Now that's what I call addressing a council meeting

[EmmaEmerald]

Exciting title, I know.

So impressed with these residents

I have completely given up on campaigning about anything really - had some successes in 25 years but it does feel that recently, the odds are more stacked against ordinary citizens than they used to be.

This is excellent stuff. I'm glad there are people around who still have the energy to do this.

could you summarise please?

Residents have addressed the expenditure on electric vehicles, including for public transport, by explaining the related problems of pollution and child labour, and safety management. They suggested other green alternatives.
They also pointed out that a survey of 800 people isn't equivalent to consultation with a city of appx 200k residents.

They highlighted the FOI request that showed the number of deaths directly related to pollution in London in the last 20 years. (One death). This struck me because London councils are using "death by pollution" as a reason to move traffic to be higher density in particular areas.

The Colchester residents were labelled troublemakers at a previous meeting, because they questioned the green agenda.

This is well worth a listen and something I've been wondering about re the green credentials of electric cars.

I always wonder about "don't print this- to save the environment".

The number of gadgets that they encourage us to buy as well, I mean it's clearly not about the environment but it seems an impossible task to get anyone to listen. I don't know if the Council will put the rest of the meeting up online.

Police and metal detectors at the start is a real worry. But big up to all who are speaking out.

@EmmaEmerald The first councillor presenting is very articulate on the subject and seems very well researched. Clearly we do need to be improving things environmentally but the info about mining for the batteries is not good on many levels. Also she makes a valid point that I've always wondered about, that diesel cars were good until they weren't.

TheDogsMother do you mean the info about the mines is incorrect?

I'm wondering what's happening re gas boilers, was it Johnson's pet project to phase that out. I'm moving to a place which has them. So hopefully that one has fallen off the list!

Fucking hell, they need to be putting money into bike lanes and places to lock up. I had to park (park?) my bike ages away from the school because there was no place to keep my bike for pick up / drop off.

Kids should be encouraged to ride their bikes to school! that means bike bars/ shed!

high no bike parking is mad!

This is very interesting. I've always wondered why lithium is "praised" in the battery industry when it is a highly reactive and flammable element.
It is found in pegmatites (igneous rock) as is uranium and rare earth elements.
Rare Earth elements are found in technology which is probably why China is the world's greatest producer.

I thought the first person speaker was a resident not a councillor?

Apologies you are right Emma.

Sadly I don't think councillors look too deeply into these things. I have no idea what they are thinking half the time. The local MP here had to get the council to redo some street changes because it stuffed up bus routes.