Net-zero rollback defended by council leader

A council leader has defended the decision to cut net-zero policies following the record breaking heatwaves in the UK.

Jonathan Gullis, leader of Reform UK-controlled Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, in Staffordshire, said the council had saved millions by rolling back several environmentally focused policies.

They included rescinding the climate emergency declaration it made in 2019 and cancelling its 2030 carbon net-zero target.

The former MP's comments came as he faced a number of questions about issues in the borough during BBC Radio Stoke's Hot Seat on Wednesday.

The authority announced it was withdrawing a number of the policies earlier this year, with Gullis describing some as "political virtue signalling" and "the worst kind of groupthink".

He said £11m had been saved as a result of cutting what he described as "net-zero nonsense" introduced under the Conservatives.

The council leader was questioned in the wake of a record-breaking summer in the UK, with five widespread heatwaves declared so far in 2026.

Gullis said he or Reform as whole did not deny climate change, but the UK was "responsible for 1% of global emissions" and other countries needed to take "drastic action".

"As a borough council, we have a limited amount of power, resource and finance," he said.

Earlier this year, the council announced it was withdrawing from the Local Government Association (LGA).

It said cancelling the authority's membership would save up to £17,200 a year in fees and expenses, less than 0.1% of the council's £20m annual revenue budget.

"We've given almost 11 months' notice," Gullis said. "From 1 April 2027, I will not be sending any cash to the LGA.

"If they want it, they can come and grab it out of my dead hands."

Last month, borough councillor Christine Duffy confirmed she was stepping down from her role as the representative for the Town ward, citing her health and wellbeing.

It came after her first attempt was unsuccessful when she submitted her resignation letter to the wrong council.

Gullis said he was "very sad" to see the Reform councillor resign, adding that she was on the receiving end of a "torrent of abuse" which was "totally unfair".

He said: "It had a huge impact on her personal wellbeing so she decided, not just for her but her family's sake, that she would step down."

The council leader was also quizzed on the issue of crime in Kidsgrove after 193 incidents were reported in June.

In response, he said there were more people making reports with police and he was trying to bring in a public space protection order (PSPO), which gives councils more powers to tackle antisocial behaviour.

But he said there was a threshold that had to be met before a PSPO could be put in place.

"I'm banging my head against a brick wall saying I just want it done," Gullis added.

He urged residents to keep reporting incidents to help "take back control of our town from the louts and the layabouts".

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