"Greener" with the Lib Dems

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 15th May 2009

Liberal Democrats pride themselves on their "green" credentials and the Chesterfield Liberal Democrats are no different. Since taking over the previously Labour run Chesterfield Borough Council in 2003 they have worked towards making Chesterfield "Greener".

Council Leader Ray Russell has spearheaded the campaign to make Chesterfield a cleaner, greener, safer town. Ray said "We are very proud of what we have achieved so far in Chesterfield. We have introduced renewable energy in to many of our public buildings. We have installed photo-voltaic panels on Queens Park Leisure Centre and the Coach station. In the Staveley Healthy Living Centre there is a combined heat and power system as well as Solar Panels on the roof."

"We are trying to lead by example and show the people of Chesterfield and Staveley that we are serious about Climate Change. We are doing our best to install CO2 reducing measures in as many of our buildings as possible. We are also pressing private developments to do the same."

Lib Dem run Chesterfield Borough Council is among one of only a handful of Councils in the country that are recognised as managing all services in sustainable way. They have also been recognised by the Audit Commission as a Council of notable practice for managing their buildings in a way that is environmentally sound.

Cllr Ray Russell said "We have achieved a lot in six years, but there is always more that can be done. I want to change the Labour run County Council so that it becomes Green too."