Local Lib Dems are celebrating after receiving an award recognising their environmental achievements in running the Council.
Bath and North East Somerset Liberal Democrat Council Group was named “Green Council Group of the Year 2014” by the Local Government Association Liberal Democrats.
The award was presented by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg MP at the Party’s Spring Conference in York last weekend.
The citation for the award was as follows:
“This Lib Dem council is working hard on environmental issues – installing LED street lighting, extending and improving the cycle network, including a cycle hire scheme for council staff. They have worked hard on the Green Deal and a community energy strategy that tackles fuel poverty.
“They have invested in local bus services when so many other councils are cutting theirs and are leading the way on re-opening two railway stations. They are expanding a scheme to cut down on lorry deliveries to the centre of Bath. Less than a third of their waste now goes to landfill. So the Green Council Group of the Year goes to Bath and North East Somerset.”
Councillor David Martin (Bathwick), who is the Member Champion for Energy and Climate Change in B&NES, commented: “Protecting the environment has been one of our key priorities as a Liberal Democrat administration. From encouraging cycling to increasing recycling, and from saving energy to generating electricity, we have been working to lead the way on environmental issues.”
Councillor Lisa Brett (Walcot), who is vice-Chair of the Council’s panel on Planning, Transport and the Environment, said: “I am thrilled with this award which is a credit to the Liberal Democrats’ commitment to promoting environmental values.
“I am particularly proud of the £1m Green Investment and Job Opportunities Fund which is part of our plans for 2014-15, as approved in last month’s budget vote.”
