"Insult" green jobs approved at Derby City Council, costing £129,000
"Insult" climate change positions have been approved at Derby City Council, which will cost tax payers £129,000 over the next year.
A bid to remove funding for a controversial new climate change officer role in Derby has been dismissed.
Labour-led Derby City Council will recruit a new Energy Efficiency Officer and a Green Technology and Renewable Energy Officer in its efforts to improve the environment.
The roles are set to cost taxpayers a combined total of £129,000 for the next financial year (2026/27) alone.
Labour leaders say the positions will help reduce the carbon footprint across the city and lower people’s energy bills.
They have previously stated that the Energy Efficiency Officer is already on the council’s books on a temporary basis.
The Green Technology and Renewable Energy Officer is an additional role and will see the chosen individual support low-carbon technology projects and “promoting sustainability and carbon reduction goals”.
But the funding earmarked for them has been publicly disputed in recent weeks.
Unhappy Conservatives believe the money allocated to pay for the roles should be spent on helping households in the city struggling to pay council tax.
Conservative deputy leader Councillor Jonathan Smale branded the roles an “insult” to taxpayers.
He said earlier this month: “They (Labour) propose spending £129,000 on a Green Technology and Renewable Energy Officer and an Energy Efficiency Officer. This is an insult to residents who are struggling to pay council tax or access front-line services.”
Mr Smale said the Conservatives would attempt to amend the positions and “redirect the funding back into the community”.
At a fiery meeting on Wednesday (February 25), Conservative councillor Matthew Eyre called for an amendment to increase funding for councillors to spend on ward improvements, as a replacement for the funding for the Green Technology and Renewable Energy Officer.
Cllr Eyre, an Oakwood councillor, said: “To not back this amendment will see you vote against an increase in funding for your own area, which you can ensure goes to the correct local causes to improve the lives of your residents.”
But Carmel Swan, cabinet member for climate change, slammed the proposal.
She responded: “This is short-sighted, not investing in the future and a ‘let’s look backwards’.
“This job is absolutely vital if we want to look forward and be more strategic about our approach in terms of the best for Derby city and its residents.”
Council leader Nadine Peatfield defended the climate change positions at a cabinet meeting earlier in the month, following the Conservatives’ criticism.
She said: “Energy efficiency does come under climate change, but ultimately it is about saving people money.
“It is about making sure people’s homes are as warm as they possibly can be so their energy bills go down.”