Scarborough and Whitby MP not going to support new Climate and Ecological bill
Scarborough Borough Council wants him to vote for it in Parliament
Last updated 10th Sep 2021
Scarborough and Whitby's MP says he is not going to support a new Climate and Ecological Emergency Private Members’ Bill.
It has been proposed by Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, and the Borough Council wants him to vote for it in Parliament.
It is after the authority voted this week to recognise the emergency.
Robert Goodwill said:
"Well I think this is another example of Scarborough Borough Council playing politics. I mean they declared the climate emergency a couple of years ago and they've done absolutely nothing to actually deliver on that.
"Where can you charge an electric vehicle in our borough? We have lots of council-run car parks, you can't charge an electric vehicle, do the council have electric vehicles? Have they insulated their buildings? So they're absolutely just playing politics on this particular one.
"If they really want to demonstrate that they take these issues seriously then let's see some action from them. Scarborough is one of the worst places in the country for being able to charge an electric vehicle.
"Caroline Lucas' Private Members' Bill stands no chance of getting on the statute book and I won't be wasting my time going in to vote on it on a Friday, when I could be better deployed in my constituency meeting constituents and dealing with their problems first hand.
"Let's see some action from Scarborough Borough Council. Let's see them actually do the things they actually can do to improve the performance of the buildings that the Council runs, see them install electric charging points. The Council controls a lot of land so where are they planting hedges on their land? Let's see the Council actually deliver on some of these things."
Scarborough Borough Councillor Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said:
“Cabinet councillors approved our climate change strategy in July. It followed a detailed review by members of our cross party overview and scrutiny committee who made valuable contributions to its development.
“We are working with partners to draw down funding from government to help us progress our ambitions. Our door is always open to Mr Goodwill should he wish to discuss how we could work together to implement this important agenda.
“We have set many clear actions, with deadlines, which aim to reduce our own carbon emissions and encourage residents and business throughout the borough to do the same so that together we can build a community that understands, cares about and acts on climate change.
“These include plans to reduce the carbon dioxide (CO2) output - known as decarbonisation - of our vehicles and equipment through a transition to electric and hydrogen power, and promote zero emission transport in our business travel and commuting.
“We will also encourage active and public transport to be the primary modes of movement in the borough and promote the use of electric vehicles where car use is necessary.
“We want to decarbonise our properties through energy efficiency measures and using green energy, and help our communities to do the same in their own properties.
“The strategy also includes plans to plant more trees and restore peatland to increase carbon storage in the borough.
“One of the many actions currently being progressed is a plan for electric vehicle charging points in our car parks. Colleagues are hoping to bring a report on this to Cabinet in the autumn for approval."
Steve Siddons, Leader of Scarborough Borough Council, said:
“The motion was not political. It was a free vote for all members but the voting pattern highlighted those members who appear to take climate change seriously and those who don’t. Our MP’s suggestions appear to place him firmly in the ‘not serious’ camp. Does he seriously think planting a few hedges is going to solve the climate crisis?"
You can read the authority's Climate Change Strategy here.