Winchester’s City Council’s efforts to tackle the climate emergency and drive down emissions have been given a boost with a new Cabinet Member appointment.
Cllr Lynda Murphy of St Michael Ward has now been re-appointed Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, enabling Cllr Paula Ferguson to dedicate her time to helping the district’s economic recovery in her new role of Cabinet Member for Local Economy.
Cllr Murphy was a member of cabinet in 2019, but took a break due to illness. She helped the council in declaring a climate emergency and also introduced a number of green schemes including Car Free Day.
Before becoming a councillor, Lynda Murphy also petitioned the council to bring in kerbside glass collection, which was later introduced in 2019 and is already seeing on average over 100 tonnes more glass being collected each month.
Winchester City Council Leader, Cllr Lucille Thompson said:
“I am so delighted to welcome back Cllr Murphy. Her drive and determination to tackle climate change and help us realise our goals of becoming a carbon neutral council by 2024 and district by 2030 will be invaluable.
Meeting the unforeseen challenges around supporting businesses to recover after the restrictions in place due to COVID-19 requires a dedicated focus and this strengthened Cabinet structure will enable us to continue prioritising these two complex programmes of work simultaneously.”
Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Cllr Lynda Murphy, said:
“I am so happy to be back to play my part in making the council realise its green ambitions.
“The recent flash flooding in Winchester has been an unwelcome reminder to us all about the effects of the climate emergency. Freak weather events like this will become more and more common unless we step up our efforts. I am more determined than ever to make sure we, as a council and a district, hit our targets.”