Latest news with #EmilyFedorowycz
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Reform UK council leader in Northants criticised on net zero
A newly elected Reform UK council leader has been criticised over his remarks about net zero this week, North Northamptonshire Council's Martin Griffiths questioned the role of local authorities in tackling climate appointed council leader on 22 May, said his party was not made up of "climate change deniers" but believed that net zero was a "global matter" that was "making everyone poorer".But the leader of the Green Party group on the council, Emily Fedorowycz, said his statements on net zero were "irresponsible" and "dangerous". Fedorowycz said there was an "enormous" economic opportunity from climate projects and there would be future costs to residents if targets were ignored."Blaming climate action for rising poverty is a deliberate distraction from the real causes: a broken energy system, years of underinvestment in insulation and public transport, and global reliance on fossil fuels." Labour MP for Kettering Rosie Wrighting also criticised the comments, writing on social media: "Constituents regularly raise concerns with me about the climate emergency and bills."Tackling net zero is vital to both issues, so I am disappointed to read these comments by the new Reform leader of [North Northamptonshire Council]."Wrighting added: "Councillor Griffiths describes [net zero] as a 'global matter', brushing it off as someone else's problem."But local councils have a role to play and I will be watching [the council's] climate approach closely." North Northamptonshire Council declared a climate emergency in 2021 and committed to becoming a carbon-neutral authority by council's targets align with the UK's national legal requirement to reach net zero emissions by 2050 or Reform administration is expected to lead the council until 2029, shaping local environmental and policy decisions during that time. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service earlier this week, Griffiths said on other areas relating to the climate and environment, he agreed with wanting to plant more trees and clean up the county's stance taken by the new leader of the council mirrors the opinions of the Reform party at the national has been contacted for further Iain Staffell of Imperial College London said that in the long term, renewables "will be bringing down overall energy bills, and specifically electricity bills, for the UK".But some analysts have said in the short term, green energy prices could rise due to the rush to secure enough renewables to meet the 2030 net zero goal. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
North Northamptonshire Council's first meeting since Reform UK win
Newly elected members at a Reform UK-led council have come together for the first time at the authority's annual Northamptonshire Council's chamber in Corby saw 65 of its 66 elected councillors attend and formally approve the new leader of the unitary local authority, as well as appoint other positions and make committee Conservatives lost control of the council as Reform UK won 39 seats in the local elections earlier this Griffiths said it was a "privilege to be chosen as leader of the council". The new political make-up of the 68-seat council is:39 Reform UK councillors13 Conservative8 Green4 Labour1 Liberal Democrat1 IndependentThere are currently two vacancies in the Higham Ferrers ward, where the election was postponed due to death of a Liberal Democrat election for those seats will take place 12 Tories had been in control of the council since the first elections for the authority in 2021, but lost 37 is now the largest opposition group and its deputy group leader David Howes said: "Hopefully we will all work together as much as we can."The Greens gained five councillors after the 1 May poll and group leader Emily Fedorowycz said: "We will not support leadership or action that is dictated by Westminster."We don't want national figureheads or parties running this council. We want it to be run by local people and represented by us in this room." Labour lost eight seats in the elections and group leader Mark Pengelly told the meeting: "We will work with everybody on the council, but we will be holding you to account where we have to, and hopefully we can see four years of improvements for all of North Northamptonshire."A new group has been formed made up of the Independent and Liberal Democrat councillors called the Communities Alliance and it is led by long-serving independent councillor Jim Hakewill, who also stood for Parliament in Kettering in last year's general election, when Labour's Rosie Wrighting won the told the meeting: "The first residents survey for the council will take place in the first few months and we will also consult on our priorities we propose in our new corporate plan." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Green Party will 'work with anyone' on council
The Green Party has celebrated a landmark performance in the 2025 local elections in a county, emerging as the third largest party on a unitary authority. The party took eight seats on North Northamptonshire Council, double that of Labour. It also picked up 19 of the 20 seats on Kettering Town Council. Emily Fedorowycz, Green Party leader on North Northamptonshire Council said: "We're very appreciative. We've always said we would work with anyone to get things done for the good of the community." What does the Town Council do? Ben Jameson was elected to represent Ise Ward in Kettering after receiving 1,612 votes [Emily Fedorowycz] Kettering Town Council serves a community of about 50,000 electors and consists of 20 councillors, elected for a term of four years. Town councillors are all elected members and they receive no financial allowances for their term in office. Town councils take responsibility for providing and maintaining local amenities such as open spaces, allotments, public clocks, village halls, footpaths and litter bins. They also provide community buildings and a wide range of facilities, from cemeteries and allotments to grants and community groups. Responding to planning applications and accessing grant funding for projects can also fall under their remit. Town councils can influence local laws and policies that address community needs, such as zoning regulations, public safety measures, and environmental policies. They also raise a precept - a form of council tax - to help fund its operation and oversee the allocation of funds for various services, ensuring taxpayers' money is spent effectively. What are the Green's policy priorities? Emily Fedorowycz and Dez Dell were both elected for Kettering North on North Northamptonshire Council [Laura Coffey/BBC] While the Greens do not have control of North Northamptonshire Council, they can propose items to the local authority. However, the party does have a majority on Kettering Town Council. Ms Fedorowycz said: "We want to act as a spark for local action - we will push for funding to empower local people and businesses, and work proactively to get more done for the town. "We want to have a positive influence on North Northants Council, especially on big issues like improving our town centre, creating opportunities for young people and, of course, getting our roads fixed. "Kettering Town Council already has money allocated to doing more for young people in Kettering, and as Greens we want to support our younger generations." How did the Greens win 19 seats? Green councillors credit grassroots engagement and voter disillusionment with traditional parties for their success. "It's been a huge team effort," said Ben Jameson, 29, who was elected to represent Ise ward in Kettering. "[Kettering was where the party has] been the most active and had the most presence. People are so fed up and disenfranchised – they voted for change, whatever that looks like." Mr Jameson, who entered politics just over a year ago, added: "We need to look at how we make people feel valued again and how we make sure they have a voice." How will they work with Reform UK? Following the local elections, Reform UK now controls North Northamptonshire Council - with 39 councillors. While the party's national policies differ significantly, Ms Fedorowycz said the Greens are prepared to work across party lines where needed. "We've always said we would work with anyone to get things done for the good of the community. Once you're elected as a councillor, you need to put the politics aside and work together for the good of the area," she said. She added: "Obviously we're not really aligned with [Reform] on a national level, but that isn't relevant locally. We want to be the experienced person in the room and guide them, making sure local people don't miss out." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Related links
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Green Party will 'work with anyone' on North Northants council
Green Party will 'work with anyone' on council 8 minutes ago Share Save James Grant BBC News, Northamptonshire Share Save Emily Fedorowycz The Green Party now have eight councillors elected to North Northamptonshire Council The Green Party has celebrated a landmark performance in the 2025 local elections in a county, emerging as the third largest party on a unitary authority. The party took eight seats on North Northamptonshire Council, double that of Labour. It also picked up 19 of the 20 seats on Kettering Town Council. Emily Fedorowycz, Green Party leader on North Northamptonshire Council said: "We're very appreciative. We've always said we would work with anyone to get things done for the good of the community." What does the Town Council do? Emily Fedorowycz Ben Jameson was elected to represent Ise Ward in Kettering after receiving 1,612 votes Kettering Town Council serves a community of about 50,000 electors and consists of 20 councillors, elected for a term of four years. Town councillors are all elected members and they receive no financial allowances for their term in office. Town councils take responsibility for providing and maintaining local amenities such as open spaces, allotments, public clocks, village halls, footpaths and litter bins. They also provide community buildings and a wide range of facilities, from cemeteries and allotments to grants and community groups. Responding to planning applications and accessing grant funding for projects can also fall under their remit. Town councils can influence local laws and policies that address community needs, such as zoning regulations, public safety measures, and environmental policies. They also raise a precept - a form of council tax - to help fund its operation and oversee the allocation of funds for various services, ensuring taxpayers' money is spent effectively. What are the Green's policy priorities? Laura Coffey/BBC Emily Fedorowycz and Dez Dell were both elected for Kettering North on North Northamptonshire Council While the Greens do not have control of North Northamptonshire Council, they can propose items to the local authority. However, the party does have a majority on Kettering Town Council. Ms Fedorowycz said: "We want to act as a spark for local action - we will push for funding to empower local people and businesses, and work proactively to get more done for the town. "We want to have a positive influence on North Northants Council, especially on big issues like improving our town centre, creating opportunities for young people and, of course, getting our roads fixed. "Kettering Town Council already has money allocated to doing more for young people in Kettering, and as Greens we want to support our younger generations." How did the Greens win 19 seats? Green councillors credit grassroots engagement and voter disillusionment with traditional parties for their success. "It's been a huge team effort," said Ben Jameson, 29, who was elected to represent Ise ward in Kettering. "[Kettering was where the party has] been the most active and had the most presence. People are so fed up and disenfranchised – they voted for change, whatever that looks like." Mr Jameson, who entered politics just over a year ago, added: "We need to look at how we make people feel valued again and how we make sure they have a voice." How will they work with Reform UK? Following the local elections, Reform UK now controls North Northamptonshire Council - with 39 councillors. While the party's national policies differ significantly, Ms Fedorowycz said the Greens are prepared to work across party lines where needed. "We've always said we would work with anyone to get things done for the good of the community. Once you're elected as a councillor, you need to put the politics aside and work together for the good of the area," she said. She added: "Obviously we're not really aligned with [Reform] on a national level, but that isn't relevant locally. We want to be the experienced person in the room and guide them, making sure local people don't miss out."
