No to Minerals Plan

Lib Dem Councillors vote against Warwickshire Mineral Plan.

At the County Council meeting held July 19th. Liberal Democrats opposed the adoption of the new plan. With climate change and the loss of biodervisty along with use of finite resources. The Conservatives went ahead and voted it through with one of there members abstaining.

The impact of the plan on places like the proposed Barford and Wasperton quarry which is only 350 yards from Barford village, is right next to the river Avon and by Hampton Lucy nature reserve and expected to have up to 200 vehicle movements a day. Can’t be right

Web cast from the meeting https://warwickshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/671500/start_time/3022000

Back the Lib Dems Green Plan https://change.libdems.org.uk/green/

Council Tax is Unfair

Liberal Democrats are proposing an amendment to the Tory budget at Shire Hall. They have reduced the unfair council tax that residents will have to pay. It still means that by 2027 that over £65 million pounds will come out of the organisation. The Government is failing to support local authorities and has only given 12 month settlement.

Cllr Jerry Roodhouse Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Warwickshire County Council said

Cllr Jerry Roodhouse

“The Liberal Democrats are presenting a balanced budget that reduces the burden on the taxpayer, increasing costs to individuals as highlighted by the Resolution Foundation will see families hit with at least £1,200 hit. Council Tax is unfair and should be scrapped and local government given the investment needed not 12-month handouts from the Government, clearly inflation, national insurance hikes and increasing costs wipe out the extra resources that are needed. Liberal Democrats have put together a set of proposals that invests more into fixing our broken pavements and introduce a Highway action fund for 20mph speed limits, adult social care and children services including tackling long covid . We are calling on the Tory administration to join with us and ensure that we see a Fairer, more Caring and Greener Warwickshire”

Warwickshire Liberal Democrats are investing more funds into Adult Social Care including the commissioning, Children & Families, customer support, specific projects include the following,

  • Investing £3 million capital monies into improving the worsening state of Warwickshire pavements targeted at delivering improvements to pavements and footways in Warwickshire.
  • Investing £0.400 million over the five years to deliver the Council’s Outdoor Education Strategy (https://democracy.warwickshire.gov.uk). The strategy is a key component of a “Child Friendly Warwickshire”; supporting young people in their development. We see this as part of the day to day business of the Council, especially after the administration closed Marle Hall.
  • Increase investment over the next five years to £0.500m in support for those with Dementia and Alzheimer’s and their carers. We recognise that Dementia and Alzheimer’s will be increasing as the demographics towards a larger older population. The investment will support the development and implementation of dementia-friendly communities alongside the developing ‘Living well with Dementia’ strategy providing carers support for adults and young carers.
  • Invest £0.250 million a year in early intervention and prevention; supporting families and children especially in the early years. If levelling up is to work it need this investment back into early years.
  • Invest £0.100 million to accelerate the work in communities around long covid as identified by the Director of Public Health in the Annual report 2020/21.
  • The creation of a Highways Action Fund to support the implementation of 20mph speed limits.
  • Increase Community Councillor grants from £6,000 to £8,000 in 2022/23 to help boost local communities after covid, with at least £2,000 being awarded towards supporting young people and youth activities.

Liberal Democrat Amendment link Revenue Lib Dem 8/02/22 Capital proposals Lib Dem 8/02/22

Living Streets

We support Living Streets and they are doing some really good stuff. This past year and a half our street space has come under more scrutiny than ever before. This is due largely to the pandemic and our changing habits. And then there’s the small matter of an unfolding climate emergency.

Meanwhile at Living Streets we are listening. This is what we’ve heard.

End Fuel Poverty

The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has published the latest index, http:http://www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/english-fuel-poverty-index-2021

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said:

Councils play a hugely important role in the fight against cold homes. They work with landlords and housing providers to ensure that all rental properties in the area are let to a decent standard. By working with local health bodies and community groups, they can identify and support those most at risk from the negative impacts of fuel poverty.

Local authorities must have the resources needed to properly enforce energy efficiency regulations which keep older people and families safe. As we approach the winter, no one must go cold and unwell for fear of the cost of turning the heating on. Longer term, we need to see greater investment from the government in energy efficiency programmes, which will help lower bills, reduce anxiety for those in cold homes and protect people against any future surges in fuel costs.

Direct Link via QR code

Increasing fuel and energy costs Nuneaton & Bedworth index 75% North Warwickshire 77% Rugby Borough 75% Stratford upon Avon District 72% Warwick District 71%. Clearly with extra pressures on finances any extra support will be needed Act on Energy has plenty of advice and support https://actonenergy.org.uk/

Act On Energy

Change Direction

Battery’s from electric cars, need to look at recycling now

Liberal Democrats are calling on Warwickshire County Council to change direction on the economy. Cllrs Jerry Roodhouse and Bill Gifford are proposing a motion to the County.

Proposed motion for Council

This Council supports the UN sustainability goals as part of its corporate plan and notes the good work that has been taking place regarding Climate Change so far and welcomes the Green Shoots initiative along with other actions that have been taken.  

This Council also recognises the increased scientific evidence that we need to act more quickly, as confirmed by the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report (sixth assessment). The UK is hosting the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 and holding the Presidency for this critical conference, and there is an ever-increasing focus on net zero carbon.  

In light of these facts, Council requests that it establishes a framework by which all decisions made by WCC are checked against a climate change assessment. WCC should also use its unique position to bring forward strategic proposals on further developing the direction of Warwickshire’s economy. For example, this could include greater investment towards green skills as indicated in the latest growth hub report. With the increase in electric vehicles and the greater reliance and use of batteries, we as a county should also seek to work with innovators and lead in developing the recycling actions that will be needed to make Warwickshire a circular economy.


Policy information innovation-deal-for-a-circular-economy

Climate Change We Must Act Now, Countdown to COP 26

The earth is in our hands


Save our environment

Britain must lead the way in cutting emissions, protecting nature and cleaning our air – back the green recovery plan.

This autumn, world leaders will meet in Glasgow to agree the next steps to address the climate crisis. Britain must lead the way by acting now to protect our natural environment, clean up our air and cut our carbon emissions. United Nations COP26 web site for details https://ukcop26.org/

But the Conservatives are taking us backwards in the fight against climate change. Liberal Democrats have a plan for a green recovery, creating jobs and tackling the climate emergency

The Liberal Democrats Green Plan https://change.libdems.org.uk/green/

Cllr Jenny Fradgley leads on Climate Change on the County Council for the Lib Dem group.

We have produced the “Little Green Book” for residents download a copy https://warkslibdems.mycouncillor.org.uk/files/2021/07/The-Little-Green-Book-2021-1.pdf.

Cllr Sarah Boad has progressed the debate on buses in Warwickshire.

Green Energy Switch

Britain to get 80% of its electricity from green energy by 2030.

Green Every Home

Upgrade insulation in all existing homes by 2030 and require all new homes to be eco-friendly.

Clean Air for Kids

Safe walking, cycling and public transport routes to school as part of a £20 billion Clean Air Fund.

Lib Dem Green Recovery Plan

Transport Revolution

Investing £40 billion in rail, buses, trams and electric vehicles.

Save British Countryside

Double the UK’s natural environment by cleaning up our waterways, restoring peat bogs and planting tree

Action on Buses

Call for action by Liberal Democrat Cllrs at Warwick Cllrs Sarah Boad & Bill Gifford will present a motion to County Council July 1st that calls for elected members to work cross party to support local bus services.
The motion states that It is noted that the provision of local bus services in the County
have suffered during the pandemic with a reduced frequency
of the service and a large drop in the number of passengers.
It is also noted that a good and regular service is essential to
achieve the modal shift required to reduce the number of car
journeys.
This Council resolves to set up a cross party working group to
work with officers to draw up a fully costed Bus Service
Improvement Plan for approval by Cabinet by the end of
October 2021:
The plan should

  1. include an aim to deliver a comprehensive service for
    Warwickshire;
  2. encourage greater use of buses;
  3. encourage greater uptake and use of bus passes;
  4. investigate the use of electric and hydrogen buses
    Proposer: Councillor Sarah Boad
    Seconder: Councillor Bill Gifford

Amendments by both the Conservative & Green groups are being made to the motion

More information can be found Campaign for Better Transport

Action needed on buses

The Little Green Book

Liberal Democrats have have campaigned for a greener Warwickshire. Today the Leader of the Liberal Democrat group Cllr Jerry Roodhouse on released the “The Little Green Book” which he has developed as a practical guide to helping the local environment. Cllr Jerry Roodhouse said in releasing this booklet “that by only by working together can we start improving our biodiversity and local environment. Warwickshire does not perform well against its own indicators for biodiversity so we need to do more, I hope residents find this booklet helpful and a practical; way that they can help our environment and planet”.

Liberal Democrats fighting for a greener future

Link to the The Little Green Book