LOCAL Lib Dem leader Cllr Bob Barr is calling for urgent action from Warrington Borough Council to protect the most vulnerable from unaffordable energy costs next winter.
A Lib Dem motion to improve the insulation of homes of those who cannot afford the materials or lack the skills or ability to install it was passed unanimously at full council last week.
Cllr Barr said, “The Council has a Climate Emergency Plan which is a masterpiece of very worthy aspirations but lacks targets for immediate action which could immediately benefit our residents. We need a SMART policy for action but this is not part of the Council’s strategic document. Better insulation is of critical importance in helping us meet our carbon reduction aspirations.
“The Government has allocated £2.8 million from the Household Support Fund to Warrington and some of this should be used. Skills are important and the Council should work with local educational facilities like Warrington and Vale Royal College to ensure courses are available for those who want to skill-up. A directory of local trades people who want to participate in the scheme should be compiled. Funding from other sources should be sought to help promote insulation efforts across the town.
“Much of the infrastructure to achieve these intentions was in place or being developed between 2010 and 2015. Unfortunately, following David Cameron’s election win, these achievements were sacrificed in order to ‘cut the green crap’, to use his phrase. The removal of a marginal levy on average household energy bills was given priority over carbon reduction and protecting the vulnerable. Much of the retrofit industry went under. Skills were lost and new skills were not acquired.”
After the meeting, Cllr Marks Browne added, “I am delighted this motion was passed. I hope it will be implemented so that we will immediately have a visible and practical scheme to help our residents with the cost of living, a reduction in carbon emissions and less pressure on our health service due to people suffering disease from having to live in cold and damp houses.”
