Southend’s Reform leader has claimed a council training document on cutting carbon footprints asks councillors to join what he called ‘disruptive groups’ like Extinction Rebellion and Greenpeace
Cllr Tony Cox, who is now calling for a council induction change(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Southend’s Reform UK leader has criticised the city’s council after receiving training materials he claims include controversial advice on lifestyle choices. The documents, circulated to all councillors following this month’s elections, are part of a training programme to reduce carbon footprint.
The training covers a range of topics, including the role of local councils, policy approaches, action planning, and the causes of climate change. However, Mr Cox said some of the content prompted concern.
Material, according to Mr Cox, included examples of measures believed to reduce carbon impact, such as having fewer children and encouraging plant-based diets in schools. References were also made to environmental campaign groups, including Greenpeace, Extinction Rebellion and Youth 4 Climate.
According to Southend Council, the material is based on a “nationally recognised Carbon Literacy Project”.
Mr Cox said: “I do not understand why the council are sharing this with us councillors when we could be focusing on pressing issues to the community. I am absolutely appalled at the way these modules have been delivered. I don’t understand why we are being asked to join Extinction Rebellion, one of the most disruptive groups.
“In the next motion, which should be sometime in July, we will be putting forward to the full council that the module should be removed. We want to be trained on hard-hitting issues.”
In a response, a spokesperson for Southend Council said: “The material is based on the nationally recognised Carbon Literacy Project and relates to the impacts of climate change in the UK, including the flooding that we saw in Southend in 2013. This is part of our staff and councillor induction programme.”
