Responses to
Questionnaire for
Local Election Candidates, May 2007
Cllr David Dixon, Liberal Democrat
candidate for Walcot, provided the following response to the
questionnaire on behalf of the Liberal Democrats.
1.
We should
set emissions-reduction targets but also we need an action plan to
achieve the targets, with annual reviews to check progress. The
reviews should be embedded within the Council performance management
system to ensure that all Council departments are involved. Thanks to
the efforts of the Liberal Democrats, the Council is already getting
its own house in order with a Sustainable Procurement Strategy and an
'Invest to Save' project which will see a reduction of energy, waste
and water usage.
2.
Zero waste
implies 100% recycling, so it stands to reason that in the long-run we
should rule out ‘disposal’ including incineration. Zero waste also
means designing products to be recyclable – this is something we can
press for at all levels. Reducing waste also implies increasing
composting – at home and at Council-run sites. The next step for a
Liberal Democrat run council will see introduction of weekly
collection of kitchen waste.
3.
All except A
apply. The LDF is the key to achieving B, C and D. We should certainly
be looking at carbon neutral developments and renovations. We also
need to look at how we can encourage renewable energy projects on
existing properties, while respecting the beauty of Bath and NE
Somerset. The planning system needs the flexibility to weigh up visual
impact of PV Panels, wind turbines and other sustainable
installations, against the Conservation area, Areas of Outstanding
Natural Beauty, Green Belt and the World Heritage Status of Bath.
4.
We believe
the ideal solution would be free bus travel for school children
combined with measures to encourage children to walk or cycle to
school. This would be through investment in cycle routes, Safer Routes
to School schemes, ‘walking buses’, and 20mph speed limits around
schools to make the roads safer. Admissions policies which allow more
flexibility for children to attend local schools would also help.
5.
We should be
looking at phasing out domestic flights and encouraging more
investment into our rail networks. The transport infrastructure around
BIA is not adequate to support the growth aspirations of the airport.
Growth would cause more strain on neighbouring towns and villages
through volumes of traffic and noise.
6.
The river can be a great asset for Bath and we should be
looking at future key developments in Bath and NE Somerset which can
turn the city around to face the river. Many open spaces in Bath are
seen as ‘lungs’ for the city and we should protect them through the
development of LDF policies. Meeting the demand for allotment land is
vital for the city; this promotes healthy local produce, which can be
combined with the efforts of our local food co-ops and markets. By
protecting allotment land we also help to protect our green open
spaces.
