Council puts scrapping of net-zero targets on hold

Mark Arnull said the previous administration had set "undeliverable targets"

A council's decision to scrap "unaffordable" net-zero targets has been put on hold after it faced a bid to have the ruling reviewed.

During a five-hour meeting, disrupted by protestors, West Northamptonshire Council had decided to no longer aim to offset its carbon emissions by 2030.

Leader of the Reform UK-led authority Mark Arnull claimed the previous administration "set undeliverable targets that, if attempted, would likely send the council bust".

Changes to the climate targets have now been called in by opposition councillors and will be publicly debated on 19 August.

Durham County Council, which is also run by Reform UK, became the first in England to scrap net-zero targets, hours before West Northamptonshire's decision.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the call-in will be led by Rosie Humphreys, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, who said the decision deserved "proper scrutiny".

She said: "The Climate Act requires councils to take a leadership role in reducing emissions and collaborating with stakeholders.

"By removing the targets, that really makes this collaboration difficult. The administration also asserts it's unaffordable, but has given no costings."

A cabinet meeting in which net-zero targets were discussed was briefly paused after campaigners voiced concerns

While the committee can request the council to revisit the decision and consider alternative actions, it does not have power to overrule it.

Ms Humphreys said it would appeal to the group to look into the feasibility of a cross-party group on council sustainability and "fully explore" the targets.

Reform UK previously said ridding the council of its net-zero goals would enable the authority to prioritise sustainability projects.

Leader Mr Arnull said: "The Reform UK administration are fully committed to creating a more sustainable West Northamptonshire and being responsible custodians of our local environment.

"We want to further prioritise our focus on delivering practical, high-impact projects that make a real difference to people's lives."