Public praises council over carbon emissions record

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Wednesday, 20 February 2019 16:58

By Carmelo Garcia - Local Democracy Reporter

Herefordshire Council was praised last week for its record on reducing carbon emissions in the county.

Dulas resident Liz Overstall recognised that Herefordshire Council has a good record of reducing carbon emissions and environment protection before asking a public question at the full council meeting on February 15.

She asked how much funding was allocated to this type of work and if it was ring-fence.

Cabinet member infrastructure Philip Price said: “I am pleased that Ms Ovenstall recognises the excellent record the council has in tackling carbon emissions and environmental protection in Herefordshire.

“The council recognises the importance of this work, as reflected in the proposed 2019/20 budgets.

“The work on environmental protection is primarily undertaken by the council’s regulatory services, which spans the protection of air, land and water quality as well as general environmental protection and pollution control work and the environmental management of our closed landfill sites.

“In 2019/20 we are proposing expenditure of circa £678,000, being offset with income from statutory fees in the order of £84,000, meaning we expect a net cost of about £594,000.

“The tackling of the council’s impact on carbon emissions is primarily undertaken by the council’s environment and waste services. In 2019/20 we are proposing expenditure of circa £4.51m, being offset with grant income in the order of £1.67m, meaning we expect a net cost of about £2.84m.

“Although these budgets are not ring fenced as such, budget movements are governed by our financial procedure rules available on the council’s website.”