APPLETON Parish Council has voted to support the Climate and Emergency Bill after a lively debate.
The motion to support the Bill was put forward by Liberal Democrat Councillor Mark Browne. It requires the Council to declare a climate and ecological emergency, support the national CEE Bill going through Parliament, write a letter to the MP urging him to sign up to the Bill and contact the CEE Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support.
Councillor Browne (pictured above) said: “I am delighted that after much debate, Appleton Parish Council agreed to support this motion. It demonstrates to the Appleton community that its Parish Council places the importance of the consequences of climate change and the potential devastating effects on our ecology at the forefront of our policy decisions. This will demonstrate to the local community that their physical and social welfare will be prioritised in the decisions we make.
“As a Liberal Democrat I will use my best endeavours to ensure that our actions and investments are consistent with the aspirations of this Bill. This decision brings Appleton into line with other Parish Councils in south Warrington, namely Lymm, Grappenhall and Thelwall and Stockton Heath which have already supported the motion. We urge the Member of Parliament for Warrington South to look at the example set by the Parish Councils in his constituency and support the CEE Bill.
“This action is particularly important at a time of great ecological uncertainty in south Warrington caused by the proposed Local Plan and its proposals to build thousands of homes and millions of square feet of industrial development on the town’s Green Belt.”
Appleton Parish Council has already made progress in committing to be environmentally friendly by having a paperless office and undertaking recycling. Part of the renovation project funded by WREN included the installation of LED lighting throughout Appleton Parish Hall following an energy audit, installation of cycle hoops to encourage the use of bikes and energy-efficient new double glazing throughout the building.
The Parish Council has also protected open spaces such as Lumb Brook Millennium Green, the rugby field at Bridge Lane shops and an area of woodland by Lyons Lane/Park Crescent with protecting these assets as they are now listed as assets of community value. This will protect these areas for future generations.
Appleton Parish Council has also formed a working party to look at improving The Dingle and surrounding areas working in close partnership with the Woodland Trust, the Land Trust and Warrington Borough Council to protect and revitalise local wildlife and natural habitats. Lumb Brook Millennium Green has received a large grant of £2,500 from Appleton Parish Council to provide financial assistance with the ongoing maintenance costs to keep this valuable open space asset for public use.
The Parish Council is committed to continued improvements and promoting new green initiatives in the Parish.
