Surrey County Council: Funding boost saves climate change scheme 

Funding boost saves county’s net zero plans45 minutes agoEmily DaltonLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceGetty ImagesFunding for Surrey County Council’s climate change programme has been reinstated after it received £1.5m more in government grants than expected.The Greener Future’s scheme aims to reduce carbon emissions and make the county net zero by 2050.Budget details had initially proposed to reduce £0.5m from the Greener Future’s budget as the county council sought to cut £66.4m to balance its books for 2025/26.At a full council meeting on Tuesday, the recommendation was reversed after an amendment put forward by the Residents’ Association Independents and the Green Party, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.Councillor Jonathan Essex, Green Party member of Redhill East, who initiated the amendment, said he was “delighted” about this move. “Now is the time to strengthen and extend, not water down, climate action across Surrey,” he said. “Leadership by local councils, including here in Surrey, is vital to ensure that the health of the economy is defined by community well-being and sustainable living, not by growth at all costs.”Money reinvested into the Greener Futures team will be used to develop and implement conservation initiatives including flood defences, heat avoidance, and programmes to improve household energy efficiency.It also includes developing finance opportunities like natural capital and organising health initiatives.Residents’ Association and Independent group leader Catherine Powell, of Farnham North ward, said in the meeting her party will safeguard the “vital work on developing and embedding climate adaptation”.”Younger residents want a long-term focus which I don’t believe this budget fully supports,” she added.Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.More on this storyResidents urged to back local school projectsSchools awarded funding for green projectsNew scheme helps small businesses go greenerRelated linksSurrey County CouncilSurrey County Council