District Councillors enlist local MPs to challenge Labour government on homelessness, warm homes, council funding and climate action

During a Full Council Meeting on Wednesday 17 July, the Liberal Democrat led District Council passed a motion calling on newly elected Victoria Collins MP and newly re-elected Daisy Cooper MP to push the new Government to establish clarity on a number of key issues.

The motion called for clarity on the National Planning Policy Framework, the introduction of a clean energy and insulation programme and for the recognition of the severe underfunding of local government.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Raj Visram, who tabled the motion alongside Liberal Democrat Councillor Giles Fry, said ‘‘I am incredibly pleased that this motion has been passed. Our local MP Daisy Cooper has been a strong local champion, fighting the last Government on their botched planning policies, calling out the Conservatives’ hypocrisy when it comes to the climate crisis and challenging the severe underfunding of local government.  

‘‘Firm and immediate action is needed to protect our climate. That’s why we have called on our local representatives to demand a clean energy and insulation programme that decarbonises the power system and enables local councils to reach their 2030 targets.

‘‘Sadly, the legacy of the Conservatives’ broken top-down housing targets has been continued by this new Labour Government. We tabled this motion to support Daisy and Victoria in holding the Government to account and in safeguarding our local green spaces.

‘‘We have every faith that Victoria and Daisy will work tirelessly to raise these issues under this new Government.’’

The motion was passed with strong support and called for the following:

• Clarity on the National Planning Policy Framework with respect to the housing numbers required in a Local Plan and support for the building of social housing on a level to relieve homelessness, overcrowding and housing register waiting lists.

• A clean energy and insulation programme that decarbonises the power system by 2030 and enables councils to achieve their targets.

• Recognition of the severe underfunding of local government by central government and the risks this poses to our communities and our most vulnerable.