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Power for People – The Community Energy Revolution

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The Problem

We are not meeting our climate change targets – the UK is way off track to meet the fourth and fifth carbon emissions budgets of the Climate Change Act. Community-scale renewable energy has huge potential to help solve this problem and benefit local economies, but it is currently blocked from doing so.

If you want to buy your electricity from local renewable sources, such as the local school or sports hall that have solar panels on their roofs, you cannot. We all buy our electricity from a utility company that sources it from anything connected to the National Grid, be it a field of solar panels in Wiltshire or a gas fired power station in Yorkshire.

Putting it the other way around – a community with local renewable generation, e.g. housing estates with solar panels or a local wind farm – cannot sell the energy they generate directly to local people, but must sell it to a utility who sells it on to customers. This is happening because becoming a supplier of energy to customers involves set-up and running costs of millions of pounds. These costs are due to things like having to grapple with the highly complex grid balancing codes and network agreements that are controlled by the largest six utilities.

The heart of the problem is disproportionate costs. It would be like you wanting to set up a business baking cupcakes in your kitchen and delivering them to people in your local area, but instead of just paying the road tax for your delivery van you had to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds to use the roads, no matter how few cupcakes you delivered. You could never start your business – this is the reality for community-scale renewable energy in the UK.

The Solution

The costs and complexity of being able to sell locally generated energy to local people need to be made proportionate to the size of the local energy co-operative’s or business’s operation. We have drafted the Local Electricity Bill which lays out a mechanism that will do this. If made law, it would give electricity generators the right to become local suppliers – i.e. sell their energy directly to local people – and make it financially viable to do so.

The Benefits

If the Local Electricity Bill became law, it would give a huge boost to community renewable energy and local economies.

  • Communities would benefit from selling local renewable energy -Significant additional value would remain within local economies, meaning more investment in things like local services and more efficient homes.
  • Communities could raise funds to build more renewable energy – Communities would have a viable business model to build new renewable energy schemes, meaning they could help ensure the UK meets its climate change targets.
  • Communities would see knock-on local economic benefits – There would be greater acceptance of the transition to 100% renewable energy, local economies would be more resilient, local skilled jobs would be created and our energy supply would be more secure due to less imports of fossil fuels.

The Campaign

To see the Local Electricity Bill made law, we need the support of around 400 MPs (which is well over half the House of Commons). So far, the Bill has gained the support of a cross-party group of 309 MPs.

We are mobilising people at constituency level to call on their MP to back the Bill. Every additional supportive MP increases the chance it will become law. We need your help with this so please sign up.

For more information, visit the Power For People website.

Road Closure – Shirley Church Road 3-5 August

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Croydon’s Highways team together with its principal contractor FM Conway, will shortly be commencing resurfacing works on Shirley Church Road.

These works are scheduled to commence on 3rd August 2022 – 5th August 2022 and are due to be carried out between 08.00 – 17:00. Traffic management will consist of a road closure.

Gully cleaning will take place on 6th August 2022 with parking suspension only.

Due to the location and nature of these works, some disruption will inevitably occur.

If you need vehicular access during the above period it may be advisable to find an alternative route and allow additional time for your journey.

Croydon’s Highways team wishes to apologize in advance and welcomes your co-operation to ensure the work is executed safely and efficiently.

Every effort will be made to minimise the inconvenience that may be caused during the works.

South London Waste Plan 2022 to 2037 Consultation

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The South London Waste Plan (adopted on 30 January 2012), set out the spatial issues and objectives to be met in waste management for the next 10 years up to this year (2022). It is a joint development plan document (DPD) and covers the geographical area in the London Borough of Croydon, the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, the London Borough of Merton and the London Borough of Sutton. It contains policies to:

  • guide the determination of planning applications for waste facilities
  • identify existing waste sites to be safeguarded
  • identify areas where waste facility development may be suitable

It’s also part of the development plan for Croydon’s local plan programme. It is in conformity with the policies in the Croydon Local Plan 2018 and should be read alongside it.

Revised South London Waste Plan

The London Boroughs of Croydon, Kingston, Merton and Sutton have jointly prepared a new draft South London waste plan. This sets out the partner boroughs’ long-term vision, spatial strategy and planning policies for the sustainable management of waste over the next 15 year period.

The draft South London waste plan 2020 was submitted to the Secretary of State for examination on 19 January 2021, in accordance with Regulation 22 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

Read the draft South London waste plan (Sutton council website) for details about the examination and to view the examination library.

Main Modifications

The Main Modifications consultation will run for seven weeks between Thursday 14 July 2022 and 5pm Friday 2 September 2022. The amendments are set out in a “Main Modifications Schedule.” This document, along with a Sustainability Appraisal of the Main Modifications, can be found at www.sutton.gov.uk/wasteplan or in local libraries.

Representations made should:

Clearly distinguish which modification number is being commented on.
Base comments on the Government’s test of soundness: Is the modification positively prepared? Is the modification justified (based on evidence)? Is the modification effective (deliverable)? Is the modification consistent with national planning policy?

Representations are being accepted via Sutton Council:
• By email to planningpolicy@sutton.gov.uk or
• Sending a letter to: Policy, London Borough of Sutton, Civic Centre, St Nicholas Way, Sutton SM1 1EA

You can view the consultation material at South London Waste Plan | Croydon Council

If you have any queries relating to the South London Waste Plan please contact the Spatial Planning service at ldf@croydon.gov.uk.

London Fire Brigade – Grass Fires in Croydon

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Firefighters have tackled two simultaneous grass fires in Croydon during today’s (19 July) record-breaking heatwave.

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters dealt with a fire on Oaks Road in Croydon. One hectare of woodland was alight. The Brigade was called at 12:07 and the fire was under control by 14:21. Fire crews from Addington, Biggin Hill, Wallington, Croydon and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.

Another four fire engines also dealt with a grass fire on Chapel View in South Croydon, where around one hectare of woodland and undergrowth was damaged by fire. The Brigade was called at 12:20 and the fire was under control by 14:30. Fire crews from Purley, Plumstead, Greenwich and Lambeth fire stations attended the scene.

There were no reports of any injuries.

The London Fire Brigade is under immense pressure as they battle several various fires across the capital. They are working incredibly hard in very challenging conditions.

The London Fire Brigade are strongly urging people NOT to have barbeques or bonfires today.

  • DON’T have BBQ’s in Parks or Open Spaces.
  • DON’T leave broken bottles or glass on the ground.
  • Dispose of cigarettes safely.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “The recent hot, dry weather has made the ground extremely dry, which unfortunately means grassland and parks will burn quickly when exposed to even the smallest of sparks.

“Common causes of grass fires include carelessly discarded cigarettes or matches as well as rubbish left lying around such as glass bottles, which can start flames by magnifying the sun’s rays.

“Every one of us can help reduce the risk of fire and keep our communities clean, make sure rubbish is safely thrown away and cigarettes are always properly disposed of.

“If you see a grass fire, don’t attempt to put it out yourself as grass fires can travel very quickly and change direction without warning.

“If you see signs of smouldering grass then please dial 999 and let us know where the fire is.”

For more information, see the London Fire Brigade Website: https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2022/july/grass-fires-croydon/

For the latest news, check out the London Fire Brigade on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LondonFire

Heatwave Warning – Monday 18 July and Tuesday 19 July

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The Met Office has issued a red warning of extreme heat for Monday and Tuesday – the highest level – which covers an area including London, Manchester and York.

People have been asked to look out for vulnerable relatives and neighbours who may be suffering in the heat.

Met Office and Department of Health Advice:

  • Stay out of the sun.
  • Keep your home cool.
  • Think about adjusting your plans for the warning period.
  • If you do have to go out, wear a hat and sunscreen, keep in the shade as much as possible and carry water.
  • Don’t leave people or animals in hot cars and keep a particular lookout for your family and neighbours, especially vulnerable people.

Be on the Alert for signs of Dehydration and Heat Exhaustion

The signs of heat exhaustion include:

  • a headache
  • dizziness and confusion
  • loss of appetite and feeling sick
  • excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin
  • cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
  • fast breathing or pulse
  • a high temperature of 38C or above
  • being very thirsty

The symptoms are often the same in adults and children, although children may become floppy and sleepy.

If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion, they need to be cooled down.

If someone has heat exhaustion, follow these 4 steps:

  1. Move them to a cool place.
  2. Get them to lie down and raise their feet slightly.
  3. Get them to drink plenty of water. Sports or rehydration drinks are OK.
  4. Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs around the armpits or neck are good, too.

Stay with them until they’re better.

They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.

How you can reduce the risk of dehydration

  • Drink fluids when you feel any dehydration symptoms.
  • If you find it hard to drink because you feel sick or have been sick, start with small sips and then gradually drink more.
  • You can use a spoon to make it easier for your child to swallow the fluids.
  • You should drink enough during the day so your pee is a pale clear colour.
  • Drink when there’s a higher risk of dehydrating. For example, if you’re vomiting, sweating or you have diarrhoea.

To help prevent heat exhaustion or heatstroke:

  • drink plenty of cold drinks, especially when exercising
  • take cool baths or showers
  • wear light-coloured, loose clothing
  • sprinkle water over skin or clothes
  • avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm
  • avoid excess alcohol
  • avoid extreme exercise

This will also prevent dehydration and help your body keep itself cool.

Keep an eye on children, the elderly and people with long-term health conditions (like diabetes or heart problems) because they’re more at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.