SOUTHWARK LIBERAL DEMOCRATS LAUNCH GREEN ACTION PLAN

12.00.00pm GMT Mon 15th Jan 2007

Southwark Council's ruling Liberal Democrats have launched a 50 point Green Action Plan for the borough. The plan seeks to make both Southwark Council and the wider borough a more environmentally friendly place to live and work.

Launching the action plan, Cllr Lisa Rajan, Southwark's Liberal Democrat Executive Member for the Environment, said:

"We want to build on the work that the Liberal Democrats have done in Southwark since we took control of the Council in 2002. We want to make sure that the Council is a greener organization and that it does whatever it can to make the borough a greener place."

"The environment is one of the top priorities for the Liberal Democrats in Southwark. We believe that inaction is not an option and that the Council must lead by example within the borough to inspire behaviour change."

Cllr James Barber, who is proposing the Green Action Plan at Council Assembly on 24th January said:

"Our Green Action Plan covers big plans such as making sure all new council sponsored buildings conform to the highest environmental standards. We will also be looking at what Liberal Democrat Richmond Council has done in varying residents' parking charges so that those who drive less polluting cars pay less."

"But we are also looking at the little things which can add together to make a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions. That is why we will look to phase out plastic cutlery and bottled water from council offices and help our staff to use public transport wherever possible."

Cllr Adele Morris, who is seconding the motion to Council Assembly, added:

Local Lib Dem Councillors James Barber and Adele Morris launching the Green Action Plan

"Whilst the Council can lead the way in Southwark, we need local residents and businesses to play their part as well. That is why we will continue the push to increase recycling rates and to make it as cheap as possible for residents to go green in their own homes."