BASINGSTOKE climate campaigners have been given a second chance to quiz council leaders about the environment after being let down at the last minute ahead of the original meeting.

As previously reported, campaigners were left extremely disappointed after the borough council’s leader and his cabinet colleague snubbed the meeting just hours before it was due to happen on September 26.

Organised by Greener Basingstoke, the Climate and Ecological Town Hall Meeting was meant to provide an update on the borough council’s vision for carbon zero Basingstoke and plans to achieve it.

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But just hours before, council leader Simon Bound emailed the group to say he and Cllr Hayley Eachus, cabinet member for environment and climate action, would not be attending because it had “become politicised by one political party”.

The event was due to be hosted by Stacy Hart, from the Women’s Equality Party. However, Greener Basingstoke was clear that this would not have been in her political capacity.

The group’s constitution states that no leading members of political parties will be in senior positions within the group.

The event has now been rearranged to be held on November 21 at 6.30pm on Zoom.

Greener Basingstoke – a campaign group for environmental action – is concerned that the borough council has not done enough since declaring a climate emergency in 2019.

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Miranda Chubb, Greener Basingstoke chair, said: “Becoming carbon free is a massive but vital challenge that we will not meet with current levels of action, especially with the levels of development we're seeing in the borough.

“More must be done and this meeting is a chance for Basingstoke to challenge their local council on these issues. Greener Basingstoke wants to see steps taken to protect nature, establish green corridors and nature recovery networks; and to facilitate the development of a circular economy locally.”

Martin Heath, GB member, added: “Since the emergency declarations we have not seen anywhere near the level of change and action that such an emergency demands.

"BDBC must stop building poorly insulated houses and warehouses, commit to retro-fitting existing buildings, work on a sustainable transport policy and prioritise renewable energy.

“If we do not start doing this immediately it will be too late and these actions are perfectly possible with the right political will.

"We were disappointed that the councillors did not attend to hear and answer the questions sent in from the general public at the last meeting and hope they stand ready to answer them on this occasion.”

To join the meeting email info@greenerbasingstoke.org to get a ticket. Updates and further details can be found on the group’s Facebook and Twitter pages @ecobasingstoke, and you can email info@greenerbasingstoke.org with any questions.