CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the council to do more to tackle environmental issues after being left “disappointed” by the authority plans to address climate change.

Bracknell Climate Action Group, a newly-formed campaign made up of borough residents, is working with the council to create a climate action plan for the community.

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Councillors joined by University of Reading professors to discuss the future impact of climate change and what other local authorities are doing to address the issue at a meeting last week (Wednesday, December 2).

Kathryn O’Neal, a member of BCAG, also spoke at the meeting, where she urged council chiefs to create an action plan which involves residents by enabling the borough to “become part of the green industrial revolution.”

She said: “Bracknell has a fantastic opportunity to develop an ambitious, far-reaching and impactful climate action plan.

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“But this must be done with the support of its residents. We want to give people hope that they can make a difference and that they can have a voice.”

The meeting lasted more than three hours as councillors, UoR representatives and council chiefs discussed the issues at hand.

But after the meeting, Ms O’Neal said she was “surprised by the lack of urgency shown by councillors.”

She said: “Bracknell appears to be just continuing along its current path of developing a minimal climate plan.

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“They appear to be happy with what they are doing, although Bracknell’s plan is nowhere near as ambitious as other councils around us.

“They should look at other models which use the widespread skills and knowledge of residents to work co-operatively on a far more ambitious and radical plan which will really make a difference.

“We clearly have a lot to do to get this message across.”

Bracknell Forest Council issued a climate change action plan in 2013 after becoming a signatory to the Local Government Association’s Climate Local scheme.

It was updated and revised in 2016 and again in 2020 based on an internal consultation.

So far, this plan has included eco-friendly projects such as:

  • Planting more than 1,400 trees across the borough as part of a green highways project
  • Securing £1.2 million in grants from Warm Homes to provide heating solutions for poorer households

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  • Fitting LED lanterns on 14,500 street lights, which accounted for energy savings of 55 per cent between April 2016 and April 2019.

Last year it was agreed by councillors Bracknell Forest Council would put in place actions that work towards meeting the government target of eradicating its net contribution to climate change by 2050.

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In order to achieve this, BFC’s 2020/2021 action plan has 41 projects which could affect climate change locally.

Five of these are projects the council has direct control over.

Bracknell Forest Council did not respond for within the deadline given for a request for comment.