Blow to Richmond' Green Credentials

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 30th Sep 2002

The Tories were forced to admit, after being pressed by Liberal Democrats,at this week's Council meeting that Richmond Council's Ecology Officer,leaving shortly, will not be replaced.

Any funding and work will now happen haphazardly dependent upon the success of bidding for funds from outside bodies with an occasional bit of expensive outside consultancy.

It appears, however, that there is no one around to make bids.! The care of our green environment and the rich diversity of the flora and fauna, one of the joys of living in Richmond, is now under a very real threat.

This follows the deletion of all references to biodiversity in the Council's Community Plan.

The present Ecology Officer has had a key role in encouraging community environmental projects such as the very successful Friends of Ham Pond. These successes have been a credit to the Council as well as to the committed residents involved.

Any new and existing projects will clearly be at risk without Council guidance and involvement.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Brian Miller commented "Richmond residents value their open spaces and the attention that has been devoted to them over the last twenty years. This legacy is now being tossed aside as the Tories once again show their indifference to the care of the environment."

"I hope that they will think again, show some vision and take responsibility for retaining one of the many aspects that make Richmond special". Cllr. Brian Miller, Tel 8255 7390.