago

Reform UK has received more than £2.3 million from oil and gas interests, highly polluting industries, and climate science deniers since December 2019, amounting to 92 percent of the party’s income.

They prefer to be beholden to foreign states and companies and not home – grown jobs in the new green economy.

belleview
4 months ago

@Professor Pineapple : On the 2nd of May you posted and I will quote : I have a new favourite: being photographed and fingerprinted when I go to Europe. I just hope it’s eco and sustainable travel and not using dirty oil and gas because you don’t want to cause any climate change do you.

Philip
4 months ago

There is such a lot of nonsense talked about global warming. Yes it is a reality but, and importantly, it needs the global population to control it. Quite frankly this is not happening. There is always some reason why poluters should be exempt. Take air travel, exponential increases in recent years. Pollution into the high atmosphere in massive amounts. Would you forgo your foreign holiday to save the planet. No I thought not! The move away from fossil fules might be stimulating industrial development and profitability but, in real terms, not making any difference to the global warming situation.

Asellus aquaticus
4 months ago

@Philip. I always seem to be taking this opposite view to you on this matter. I find it sad that you reflect a common position that because your individual efforts would make very little difference, you just shouldn’t bother. You say “Would you forgo your foreign holiday to save the planet. No I thought not!” I’ve very much reduced the number of foreign holidays I’ve taken over the last few years, and my concern about climate change has very much been a factor in that.