County Councillor for Gartree – November 2022
LEICESTERSHIRE PLAN TO REACH NET ZERO
Following a consultation, Leicestershire County Council has updated its plan for the county to reach net zero by 2045 after almost 1,400 people had their say on the draft this summer.
The council itself is already more than 70 per cent of the way towards the goal of becoming a net zero council by 2030 and wants to team up with others to make the county-wide target a reality.
Priority next steps for action include:
- delivering the Sustainable Warmth Programme to improve energy performance of homes, reducing emissions and fuel poverty;
- working with partners to develop a new programme of business support for carbon reduction;
- generating local renewable energy through the development of Quorn Solar Farm and successful rollout of Solar Together Leicestershire, to provide more than 1,000 households with solar panels;
- working with partners to reduce the carbon impact of food production, distribution and waste through the Sustainable Food Plan;
- bringing organisation, businesses and residents together to tackle climate change through the Leicestershire Climate and Nature Pact;
- supporting communities to take action through the SHIRE Environment Grants programme.
The council has also developed its 2030 Net Zero Council Action Plan to help strengthen the authority as a leader in tackling climate change.
The updated plan was discussed by Cabinet on Tuesday 25 October and will now go to Full Council in December for final approval.
HELP WITH COST OF LIVING AND JOBS
The County Council is doing everything it can to support families as cost of living rises bite. There are funds, programmes, and services to help you and your family get through this difficult time.
Some extra Government cash is enabling the County Council to step up the support it’s providing this winter as cost of living pressures bite. Some of the money will be used to offer emergency food and fuel support to ensure 14,000 children across the county have free school meal vouchers during the Christmas, February half term and Easter holidays.
The Work Live Leicestershire (WiLL) project exists to build a better future for people in rural Leicestershire, through training and employment opportunities. The programme provides support for unemployed rural residents, and help to tackle any barriers that are keeping them out of the workforce.
They engage with participants on a one-to-one basis, so people can confide in the keyworkers about their current situation, hopes, aspirations and work goals.
Whether it’s dealing with stress and anxiety, confidence building, CV writing and interview preparation, digital skills or an introduction to helping in schools, help is available.
WiLL can help people into work experience, through volunteering, or assist with job search, until the perfect fit is found for the next step. If specialist advice is needed on how to start a business and become self-employed, they can help with that too, so contact them with an idea to make a living from!
The Well at 45 High Street in Kibworth Beauchamp hosts a WiLL drop in session every second Thursday 10am to 1pm. You can find out more on this website: www.workliveleicestershire.org.uk.
Kevin Feltham
kevin.feltham@leics.gov.uk
Luscious Lighthouse Takeaway!
