The following is a record of the WCA monthly public event held at The Bull on 3 December with Cllr Jo Blackman, a councillor for Wanstead and the Lead Councillor on the environment for the London Borough of Redbridge.
Every effort has been made to ensure that this record is as accurate and as detailed as possible. If anyone spots what they believe to be an error or omission then please let us know.
Notes from Question and answer session with Cllr Jo Blackman 3/12/ 24
(Jo Blackman kindly attended out meeting to answer our questions)
- WCA: At the Redbridge climate forum recently we were told of some amazing
projects instigated by Community Energy London including a new community
energy group for London boroughs and a new community energy task force; solar
panels could be put on community buildings (342 have been identified in
Redbridge) plus opportunities that Redbridge could take advantage of from the
Mayor’s office. There is solar for schools offering free solar panel installation.
There was a general feeling from this session that Redbridge is behind the curve all
the time, not knowing what grants, loans and other resources are available and
reluctant to apply for them when they are aware of them. - WCA: There is a clear shortage of in-house expertise and understanding of climate
related issues in LBR. Publications also suggest a lack of in-house skill in
interpreting and quantifying data. 1) What cultural changes are needed in the
council that might help it take adequate action on the climate and ecological
emergency; 2) Has there been any Carbon Literacy Project training of councillors
and officers, and is there a plan for any (or more)? (Cedric)
1.-2. Jo doesn’t agree that there’s a lack of action in Redbridge (solar energy
for schools). The following schools are taking part: -Churchfield school is a
test case and is very positive. -Woodbridge are looking at the possibility and –
Nightingale is interested> She is confident that these will go through and
encourage others from their experiences.
The GLA deputy mayor for the Environment and Energy ( London mayor’s
office) Mete Coban: says they will release funds for Solar projects in schools
and they want Redbridge to benefit as they have not done so to-date.
Redbridge applied for £2.23 million of Warm Homes Funding which will
insulate /retrofit 323 units of social housing.
The council have produced a stock condition survey : a roadmap for retro
fitting council housing so that they can decide which houses are priority and
when they can be done.
12 pilot homes in Hainault will be done initially. This is to help secure the
£2.3million.
Lucy Andrews (housing) will be asked to give a presentation at the next
climate forum.
Redbridge is well placed to receive funds as it has not had this funding before
and deprivation is high in the Borough. Trying to reassure us Jo said ‘The
housing department has some good officers.’ The council has done several
training sessions for staff on the Climate plan. she agreed there may be flaws
but they can be refined.
Solar For schools Redbridge is ahead of many boroughs apparently. we must
consider Co- benefits of climate strategies (for example, the health benefits of
reducing traffic as well as the climate benefits) - Re the Sustainable Transport Strategy : WCA: we are disappointed at the lack of
vision in the strategy. We tried to present LBR officers with some positive steps for a
sustainable transport strategy (STS), and yet SUVs or vehicle size are not considered in
the documents. For example, other cities and councils such as Haringey, and
Hammersmith and Fulham, and Lambeth have included variable taxing for different sized
vehicles and this has also brought income to the councils at little cost to the council for
example. To not consider options that other councils have found successful we feel does
not reflect well on the council’s policy development processes.
Jo talked about the pressure on staff and encouraged us to respond to the
consultation on the transport strategy before the end of the year. she
stressed that the climate agenda is still considered by the council to be a
niche agenda that does not have much support beyond Wanstead. The
transport strategy is led by the Highways team and the aim is to show
benefits to car drivers. The framing is “keep Redbridge moving”: ie. if there is
no action to get people out of their cars then congestion will bring the Borough
to a standstill. Measures are needed to get people onto public transport, bikes,
and walking : these are bike lanes and a good walking environment. The aim
is to produce something positive that can be agreed. Jo says the Highways
Department are on board. Cedric commented that this framing misses the
point of sustainable transport. Liz asked what about variable taxing of
different sized cars which would bring in revenue. With SUVs this is a
big problem even the weight of EV’s is increasing. These increases in
weight are counteracting emission gains of moving to EV’s . Jo said
controlled parking zones would be introduced first. Measuring the size or
weight of cars was less straightforward. But suggests it is added to the
consultation Q: Do speed bumps and pot holes in the borough encourage
people to get SUVs for a smoother ride?! many councils tax by
emissions why not Redbridge? Jo said the current head of parking in
Redbridge had overseen emission based variable parking charges in another
borough and she is sure that this would be considered.
- WCA: Please could you provide updates on the following
3.1 Progress on Retrofit packs
Jo‘s opinion is that the council isn’t the best place to provide this
information from. However, WCA are still of the opinion that the
council can be a source of reliable information on retrofit for the
public wishing to retrofit their own property where there is a lot of
confusion and differing, often conflicting , information with
contractors offering very different services. Ideally, we would like
to see the council publish a pack of information which sign posts
reliable sources. At best there would be an office on the High
Street with advice & samples, etc. Jo said there was no money for
this but she would see what other boroughs have done. There was a
discussion of external retrofit in conservation areas like Aldersbrook and
the Planning Office’s opposition. (this may change soon?)
3.2 The new three year Climate Action Plan review process (is it going to be another
external commission, or involve councillors and residents?) (Cedric)
Jo: This is being updated there will be a draft in February and this can
be discussed at the climate forum which maybe in February/March.
Jo: the policy development committee ( clean and Green) are
Running workshops for counsellor s with experts With the aim of
informing the draft policy. Topics have included Energy and extreme
weather, green skills and health. There was a summit in July ‘24 where
(commercial?) skills providers in Redbridge were invited and came
together to discuss opportunities and how they can be supported by the
council in trying to anticipate demand. This would be important for
things like retrofit.
The second Climate Youth Summit for secondary schools: 10 – 13
schools sent six representatives each. This time it consisted of hands-
on workshops . the RHS and Solar For schools had workshops, other
organisations ran sessions . There were topics on food waste, there
was a repair café, artwork and fashion) This really engaged the
students. The students will feedback to the Eco schools committees and
Jo hopes there will be an essay writing competition on the topic to
encourage more in-depth research by students
3.3 WCA: Biodiversity: As the GLA are legally obligated to publish and consult
on the Biodiversity Recovery Plan in 2025 are Redbridge ready to carry out their
long overdue obligation to review and upgrade the Boroughs SINCs, which one
hopes will align with the London Recovery Plan?
Jo: Apparently local nature reserve sites have been submitted Someone has
been appointed to the Conservation office post which Francis Castro held.(see
Chris ‘s comment). Jo mentioned several schemes in Redbridge which are to
make a difference, for example, the Claybury Park flooding scheme which is a
natural flood management scheme in combination with the Environment
Agency; rain Gardens have also been installed in Blake Hall Road, Nelson
Road / Total £1 million spent. Front garden rules have been amended. they
must contain 20% planting and run-off to plants on application for a drop curb.
water butts are being funded by Thames water.
Chris Gannaway (WCA) couldn’t make the meeting but has commented: Interesting
the new ecologist statement. Vision has just hired a Nature Conservation
Ranger, not an ecologist, who starts in February (a year after the last
one left- Tajinder- and 2 years after Francis left), so unless LBR has
employed an Ecologist in its own right? I would note the two roles of
Ecologist and Ranger are not the same. The last letter I sent was about a
year ago.
- Did Redbridge apply for the Warm Homes Grant for low income Homes (deadline
was 1/12/24). Can you update us on any progress in insulation of Redbridge owned
buildings as per the first climate Action plan (Kathy) Jo: YES and see above for
progress - How is the door-to-door compost collection plan going. Is it on target? (Kathy )
J: Re Waste: Redbridge spends £20 million a year processing our
Waste. It goes through mechanical and biological process, is dried, then
used for pellets to make energy from Waste. Some may end up in the
Netherlands (in answer to a WCA query) depending on which countries
demand them or will buy them. Only as asbestos is landfilled. A new
waste contract is being negotiated now for 2027 but there are lots of
different waste streams and contracts . the residual waste ( i.e. black
bags) contract is to be awarded very soon . There should be a food
waste collection by 2026. - Any news on the latest school streets consultation? Not yet
- Adopting the Plant Based Treaty could help improve the health of Redbridge
Residents and cut carbon. What do you think would be the best way to persuade
Redbridge to adopt this treaty? (In 2024, Amsterdam set a ground-breaking
example for cities worldwide by becoming the first EU capital to endorse
the Plant Based Treaty. The city is entering a covenant with major
employers, public institutions such as hospitals, community centres,
and care institutions. By shifting the city’s dietary habits towards 60%
plant-based protein by 2030 and introducing initiatives like Vegan Fridays,
Amsterdam is paving the way for healthier, more sustainable living.)
Jo commented that as this was a health issue too it could be a good one. - Advertising. WCA: In March, Sheffield City Council banned adverts for
the most polluting products, including fossil fuels, airlines and cars. In
May, Edinburgh City Council went even further by banning these, plus
any adverts for cruise holidays.
The UN Secretary-General has called for a worldwide ban, calling fossil
fuel ads “madness.” How can we persuade Redbridge to ban adverts
for the most polluting and high carbon products (including fossil fuels,
airlines, cruises and car advertising on its billboards ) ? (Kathy)
Jo: Advertising : there will be a chance to look at this as part of the
LBR’s advertising review. Also raise at climate forum. The council
already do not allow high sugar and salt foods on their advertising
boards.. Paul Morris in the council is responsible. Jo will ask him.
Wanstead Climate Action 