| Cambridge City Council | |
|---|---|
| Polling date: | 2nd May 2019 |
| Ward: | West Chesterton |
| Candidates (by surname): | Michael HARFORD (Conservative Party) Shayne MITCHELL (Green Party) Alex SKINNER (Labour Party) Damien TUNNACLIFFE (Liberal Democrat) |
Question 1
Do you agree that elected officials should now be responding to climate change as an emergency? Please answer yes or no. If ‘yes’, what do you mean by this? If ‘no’, why not?
Michael HARFORD (Conservative Party) This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Shayne MITCHELL (Green Party) This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Alex SKINNER (Labour Party) Yes. Everyone should be doing what they can to stop climate change. Elected officials have an especially important duty to respond to the emergency by reducing the carbon footprint of their own organisation, enabling and encouraging people in their area to reduce their carbon footprint and planning ahead to cope with the effects of climate change.
Damien TUNNACLIFFE (Liberal Democrat) This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Question 2
Do you support the setting of a net zero carbon target for the city of Cambridge? If ‘Yes’ when do you think we should be aiming for Cambridge to be net zero carbon? If ‘no’, why not?
Michael HARFORD (Conservative Party) This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Shayne MITCHELL (Green Party) This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Alex SKINNER (Labour Party) Yes I support a net zero carbon target for Cambridge.
The current target is 2050 and I support the city council's actions to plan for how to achieve a zero-carbon city by 2030. Unfortunately getting to net-zero carbon will require new powers and funding from central government as well as the cooperation of the County Council and Combined Authority. I know this is frustrating but we can't let the government off the hook and pretend the city council can do this on its own. If I am elected I will continue to campaign on providing an actually useful public transport network, more cycling infrastructure and whatever else I can do to try to stop this emergency.
Damien TUNNACLIFFE (Liberal Democrat) This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Question 3
Cambridge City Council is a central organisation in Cambridge. What do you think its role is in local leadership in relation to climate action? What specific additional actions in relation to climate change do you support the City Council doing in the coming 12 months?
Michael HARFORD (Conservative Party) This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Shayne MITCHELL (Green Party) This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Alex SKINNER (Labour Party) The city council is a local leader in the city. It leads by example with its own actions and by working with other organisations in Cambridge. The council's campaign for the real living wage is a shining example of this in practice. The council also has a role in calling on action from government to give it the powers and funding it needs, for example the Charter for Cleaner Air.
In the next 12 months I support the council continuing to reduce emissions from its own operations, for example finishing electrifying its vehicle fleet and also using its influence to get businesses and residents to sign up to the Cambridge Climate Change Charter.
Damien TUNNACLIFFE (Liberal Democrat) This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Question 4
Green spaces and trees remove carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the atmosphere, provide shade, help reduce flooding and often contribute to a feeling of well being. Would you support a more ambitious tree planting programme in Cambridge city? Also, suggestions have been made recently to create new areas of woodland around Cambridge. Would you support ambitious tree planting programmes around Cambridge city?
Michael HARFORD (Conservative Party) This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Shayne MITCHELL (Green Party) This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Alex SKINNER (Labour Party) The Labour group's tree planting scheme which is currently being worked on by council involves planting seven thousand new trees across Cambridge. I am already working with the council on putting in new trees in Hawthorn Way and Chestnut Grove and welcome any suggestions on where more can be put in West Chesterton. On a larger scale I've also been involved in the designs for Milton Road which trees and green spaces make a vital part of and my plans for Chesterton road will involve a substantial increase in greenery. I support the planting of new areas of woodlands.
Damien TUNNACLIFFE (Liberal Democrat) This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Question 5
Finally, do you know the size of your own Carbon Footprint? Can you identify one thing you’d like to change but haven’t yet managed to move your own carbon footprint towards zero carbon?
Michael HARFORD (Conservative Party) This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Shayne MITCHELL (Green Party) This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Alex SKINNER (Labour Party) I do know my own carbon footprint. Although it is lower than the UK average (mostly because I don't drive) it is still far from low enough. I have already cut out flying which leaves meat eating as the one thing that I most need to change in my personal life. I've cut down considerably but complete vegetarianism is still a challenge.
Damien TUNNACLIFFE (Liberal Democrat) This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire