Green City Budget Success
21 February 2006
Oxford's 7-strong Green Group, who hold the balance of power on Oxford CityCouncil, managed to secure one million pounds (£1m) of new environmental andsocial initiatives during the 2006/07 budget negotiations concluded thisevening (20th February) following a five hour meeting of Full Council. TheGreens also had a considerable influence on the adopted Labour budget (whichthey successfully amended).
Highlights include:
- Money to improve consultation on the planned new recycling scheme and address any issues arising from it (£60k)
- Establishment of a new Oxford Renewable Energy Services Company to provide residents and businesses with affordable, secure, green energy (£110k). Will generate profit from 2008 onwards.
- A new energy efficiency and renewable energy scheme for Council tenants (£250k)
- Energy saving campaign targeted at Council tenants (£14k)
- A £10k study to release potentially thousands of pounds of borrowing (technically known as Prudential Borrowing) to spend on making Council properties more energy efficient and install renewable energy systems
- Two new officer posts covering Climate Change and Sustainability(£210k)
- A Local Food Development Officer (£105k)to development healthy eating initiatives and opportunities for local food provisions (for example, farmer's markets).
- A new Sustainable Buildings Award (£15k) to promote best practise in Oxford
- Funding for free cavity and loft insulation for residents (+ £85k)
