Solar panel scheme cancellation set for debate

Reform UK said the solar panel scheme was not financially sustainable

Council leaders are set to be quizzed over Reform UK's decision to scrap plans for solar panels on buildings throughout Durham.

Opposition councillors are calling on county council leaders to rethink the "bonkers" decision to cancel the scheme, initially proposed for eight buildings, which they say would have saved £77,000 per year.

The Reform UK-led authority's leaders said solar panels did not make "financial sense" and they would prioritise care services over net zero projects.

Liberal Democrat, Conservative and independent councillors - who previously led the council - said an "inadequate response" to requests for information inspired them to call for a public scrutiny debate on 8 October.

Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Wilkes said: "Some of the comments by cabinet members suggested that they did not understand the decision they were making, with the deputy leader making quite bonkers statements about pigeons burying under panels.

"The people of County Durham deserve better than this nonsense."

Opposition councillors have also requested a breakdown of the potential financial impacts of pulling out of the scheme, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Wilkes is urging council leaders to rethink their decision

The recent decision comes after Reform UK voted to scrap the council's climate emergency pledge in July, which aimed to achieve net zero emissions by 2045.

Darren Grimes, deputy leader of Durham County Council, said: "The reality is simple. Their solar scheme would have loaded risk on to residents for decades, for savings that disappear the moment you factor in debt repayments.

"That's not financial sense, it's a green gimmick dressed up as free money. We have placed special needs kids over solar panel profit margins.

"Reform is being honest with residents, we won't sign off half-baked vanity projects."