Latest news with #MarkWilkes
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Durham Reform UK councillors reviewing net zero commitments
Durham's Reform UK councillors are reviewing current council net zero policies before making any decisions about their election campaigning, the party told voters it would scrap net zero and energy levies to save households hundreds of pounds per opposition councillor asked the new administration at a recent meeting whether it would continue the previously agreed council ambition to reduce its carbon Karen Allison said efficiencies and savings had been identified and it was also requesting the council "consider the creation of mining production, transportation, and disposal at end of life of renewable technologies". Mark Wilkes, former climate change cabinet member and Liberal Democrat councillor, praised the work of the local authority's low carbon said: "Can cabinet confirm that it is committed to continuing the amazing work of the low carbon team in cutting emissions and improving the environment across County Durham and saving millions of pounds for this council, and indeed doing so much more?"Allison, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods and environment, explained the new administration wished to make an informed decision so it had "an accurate picture" of how successful the work had been."We are currently reviewing the claims of carbon reduction within County Durham, while requesting council consider the creation of mining production, transportation, and disposal at end of life of renewable technologies," she said the party was hoping to announce a decision soon, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS)."We take the environment seriously and are already discussing projects that include forestation, protecting wildlife, and biodiversity, and also how renewable energy technology may impact our local environment, which often gets overlooked," she zero means no longer adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the year, the council - which was ran by a coalition - won an environmental award after cutting its annual carbon footprint by 50,000 tonnes over 15 years. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
04-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Work begins on County Durham mine water heating system
Work is under way to create a mine water heating system which will supply hundreds of from disused mines will eventually be used to heat houses in a new community near Seaham in County the 1,500 homes on the Seaham Garden Village development, which will be built over the next 10 years, will be heated through an ultra-low carbon district heat Mark Wilkes, Durham County Council cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, said the project will have "significant environmental benefits". Water is extracted from former coal workings to protect the groundwater aquifer which provides drinking water to households. This water is extracted and treated to remove heavy metals before being discharged out to sea. The heat in the water currently dissipates into the atmosphere but, under the new project, it will instead feed into the heat network. Miners' legacy Durham County Council, the MRA and Karbon Homes are working together on the scheme to heat 750 affordable homes at Seaham Garden Village, with Vital Energi designing, building and operating the heat mine water project has received £4.3m from the government's Heat Networks Investment Project, including £3.23m towards said the mine water will be "there for the long-term, for decades"."If you think about oil and gas, these are finite resources that are coming from overseas," he said."This is right here in County Durham. It's that legacy from all of those people who worked in the mines." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here.
BBC News
16-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Durham coastline clean-up cash for volunteers
Support for volunteers who help keep County Durham's coast clean is set to continue with funding from the local 2021, 5,175 bags of rubbish have been collected from the Heritage coastline which spans from Seaham Hall beach to Crimdon is due to the work of volunteers from schools and businesses as well as individuals and community groups, with their efforts organised by a beach care County Council has now awarded £94,000 so the post can continue for the next three years. Councillor Mark Wilkes, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, said: "We're so grateful to everyone for their efforts."Everyone who has volunteered their time is helping to protect this special environment." Emily Routledge, head of development and communications at Durham Wildlife Trust, said: "We want to ensure everyone is able to enjoy our coastline for generations to come. "To do that we need to raise awareness of how important this landscape is and make sure that we rally residents to take charge of their own environment by helping to keep it clean. "We look forward to this work continuing over the next few years." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here.
