Last month, two of our members, Sally Perry and James Firkins, met our local MP Karen Bradley for a discussion on climate issues affecting the Moorlands. We were delighted to get the opportunity, even though the time available was short, as we’d been requesting a meeting for quite some time. Here are the questions and her summarised replies. See the link at the end for a full downloadable report.
Local Public Transport
We know you’ve very active on getting the Leek to Stoke rail line revived, and we wish you well with that project. But bus services in the Moorlands are in a parlous state. Could you tell us what you’re doing to save what we already have and bring back the kind of routes that can help residents get to work, education or even hospital appointments?
Her response -
She was pleased with the possible train link and on buses, she mentioned £5m in funding for Staffordshire, but didn’t know how much would go to the Moorlands. She agreed that bus services need to be a lot better and would like MCA to work with her, both suggesting routes and promoting the use of rural services, including Moorlands Connect. She thought that the way Moorlands Connect works doesn’t suit everyone but pointed out that if we can prove a need there would be a better chance of getting funding.
Wind / Solar Energy
The UK has been a world leader in decarbonising its electricity sector. But most experts agree that expanding onshore wind is the cheapest and most effective way of getting the industry to Net Zero – and the government has recently loosened the effective ban on wind turbines. What is your personal view on this?
Her response - She agreed that relaxing the rules on onshore wind was a good idea but could understand people’s opposition. If turbines ‘blighted’ their views they would object unless they benefited. She was critical of farmers erecting wind turbines for their own use and where only the landowner got the benefit. When asked, she said she would support community projects where the local community could benefit - not just wind but also solar energy.
Rental Housing and Insulation
Government figures show that the Moorlands has some of the most energy-inefficient housing in England. That’s not only bad for our emissions targets but high energy costs are hitting hard-pressed private renters, such as young people and single parents, in their pockets. The government recently delayed measures requiring landlords to improve the energy ratings of their properties. Don’t you feel that is a backward step?
Her response - She seemed to think backtracking on the new legislation for energy standards in rented homes was the right thing to do. If landlords spent more money on properties, rents would go up. She then went on to explain how her own well-insulated flat in London was very economical to heat and seemed to agree with us when we suggested the backtracking was a short-term economic fix and in the longer term well-insulated properties would save tenants money.
Local Councils, Law, Powers and Funding
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has made tackling climate change a priority under both this and the last administrations. But like other councils it is not required by law to act on this and is finding it hard to obtain the funding or the powers it needs. What do you think you can do at Westminster to help?
Her response - She agreed that councils need more powers, funding, etc. but had found in the past that if something is made a statutory duty, councils will only do what is required by the law and little more. She said Westminster had to lead on it, encouraging and empowering councils, but gave no details how this would happen if not statutory.
Farming
You are rightly very engaged with the important farming sector in the Moorlands. But farmers are facing a whole range of challenges in making the change from a system of basic payments to one where they are rewarded for public goods, such as protecting the environment. How do you think the farming sector in the district will look in, say ten years’ time – will farmers be planting far more trees, for example?
Her response - She was vague on her vision for farming in 10 years’ time or the role of tree planting. She mentioned ELM (Environmental Land Management) schemes, was glad that farmers could be paid to preserve / replace habitats and was happy to encourage and promote this with Moorlands farmers, especially small, family-owned farms. When it was suggested that to meet our national CO2e targets we might need to reduce our meat and dairy consumption, she pushed back hard and didn’t think people could be asked to eat less meat or that products that produce CO2e should be taxed accordingly.
She said she would like to work with us more closely in future, and there were various projects we could help to promote. When asked, she said she would be happy to meet us again and for longer - a response that we definitely welcome.
Note - We asked if we could record the interview and she asked us not to. Since we didn't have time to take notes our recollection of the conversation is from memory but recorded immediately afterwards.