Reform appeals to rescind Durham County Council ‘climate emergency’

Durham County Council declared the warning in 2019, setting out a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2045. 

However, the latest move by the Reform administration suggests the party is prioritising other services. 

Deputy Leader Darren Grimes has requested that the local authority instead declare a “County Durham Care Emergency” to recognise the “critical and escalating crisis” in children’s social care, including Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision.

The Annfield Plain and Tanfield councillor warned that the ongoing crisis is the “most urgent threat to the well-being of our children and the financial stability of our county.”

Earlier this year, the council said it was struggling to cope with rising demand and called for major changes to provision.  

The motion also requests that the council’s cabinet “prioritise care in the community and lead an urgent and fundamental shift in council resources and policy,” focusing on: 

• Lobbying central government for a fair and sustainable funding model for children’s social care and SEND.

• Investing in early intervention and preventative services to support children within their families and communities.

• Developing and expanding local provision for children in care and those with SEND.

• Reviewing all current spending commitments to ensure resources are directed towards the immediate needs of residents and the Care Emergency.

Councillors will vote on the motion at a full council meeting on Wednesday, July 16. 

The local authority’s current Climate Emergency Response Plan, which sets out several objectives, will run until 2027.

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Reform leaders in County Durham were recently questioned on whether the party would continue the previously agreed council ambition to reduce its carbon footprint and achieve net zero.

Councillor Karen Allison, cabinet member for Neighbourhoods and Environment, said: “Reform were elected with a mandate to review net zero and to identify efficiencies and savings for the people of County Durham.”

During election campaigning, Reform UK told voters it would scrap net zero and energy levies to save households hundreds of pounds per year.

However, County Durham Liberal Democrats plan to stage a protest in opposition of Reform’s plans.

Councillor Mark Wilkes said: “Cllr Grimes thinks Net Zero is the cause of the council’s financial problems. It’s absolute nonsense. Indeed work we have been doing has actually saved the council money. 

“The massive increases in adult and social care costs have been caused by inflation, societal changes, underfunding of councils, and the government’s calamitous budget last year has crippled the budgets of every council in the country with huge national insurance cost increases.”