Essex Council Spaffs £55,000 on ‘Climate Tsar’
UK DOGE has been keeping tabs on councils bumping up taxes while splashing the cash on questionable pet projects. Essex County Council – which raised council tax by 3.75% this year – is no exception…
The council also employs a “Climate Tsar” – Peter Schwier – on a comfortable £55,127 allowance. He oversees efforts to “encourage action to mitigate climate change” within staff teams and push the council “towards becoming carbon neutral as soon as possible”. Supporting this eco remit, the council has allocated £293,000 for its “Environment Strategy” and a further £443,000 for “Green Infrastructure”. For £55,127, you could:
- Fill 765 potholes.
- Buy 3,062 24-hour Army ration packs.
- Hire three teaching assistants.
The council taxpayer may have a view on which should be prioritised. UK DOGE recommends costs are cut here…
