A U-turn on lifting the ban on fracking must go ahead, councillors in Tameside will argue, in a letter to Prime Minister Liz Truss. That’s despite the Tory opposition declaring the resistance ‘pointless’.
A Labour motion was discussed at a meeting of Tameside council, which asked members to reiterate the borough’s opposition to using hydraulic fracturing – ‘fracking’ – to extract shale gas.
The decision to lift the ban on fracking, imposed in 2019, was first announced by Prime Minister Liz Truss last month as part of a broader package of measures to tackle energy prices. She also ordered a review of the UK’s plans to reduce its emissions to zero by 2050, arguing this must be delivered in a way that is “pro-business and pro-growth”.
Business and Energy Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg has confirmed that firms can now apply to the government for new licenses to drill for shale gas.
Councillor Laura Boyle, the Labour member for Droylsden East, proposed the motion at Tameside full council against the government’s change of position on fracking.
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She said: “They decided fracking was dangerous, based on and supported by evidence. Now they’re going for it.
“The government aims to move to net zero emissions by 2050, I seriously question this commitment to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels by exploring new fossil fuels – seems like a contradiction to me. Fracking will contribute to climate breakdown, it undermines the commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is incompatible with Tameside’s environmental policy.”
She added there were also concerns about the amount of water required to carry out fracking, and its risks of contaminating ground-water.
“There is an energy crisis looming, and fracking is not the answer,” Coun Boyle added.
Seconding the motion, Hyde Newton councillor Hugh Roderick said he considered the government’s change to be an ‘ill-advised and harmful policy decision’.
However, Coun Liam Billington, the Conservative member for Stalybridge South told the meeting the Tory group would be abstaining on the motion.
“Here we are in Tameside, discussing a matter already presented to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority where it was agreed, that part of the Places for Everyone document, that fracking would not be allowed in Greater Manchester,” he said.
“This is nothing more than political grandstanding from the Labour party.”
Tory group leader Doreen Dickinson added: “Having discussed it we think it’s an absolutely pointless motion.
“For the simple reason, the government have said ‘yes fracking will be allowed’ but only if you want it. Well who’s going to come forward and want it? Greater Manchester signed a form to say it’s not happening in Greater Manchester so I don’t see the point in the discussion here.”
Coun Boyle responded: “I think it’s important that we do have this motion to reiterate Tameside’s opposition to fracking which the government are trying to bring back. So we’re making our position clear.”
The motion was carried by a majority of councillors.
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