Transcript The Local Government Finance System

Save energy, save money, save the
climate – local and regional actions
Actions by UK local authorities
Cllr Ian Mearns
Deputy Leader, Gateshead Council
Vice-Chair of the LGA Environment Board
31 January 2007
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
A Local Government Vision for action on
Energy and Climate Change
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
LGA Action
Leading the Way publication
• Responsibility
• Delivery
• Influence
• Know-how
• Democratic legitimacy.
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
LGA &
partners action
Councils working
together
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
Launch of Nottingham Declaration online pack
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
Local Flagship Project:
Gateshead International Business Centre
Image courtesy Gateshead Council
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
Local Flagship Project:
Gateshead International Business Centre
Image courtesy Gateshead Council
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
Local Flagship Project:
Gateshead International Business Centre
Image courtesy Gateshead Council
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
Local Authorities working with energy
companies
• Development of warm zones
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
3 main roles for UK councils on climate
change
– As responsible organisations
– Through services they provide
– As community leaders.
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
Local Government influencing National
Policy
• LGA Climate Change Commission
• Agreed strategic role for Local Govt
• Performance framework
• Holistic approach
• Environment at centre of local strategies
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
Innovative planning policies
We must be ambitious and challenge:
a) industry
b) construction of new buildings
c) local government – building regulations
and control and planning.
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
Planning Policies for Sustainable Buildings
LGA & Partners
• guidance on good practice for ensuring new
buildings reach higher levels of
sustainability
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
UK policy developments
New Code for Sustainable Homes
Draft Planning Strategy for Climate Change
Draft policy for zero carbon development
by 2016
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
Local Government Aspirations and Actions:
Higher standards for ALL buildings & flexibility to be ambitious
Local Authorities leading the way:
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Draft London Plan
Reading Core Strategy
London Borough of Merton’s Development Plan
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
Let’s not forget the role of recycling
• Recycling and re-use are ways of avoiding
green house gases which contribute to
climate change and landfill.
Climate change: actions by UK
local authorities
Action!
Thank you and we look forward to
working together to save energy, save
money and save the climate!