Pendle News Room

Councillor Sarah Cockburn-Price leads Pendle Council’s Climate Emergency Group.  She announced:

“We are launching the new grant scheme during Great Big Green Week which runs from 18th – 26th September.

“This event is all about encouraging communities across the UK to take action to tackle climate change.

“Pendle Council has ear-marked £25,000 over the next 12 months to help groups think globally and act locally,” she explained.

Gill Dickson, from the Council’s Localities Team, is co-ordinating the grant scheme and said:

“Schools can apply for up to £1,500 and community groups up to £1,000 for local climate initiatives.

“The climate action cash can be for things like tree planting, building raised beds for planting vegetables and installing water butts to help with watering.

“Our launch also coincides with national Recycle Week which runs from 20th to 26th September,” explained Gill.

“Step It Up” is the theme for this Recycle Week and it is designed to be part of rallying the movement in combating the climate crisis.”

We save 18 million tonnes of CO2 a year by recycling, the same environmental impact as taking 12 million cars off the road.

“We welcome grant requests for projects to increase recycling or reduce single-use plastics - such as installing a water fountain at school to re-fill bottles,” said Gill.

Community groups and schools are being urged to visit www.pendle.gov.uk/climateaction for details and the on-line application process for the Climate Action grant will open on Saturday 18th September.

Councillor Sarah Cockburn-Price added: “We are open to ideas and keen to support school and community group projects which contribute to creating a sustainable future.”

Pendle Council declared a climate emergency in July 2019 and pledged to tackle the environmental crisis, which is affecting us locally, nationally and globally.

Since then the Council has taken positive action including:

• Exceeding its target to plant 3,000 trees this year by planting 5,000 trees thanks to help from volunteers and Park Friends groups

• Changing our fleet of 44 vehicles, including bin wagons and street sweepers, with every vehicle giving off the lowest emissions possible
   
• Fitting a number of buildings with solar panels, including Nelson Town Hall,  Fleet Street depot, Wavelengths, West Craven Leisure Centre and Colne Leisure Centre.
   
• Reducing our carbon emissions by 5% every year
   
• Working with our energy suppliers to ensure they use renewable sources
   
• Encouraging staff to cycle into work, with lockers now in place for bike helmets and other cycling gear.

Councillor Cockburn-Price explained:

“Work is well underway with our new grant scheme meaning we can encourage people of all ages to come together to work towards this common goal.”

“Climate change should not be seen as someone else’s problem.

“It’s something we all have a responsibility to act on”.

Anyone who’d like to get involved in the Great Big Green Week can visit www.greatbiggreenweek.com to find out about events in Pendle.

In addition, Pendle Council’s new Green Spaces Manager, Phil Riley, is looking for people who can spare a couple of hours a week.

“There are also lots of opportunities to help out in our parks and green spaces, including tree planting and helping to improve habitats for wildlife and to increase biodiversity,” said Phil.

To find out more, call 01282 661587 or email: parks@pendle.gov.uk