We want to become the most sustainable Borough in Greater Manchester

Date published: 28/02/2008

The council decided yesterday to give the Borough's Green Team a massive cash boost in order to become the most sustainable Borough in the region.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, Portfoilio Holder for the Envrionment, has been championing the idea of a powerful Grean Team for the last two years, she says: "Climate change is happening and it will affect us all. To combat climate change at a local level has to become a top priority. In previous years the Council has made relatively little effort to becoming more sustainable. We had one and a half oficers working directly on the issue. In the last year we have made some significant progress: 74 schools are now on the Eco Schools Program, we have introduced new Planning regulations to make sure new houses are as energy efficient as possible and that new developments include some renweable energy sources on site. We are about to create a proper cycling network across the Borough. Our recycling has shot up in the last 18 months. But we need to do a lot more. Our immediate ambition is that the Council should lead by example and the new investment is aimed at reducing the Council's energy costs, aiming to make all Council owned buildings much more energy efficicent, create travel plans for sustainable travel for Council staff, look at our procurement, lookm at the council run vehicle fleet and reduce our waste. 

The Council spends £2m pounds year on energy costs alone. Only a 10% saving would not only contribute to tackle Climate Change it was also be a direct return for the investment into the Green Team.'

The investment approved by the Council on Wednesday amounts to £181,000.