Last week, the cabinet member for finance, Conservative councillor Jason Cummings, pictured left, stood up in the Town Hall Chamber and explained that the council had failed to spend £3.9m of carbon offset grants in nine years because… well… they couldn’t be arsed. Cummings, and the council, have far more important things to deal with, apparently
Here’s the text in full of his written answer to a question about why the council had failed to use this “free money” more quickly:
Croydon has a plan… and a platform, and pathways, a group and a forum. Just little in the way of discernible action
“The climate action team has enabled the develop-ment of the climate action plan which was adopted in June cabinet of this year and is working towards having robust data in place to support impactful climate action. The council has made substantial progress and published the council’s annual carbon report in April of this year.
“The council has made notable progress on carbon reduction, using the fund in supporting over 2,300 vulnerable households through energy grants, planting over 1,000 trees, and expanding naturalised green spaces. It has also implemented energy-saving measures like streetlight dimming, developed chalk flowerbeds, and completed the first phase of the Local Area Energy Plan and has begun reporting of its emissions and building partnerships with the education sector.
“The residual funds are available to be awarded in accordance with the parent Section 106 agreement to interventions which will mitigate against carbon emissions.
“We are working towards a joined-up approach to climate action, led by the council’s climate action team. Cabinet approved Croydon’s climate action plan in June 2025, which is establishing the necessary baselines and data to enable us to build on the progress so far.
“The council is committed to a data-driven approach to ensure that investments deliver both cost savings and measurable carbon reductions. Currently, we are undertaking climate risk assessments and progressing with the Local Area Energy Plan, both of which will define strategic pathways for future carbon reduction and climate adaptation.
“Looking ahead, we are confident that future spending will be more targeted and effective.
“Some of these projects that the team are already working on are – Local Area Energy Plan Phase 2, Exploring how to build Community Energy Groups, and Finalising the Climate Risk Assessment, which will lead to exploring climate adaptation measures.
“These initiatives will not only cut emissions and support climate adaptation but also contribute to making Croydon a more resilient and sustainable borough. We are also committed to transparency and collective action. To strengthen coordination and with proactive communication, we are well advanced in setting up both an internal Climate Group and an external Climate Forum.
“These platforms will support cross-departmental alignment and facilitate regular partner engagement by sharing updates on projects and investments, where there will be opportunities for shaping climate action and investment.”
So that’s all clear then…
Read more: Storm rages at Town Hall over unspent £4m climate funding
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Good. Of all the things the Council has to sort out, this is definitely not the highest priority.
I don’t think it’s the highest priority either given the impact it would have in real terms and the other challenges the council faces. But not bothering to spend the significant amount of money allocated just shows laziness and is right to be highlighted.
Climate change is causing enormous and increasing damage around the world, not just to every living thing but also (for the Trumpian financial fascists out there), to global economies. Treating it as not a priority is lunacy.
But if “it is not top of our priority list right now”, as the Tory apologist for inaction, Councillor Cummings put it, what is?
Fixing the finances? Redeveloping the decaying town centre? Cutting crime? No.
The Tories’ overwhelming priority is to win the council and Mayoral elections next May. They desperately want to cling onto power and keep paying themselves with our money while the commissioners and the few remaining council staff do the real work
I think with what I’m always seeing on this site, and through the Mayor of Croydon’s work… the highest priorities for me are:
– Balancing the books
– Protecting vulnerable people
– Having quality social housing for Council tenants
– Regenerating our Town Centre
– Investing in our roads and parks
When it comes to that allocated money. He said it was going to be spent – so that’s good. But I wouldn’t prioritise that over other things.
This money has been allocated for a specific purpose, and cannot be spent on other areas, or “priorities”.
What Cummings was admitting is that after years of staff cuts and millions spent on consultants, they don’t have enough employees to do this work and deliver other services.