Claire's Blog - update from the Climate Change Member for Mole Valley
Welcome to my second Blog. These are specially to keep you up to date with what I am doing as the Climate Change Member for Mole Valley. I am very privileged to have this position and take my work very seriously. So much so, I have gone back to Uni. as a mature student and am half way through my master's in Sustainable Development and Environment. Here are some of the things we have been moving forward with:
CLIMATE EMERGENCY
I'm sure most of you will know that over three years ago now, after decades of Tory Administration, we, the new Liberal Democrat Administration declared a Climate Emergency. Since then we have worked tirelessly to lower our Council's carbon footprint, along with our contractors. Masses of work has gone on behind the scenes to find out how we can do that. Our carbon footprint was analysed by the Carbon Trust who advised us to acquire as much of our own green electricity as possible, which we are continuing to do.
GROUNDBREAKING 2ND CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
Time passes so quickly; we are now working on our Second Action Plan. This has already rolled out our Procurement Charter, with a toolkit to make sure our contractors are following the same ethos as Mole Valley District Council.
DECAROBONISATON PLANS FOR OUR LEISURE CENTRES AND MEADOWBANK
The Great South East Energy Hub is supporting MVDC to create paperwork ready to apply for grant funding.
CHANGING OUR COMMUNITY BUSES AND VANS TO ELECTRIC
We are working with the Energy Saving Trust to find the best way forward.
50,000 TREES
Did you know that Mole Valley District Council is responsible fore over 50,000 trees? Consequently, we are bringing a formal tree inspection policy to Cabinet in September for consideration.
COMMUNITY LOTTERY FUND
One of the more fun ideas I've come up with was, one year old in July. It has been an amazing success! I wanted our residents to feel included and this has been achieved. It is supporting 51 local groups, at present, and providing money from its Environment fund for Mole Valley District Council to plant trees around the district. Ticket are £1. Purchasers (that's you, I hope?) can choose which group they want their money to go to. 10 pence of every ticket goes to the Mole Valley Environment Fund, or they can designate the Environment Fund to be their choice for 60 pence to go to. (The rest goes on admin. and prizes). Each week there is a jackpot of £25,000! https://molevalley.gov.uk/lottery
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING POINTS
We committed to installing 90 Electric Vehicle Charging Points across MVDC car parks. It's been tough with the complications of the pandemic, including difficulties of spiralling costs. It's also proven very complex in terms of the survey work and permissions on other people's land. The good news is that as our car parks are refurbished the electric ducts will be installed to support the EV points. Work has commenced in the Dorking Sainsbury's car park. We expect the points to be installed within this fiscal year.
STILL TO COME: SOLAR PANELS
We have succeeded in finding out that more solar panels can be installed, through our feasibility study. We now know it is possible to place more solar panels on Dorking Sports Centre and Leatherhead Leisure Centre. Other work is being done to find more venues for renewable generation.
You may remember I led the motion:
AGAINST FURTHER NEW FOSSIL FUEL EXTRACTION
In October I was so proud to put this motion to Full Council. Surrey County Council has the authority to make decisions on mineral extraction in Mole Valley, MVDC only has the capacity to advise. I put it to the MV Council that we should advise SCC to consider not allowing new extraction permissions or renewing old ones. This was agreed and passed unanimously.
SURREY PENSION FUND MOTION
For three years I have worked on this. Finally in July it was agreed unanimously that Mole Valley District Council would request The Surrey Pension Fund and its investments to reach net zero by 2035. Our words were chosen very carefully so as to make sure 'big business' would buy into this.
GOING GREEN PAGES
These are regularly updated and are there to help all of you to lower your carbon footprint, recycle and repair: https://www.molevalley.gov.uk/goinggreen and to assist you on your quest to help our ailing planet.
For regular updates check these pages and follow us on facebook.