Neil Sandison’s green ranger scheme gets the amber light

Last night, 9 December 2014, at the Rugby Council meeting Cllr Neil Sandison (Lib Dem, Eastlands) made a passionate appeal for the Council to unite behind his green ranger proposal - see http://rugbylibdems.org.uk/en/article/2014/973741/rugby-needs-green-rangers-says-cllr-neil-sandison .

"All the parties' economic spokespeople, George Osborne, Danny Alexander and Ed Balls predict that public spending will continue to be squeezed" he said "How then can we protect and enhance our green spaces?". Cllr Sandison went on to say that a number of local authorities were involving volunteers in this work through green ranger schemes. Among the examples he cited were Brighton & Hove, Sheffield and Wycombe District Council. He particularly praised the Chiltern Rangers social enterprise set up by Wycombe District Council.

He said that a Rugby Green Rangers scheme could draw strength from three sources. First individual residents would volunteer. "We saw with the Diamond Jubilee Wood that when individuals can see a purpose to their volunteering they will come forward" he said. Secondly there would be corporate sponsorship as companies looked to demonstrate their corporate responsibility. Thirdly established organisations such as the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust would provide advice and guidance.

No one spoke against Cllr Sandison's proposal and it was seconded by Cllr Bill Lewis (Lib Dem, Rokeby & Overslade) before being referred to a Council committee. The question now is whether Cllr Sandison's proposal will survive scrutiny by the committee and become part of the Council's strategy.

Links

Wycombe District Council's Chiltern Rangers http://www.chilternrangers.co.uk/about-us .