In the midst of austerity cuts, Manchester City Council has spent an undisclosed amount of money on hiring consultants to develop and implement its own climate plan. Marc Hudson reports.
Manchester City Council states that it is committed to tackling climate change. There are several documents with impressive titles that attest this, including the “Manchester City Council Climate Change Delivery Plan 2010-20” and various “Annual Carbon Reduction Plans”, though the word “reduction” is debatable (1).
In a document [pdf] to be discussed at today’s “Environmental Sustainability Sub Group” council officers reveal that they have had to appoint “external expertise” in order to support its internal carbon reduction plan, because of the “challenging and rapidly evolving” nature of “activity in the UK.” This same un-named organisation is “also helping the Council to build its own internal capacity.”
How much money has been allocated to this, which organisation has gained the contract, on what terms – all these are currently unknown. It is hoped that councillors will ask these basic questions.
The wider point is this, though; why do officers think it is acceptable to release the absolute bare minimum of information, even to councillors who have chosen to spend their own time sitting on an Environmental Sustainability Subgroup? From where do officers get the idea that it is their privilege to be as secretive as they can get away with? How long will the councillors – both “back-bench” and Executive – tolerate this behaviour?
Marc Hudson
mcmonthly@gmail.com
UPDATE – fixed a couple of typos (spelt for spent etc). Also, see questions submitted to the chair and scrutiny support officer.
Footnote
(1) The last plan, for 2013-4 claimed a 7 percent reduction in carbon emissions from the Council’s buildings, transport and other activities. On closer examination, emissions had gone UP, and the saving was due to emissions from traffic lights becoming the responsibility of Transport for Greater Manchester. That plan, which used 2009/10 as a baseline rather than the agreed 2005, has never been sent to Executive for approval, and no explanation has been given for that unprecedented move.
manchester climate monthly 
You need a proof-reader Marc. Why do they need paid consultants when they have recieved lots of advice from many skilled and knowledgeable Mancunians? Who of course, they have refused to engage with, meaningfully.
I do need proof readers. And to slow down a bit.
I don’t know why they need consultants! I hope to get some answers without FoIA, but will resort to that if I must.
All best wishes
Marc
There is a report just out, that shows CO2, Methane and NOx emissions are still rising, and Manchester City Council does every thing to increase these emissions further. Increasing the capacity of Manchester Airport, the building the Stockport, South Manchester by-pass and their support of HS2, just to mention a few projects. Along wth the UK Government, pushing ahead with allowing the exploitation of tight gas and giving the companies involved tax breaks. Even though, the exptraction and use of these tight gases will increase CO2, Methane and NOx emissions even further! http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2305306/atmospheric-carbon-levels-hit-record-high-again?wt.mc_ev=click&WT.tsrc=Email&utm_term=&utm_content=lhc-mainlist-p1-itemdesc-2&utm_campaign=BG.Weekly_RL.EU.A.U&utm_source=BG.DCM.Editors_Updates&utm_medium=Email
I have mentioned in the past, that Woking council became electricity self-sufficient, even exporting electricity to the grid, bringing in income. Some has posted that £33 billion could by saved by councils if they invest in local grids, which of course, should reduce the greenhouse gas emissions: http://sustainablecitiescollective.com/david-thorpe/194026/advice-municipalities-invest-local-energy-generation?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=hootsuite_tweets
I recently emailed the Council for a copy of their Draft Green Infrastructure Strategy and, no surprise, have received no response – does it actually exist?