LibDems' "green" record in Clegg's Sheffield power-base needs closer inspection
It is a pity that the LibDem administration in Sheffield, Nick Clegg's power base, has not shown more interest and leadership on green energy, says Cllr Jillian Creasy, leader of the Green Group on Sheffield City Council.
Sheffield has a "Kirklees-style" Affordable Warmth programme, but this was initiated by the Labour group before the Lib Dems came to power in 2008. The LibDems have failed to take on board the Green Group's repeated requests for it to be extended to "hard to treat" homes. They actually cut the funding for the South Yorkshire Energy Centre which the Greens had got into last year's budget and which was intended to boost the Affordable Warmth scheme by providing energy advice.
But the more obvious failure to lead on energy issues in Sheffield was that within weeks of forming the administration, they aborted a feasibility study into a windfarm at Westwood County Park, a reclaimed industrial site. This was the cornerstone of the city's renewable energy strategy - offering up council land to encourage developers to look at wind energy in Sheffield and kickstart interest in the city. With our hilly topography and manufacturing expertise, this was a vitally important project which was sacrificed in order to appease vocal objectors in a marginal ward.
So far Sheffield's ruling LibDem group have not brought forward an alternative energy strategy or shown how they will meet renewable energy targets. I would say "vision and leadership" are sorely lacking.
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