Lib Dem disappointment over continuing Tory lack of ambition in 'Cleaner Greener' debate

3.34.08pm GMT Tue 18th Nov 2008

Lib Dems have criticised the Tory Leader of West Berkshire Council for his admission of his administration's lack of ambition. Having placed an empty slogan of Cleaner & Greener in green ink on every piece of Council headed paper; it is rarely turned into real policies in the Council.

Cllr Royce Longton, Lib Dem Spokesmen for the Environment on WBC said "The future of our children and grandchildren is at stake but the Tories under Graham Jones are unable to grasp the seriousness of the issue. In nearly four years in power they have not achieved joined up cycle paths, do not invest in improved (nor cheaper) bus services and have no policy to significantly increase renewable energy generation. In short they seem to believe that having a man come into the Council Offices at weekends to check that computers have been switched off is all there is to making the Council cleaner and greener! The biggest contribution to being greener that they can cite is the signing of the integrated waste contract with Veolia - and that has led to literally thousands of missed collections and furious householders threatening to boycott recycling as it was being made so difficult for them to use."

Owen Jeffery (Lib Dem, Thatcham South & Crookham) who is attacked by name by the Conservative Leader points out that "the Lib Dems stood at the last elections with costed commitments to improving the environment. These included making buses more easily available to youngsters to get them out of their parents' cars when going to shops and school and greatly increasing cycling proficiency training. The Conservatives have no idea how to drive the cleaner & greener agenda forward despite repeated attempts by Lib Dem Councillors to help them. We have given our support for renewable energy initiatives with wind turbines, solar panels on public buildings and for three years trying to get a hydro power scheme in place to provide electricity to the Newbury Library. I would rather have our record of pushing for real environmental change then the standard Tory 'can't do - it's just too much bother approach'".