As previously reported on Dorset Eye, on Saturday 24th July, protestors took to the streets of Bournemouth to highlight the lack of action from BCP Council since declaring a climate emergency 2 years ago.
Subsequently Deputy Leader of BCP Council, Cllr Philip Broadhead has said: “I was puzzled to hear the accusation that we somehow have not been taking climate change seriously.
“When we took control of the council in October, the previous Lib Dem, Green and Labour coalition had cancelled their £240,000 budget allocation for climate change.
“In the last six months, we have not only reversed their cut but actually doubled the amount allocated to £480,000. They had also cancelled their proposed “Citizens Assembly” plan, and we have chosen instead to use those funds to focus on actions, not talk.
“So we are spending approximately four times the amount on tackling climate change than many of those Councillors in Saturday’s protest.
“In my view, that’s all trousers and less talk!”
What Cllr Broadhead fails to point out is, from my understanding, the removal of original budget was due to Covid issues and not a political decision of the previous administration.
He also sneers at the “Citizen’s Assembly” plans which is effectively saying ‘we would rather not put controversial decisions to a cross section of our residents about the dramatic changes required to address this issue because we know what’s best for you’.
Then, in a slight of an accountant’s hand, he uses the saving he has made from thwarting local democracy (about £80,000 if I recall correctly) and the return of £240,000 ‘frozen’ under Covid actions to claim their spending is four times higher!?
Now of course, it’s encouraging to see the budget doubled (that’s what £480k is compared to £240k), but there’s no clear indication yet of where this is going to be spent, and remember, a budget is a budget it is not “spending“.
So, in fact, despite the claims, what we have actually seen, is even more mouth and still no trousers.
…. meanwhile £23 million is budgeted for roads, much of which may not be needed if they really get a grip on the climate emergency.
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