THE GREENEST CITY IN BRITAIN

Manchester’s Labour Council has worked hard over the last 10 years to create neighbourhoods of choice which are “Cleaner, Greener and Safer”.  In our successful and attractive city, residents are choosing to put down roots, and the population is growing as increasing numbers of people come here to work or study.  Manchester’s Labour Council is committed to undoing the historical legacy of “environmental exclusion” in which people living in the most deprived neighbourhoods have also experienced the poorest environmental quality. 

Manchester Labour has now embarked on an ambitious project which over time, we believe, will result in Manchester being able to justify the title ‘Britain’s Greenest City’.  The Council, working with Manchester’s residents, businesses, schools and colleges, trade unions, environmental campaigners and the media, has set out its vision of “The Greenest City” using the following indicators:

• Energy use and CO2 emissions
• Air quality
• Waste – reused, recycled, reclaimed
• Sustainable development
• Water quality
• Biodiversity
• Contaminated land

Manchester’s Labour Council will lead by example. It is currently working to integrate Green City objectives, targets and indicators into all Council activities and procurement. Manchester’s Building Schools for the Future programme will create sustainable schools to provide a practical example for our children.

During 2008 we will see the construction of an iconic 120m. wind turbine at Sportcity. Builders and developers are now required to meet the most demanding sustainability requirements if they want to build in Manchester and a huge construction programme of the most environmentally-advanced waste facilities, compared with anywhere in the world, is due to start this year. 

Manchester’s Labour Council has recently approved its Principles for Tackling Climate Change in Manchester and in 2008, Manchester’s Labour Council and its partners will further develop a Climate Change Strategy for the city which will meet the targets in the Government’s Climate Change Billas we have agreed by joining the Low Carbon Cities Programme. The strategy will include a local Action Plan to reduce Manchester’s greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt the city for the effects of unavoidable climate change over the next century. Manchester Labour believes that the development of a low carbon economy and a strong Environmental Technologies and Services sector, will future-proof Manchester’s growth and ensure our future competitive advantage in world markets.

Manchester Labour is committed to an energy strategy that is both environmentally sustainable and fuel efficient.  Fuel poverty is addressed by the Labour Council’s Affordable Warmth Strategy and is being developed through its Healthy Safe & Warm Homes Strategy.  The Eco-house in Miles Platting demonstrates how an ordinary terraced house can be made energy efficient.  

Manchester’s Energy Strategy identified improving energy efficiency as being the most cost-effective method of reducing energy consumption and the encouragement of localised or “de-centralised” renewable energy generation as a priority. Manchester’s Labour Council responded to the recent Government consultations that it does not support the development of a new generation of nuclear power stations.

Environmental teams remove dumped rubbish very quickly and we also ensure that abandoned and untaxed cars are removed from our streets within 24 hours.

We will improve the quality of open space to standards determined in consultation with communities. Cemeteries & crematoria have been reviewed to give improved service and open green spaces. Manchester’s Labour Council will use its legal powers to the full to tackle “envirocrimes” such as flytipping, litter and dog fouling, and will continue to work with the police to seize illegal cars and motorbikes.

Improving Manchester’s visual environment, including its street scene, is an important priority.  Several years ago the Council introduced area-based Street Environment Managers and Clean Teams.  Over the next two years their work will be reinforced by further investment in the street scene and public realm to improve cleansing efficiencies, by the use of new technology, testing different ways of working, enhanced street washing, local centre cleaning staff, public information systems on cleaning schedules and increased sustainable enforcement.
Manchester’s Labour Council will continue to invest in reconstructing and resurfacing pavements as we continue our success of recent years in further reducing the number and cost of accident trip claims.

An additional programme of road resurfacing and footpath works will also be carried out as part of the Local Transport Plan
As part of Manchester’s 25 year street lighting improvement initiative, we are entering the final phase of the replacement of our 40,000 street lighting columns.  Better lighting and quicker maintenance response will contribute to Manchester Labour’s commitment to reduce crime and accidents.

Reducing and recycling waste is vital if we are to achieve tough new Government targets to divert waste from landfill and consequently reduce the emission of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.  The Labour Council will continue to extend kerbside recycling services and is currently undertaking a citywide consultation asking residents and businesses how the City Council can help them reduce, reuse and recycle. Manchester Labour is committed to providing the recycling and composting services necessary to reach the local targets of 33% by 2010 and at least 50% by 2020.

A Green City needs good transport and safer roads.  The Labour Council will continue to promote Safer Routes to Schools and to implement 20 mph zones around all schools.  The significant reduction in killed and seriously injured on our roads and child and pedestrian casualties shows that our traffic management measures are having a positive effect. Manchester Labour will ensure that the Labour Council extends the programme of Green Travel Plans for schools, businesses and Council employees and continues to fund measures to encourage walking and cycling including the expansion of the cycle lane network.

Greater Manchester councils are bidding into the Government’s Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) for £3 billion investment in transport infrastructure to support an integrated transport strategy for the City and the conurbation, with Metrolink Big Bang at the heart of the strategy. 
As part of this “Transport Revolution for Greater Manchester”, Manchester Labour is continuing to press Government for more control over the bus services so that we can improve services and we expect the forthcoming Local Transport Bill to make this ambition possible. In order to control congestion in the future and to avoid gridlock as more jobs come to the city, as well as reducing carbon emissions, part of the TIF bid includes congestion charging proposals, but these would only be implemented when alternative high quality pubic transport is in place.