Environment
Many people in Westmorland and Lonsdale are concerned about litter and other aspects of their environment. These are issues upon which SLDC has failed. Labour wants to do better and is the only fair choice on these issues. Along with Labour SLDC council candidate Kieran Roberts, I explain this in the video below.
Cumbria’s green energy industry is in line for major investment following the Budget. This has been welcomed by Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Jonathan Todd, who is keen that the “green bank” proposed in the Budget assist local firms, like fluid engineering specialists Gilkes at Canal Head in Kendal, in the low carbon sector.
The “green bank” is the centre-piece of a package of job-creation measures contained in the Budget and will be set up with £1bn from the Treasury, funded by the sale of government assets, and £1bn of private funding.
Mr Todd said:
“It is thought that 400,000 ‘green jobs’ can be created over the next five years. The green bank is a partnership between the public and private sectors that will unlock this potential. I welcome the launch of a new hydropower turbine, designed by Kendal-based Inter Hydro Technology, at Heron Corn Mill in Beetham over Easter weekend and I hope that the green bank will encourage other local entrepreneurs to make full use of the new opportunities on offer to develop similar initiatives and expand their businesses.”
Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling said:
“This equity will unlock another billion pounds in finance from the private sector. The fund will focus first on investing in green transport and sustainable energy where Britain is already the world leader. It will help the UK secure new inward investment deals, and support thousands of extra jobs in these sectors.”
Jonathan Todd, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has welcomed news that the Labour government will provide more than £2 million to help repair potholes in Cumbria’s roads.
Chancellor Alistair Darling has said Cumbria will be given £2.3 million from a £100 million fund to repair roads damaged by the snow, ice and plummeting temperatures in recent months.
Mr Todd said:
“Potholes are an issue which many local people raise with me. This welcome news illustrates the responsiveness of the Labour government to the needs of Cumbria. I hope this money is fairly used throughout the county and that Westmorland and Lonsdale gets the share that we need.”
The funding will allow local authorities to pay for the most urgent immediate repairs.
Local resident Lois Sparling said:
“As someone who frequently cycles and also drives on local roads, I am very much aware of the damage which the past winter has inflicted upon them. This extra help to deal with potholes is very timely.”
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said:
“The Chancellor announced an extra £100 million for local authorities to repair pothole damage as a result of this winter’s severe weather. I intend to allocate this to councils as soon as possible, so that they can immediately get their maintenance staff filling potholes and making our roads as safe as possible for drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists. We have trebled funding to local authorities over the last 10 years for road maintenance. This pothole fund further demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that our roads are in the best possible condition.”
Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Jonathan Todd, has welcomed new measures by the Labour government that will help meet rising local demand for allotments.
To help local people access allotments, a national community land bank will be set up to connect land-holders with community groups who want to establish “grown your own” schemes, as well as to provide advice to those involved.
Both public and privately owned land could be turned into fragrant herb gardens, vegetable and flower gardens, including unused land which is owned by councils, NHS and private developers. “Meanwhile leases” will be available to make sure local groups have access to areas whilst development decisions are taking place.
Mr Todd said:
“This is a great initiative which I encourage groups in Westmorland and Lonsdale to participate in. Many of us can think of areas which are currently unused and with a bit of gardening could be brightened. The Lib Dem controlled SLDC has struggled to turn these areas over to allotments but this initiative will help us go further and faster in meeting local demand for allotments. The site on School Knott in Windermere seems a prime candidate for a “meanwhile lease” and I am keen that this option be taken forward.”
Local resident Penny Henderson said:
“As a local resident of Windermere I am hoping that I can eventually get an allotment. I belong to local group who are campaigning for land to be released but it is a long and slow process – not months but years! I would welcome any action from the Government to help make this process easier and quicker so that as many people as possible can make a start to grow their own produce.”
Hilary Benn, Secretary of State at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said:
“Community food growing is a great way for people to get involved in the joys and trials of food production – and we’re pleased that we can help more people grow their own and take it home.”
John Denham, Secretary of State at the Department of Communities and Local Government said:
“From guerrilla gardeners to community growers there is a real keenness to combine 40′s style frugality and 70′s style good life ethics to meet 21st century demands for healthy living, cheaper meals and locally sourced food. More and more people want to grow their own but their efforts can be held up by a shortage of suitable land.
“We also want to support local councils in meeting their duty to provide allotments and new guidance provides practical advice to local councils on how to get the best out of their allotments.”
I’m campaigning for SLDC to sign up to the 10:10 campaign and to publish the size and composition of South Lakeland’s carbon footprint. Please watch the video below where I explain why I am campaigning for these things.
