A COUNCIL has vowed to continue implementing its Green Vision, despite facing financial difficulties as Government spending cuts take hold.

Stockton Borough Council’s Labour group has pledged to deliver a low carbon future that drives economic growth and builds resilience to climate change.

The Green Vision also sets out its ambition to ensure all of the authority’s assets and services are carbon neutral by 2030.

Criticising the coalition government, Councillor David Rose, cabinet member for environment, said: “As the Government rows back on all forms of green commitments, as a Labour council we are committing to environmental excellence as a key way we can make a difference for the 192,000 people we serve.

“We know that progressive green policies can improve people’s lives and help tackle the huge challenges we face through the current Government’s failure to support the North-East’s economy and its people.

"Launching our Green Vision for 2050 shows we are prepared to look to the major long-term challenges, and strive for real change.”

The council’s vision sets out a wide variety of targets and action plans to ensure that the authority is in a position to deliver a low carbon economy, while alleviating fuel poverty by helping residents live in energy neutral homes.

A recent report to Cabinet highlighted pressures facing the local community and council services in the future arising from the impacts of climate change, international regulation, energy costs, energy security, population growth, waste management and resource availability.

Councillor Rose said: “The Green Vision covers virtually all council activities and will be fully integrated into the Council Plan.
"Vitally, it means working even more closely with people in local communities, and the other public services, business and the third sector.

“We want to put Stockton on the map as a borough where environmental excellence makes a difference to quality of life for all; is a major driver for economic growth and helps deliver social justice.
"We have achieved a lot through innovative, environmental policy, but there is so much more we need to do.”

As well as creating the Green Vision the Council is also signing up the Local Government Association’s ‘Climate Local’ framework, and later this year will launch Climate Stockton on Tees as a way of publicly reporting progress.

Full details of the Council’s Green Vision Report can be found at www.egenda.stockton.gov.uk/aksstockton/users/public/admin/kab10.pl?cdr_id=d130118&arc=50&phase=two&operation=detail