500th solar panel installed on council home in Ipswich

Ipswich Borough Council has this week installed its 500^th solar panel as part of its commitment to providing its residents with sustainable energy solutions.

 

Installed on a home in Maple Close, the news demonstrates the Council’s ongoing effort to use more renewable energy in the town, using local firms for the scaffolding and panel installation.

 

This initiative is part of Ipswich Borough Council's dedication to combat climate change, supporting carbon neutral ambitions, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future for residents, whilst helping to reduce energy bills.

 

By reaching the 500 milestone, this shows the great strides forward being taken by the Council, harnessing the power of renewable resources on its housing stock in Ipswich.

 

Solar power offers numerous benefits, including decreased dependence on fossil fuels, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and cost-effective energy solutions for community benefit.

My week ahead, 9 - 14 November 2015

Monday 9 November, 4pm – Culture Portfolio meeting

6pm – Labour Group campaigning

Tuesday 10 November, 5.30pm – Early Warning Group

Wednesday 11 November, 11am – Armistice Day Service, Ipswich Cemetery

Thursday 12 November, 6pm – North East Ipswich Partnership Group meeting

7pm – North East Ipswich Area Committee, St John’s Church – Cauldwell Hall Rd

Saturday 14 November, 10am – Labour campaigning in South East Ipswich

Autumn now in full swing as so is our Labour campaigning, we are currently informing residents that we have had to put our hold on a proposal that would have saved most Ipswich residents money. Remember up to 2010 when Mr Cameron pretended to lead a new greener Tory Party, that seems so long ago now and as well as the concern we should have for the planet the latest Tory policy change is hurting Ipswich residents in their pockets.

Labour run Ipswich Borough Council was all set to install solar panels on 2,000 Ipswich Council houses, then the Tories pulled the plug on the scheme by slashing the benefits which would have been gained from the feed-in tariffs.

The benefits would have been;

1.         A saving for tenants on their electric bills

2.         An income to council and. Therefore a saving to ALL Council tax payers

3.         Reduction in carbon emissions – good for the environment

4.         A boost for jobs in Ipswich

So the Tory policy change is a blow to tenants, all Ipswich Council tax payers and possibly the loss of up to 140 jobs in Ipswich.

Ben Gummer our Tory MP supports the Government change in policy and no surprise so does the Ipswich Tory leader, Nadia Cenci – actually it is less of a surprise that Cllr Cenci supports the removal of subsidies to the solar panel industry and she could be described as a climate change denier – then again she also questions if there is any real poverty in the UK! – Out of touch?

My week ahead, 12 - 17 October 2015

Monday 12 October, 4pm – Culture Portfolio meeting

6pm – Labour campaigning 

Tuesday 13 October, 5pm – Early Warning Group

Wednesday 14 October, 5pm – Housing Working Group

Saturday 17 October, 10am – Labour campaigning in East Ipswich

My first meeting as a substitute of the Housing Working Group this week, I have a big interest in housing – and know we have a major issue with the lack of housing in this country. Of course the Tories and Mr Cameron are going to solve it! Starter homes for £250,000!! The only people happy about that will be the house builders and developers who will make even more money, but who can afford quarter of a million for a starter home? My two daughters are both trying to get on the housing ladder , my oldest has a house in Ipswich with a mortgage but my youngest who is a teacher in London struggles just to pay the rent on a one bedroom flat – and she is a lucky one as she has a job.

The Tories just don’t understand the issues that concern residents – we were hoping to help over 2,000 families in Ipswich with their fuel bills by installing solar panels on their council homes (and do our bit to help save the planet) but the Tories pulled the rug from underneath us with the cuts to the feed in tariffs.  More concerning was that Ben Gummer and Tory leader Nadia Cenci both agreed with the Government decision that has seen these residents lose the chance to get solar panels.

With his re-election Mr Gummer seems to have become even more distant from his constituents, we cant all afford two homes – one in London and one in Ipswich (if he has a home in Ipswich?) subsidised by the taxpayer. Those solar panels could have helped residents with their fuel bills and made life a bit easier for them. People are struggling and any help we can give them we should. Bus as the Ipswich Tory leader indicated this weekend that she does not believe there is any poverty in the UK it is no surprise that they are not bothered about helping others.