Sheffield councillor says government is "asleep at the wheel" over extreme heat
A Sheffield councillor has accused the government of being “asleep at the wheel” over the heat emergency currently hitting the city and country.
Sheffield Green Party councillor Brian Holmshaw has called for action by the council and government to address the danger from extreme heat.
Councillor Holmshaw, who is chair of the council’s communities, parks and leisure policy committee, said: “National government is asleep at the wheel in the extreme heat emergency we are facing right now.
“The country is literally on fire and we need strong action by the government to address the problem.
“The dangers of extreme heat and wildfires are a threat to local wildlife, our homes and the health of local people. Acrid smoke from wildfires is affecting the lungs of our people and our wildlife.
Barbecues
“The government needs to ban the sale of instant barbecues and provide resources to local government to enforce this. The council could introduce a Public Space Protection Order banning their use but that will take time to introduce.
“Our emergency services that protect our communities and countryside deserve the support of politicians both at the local and national level. We need to map areas of high risk so emergency services are able to plan effectively for urban and rural wildfires.
“Combustible material including fly-tipping needs to be removed swiftly from council-managed woodland and open spaces.
“We need a sustained and repeated public information campaign on actions people can take to reduce the likelihood of wildfires.
“We also need to encourage the reporting of people who deliberately start fires and I am urging people to report anonymously to Fire Stoppers on 0800 169 5558 if they are aware of anyone starting fires.
Worse
“What we can’t do is ignore the issue. Climate change is happening now and getting worse as each year passes.”
The city council declared a climate emergency in February 2019. It pledged action to become a net carbon-free city by 2030 and has brought out a series of decarbonisation road maps.
Actions have included creating a Clean Air Zone for vehicles travelling around the city centre, training more than 200 councillors and officers in carbon literacy and climate awareness and prioritising buying electric vehicles in its transport fleet.