LAST year four Liberal Democrats were sacked by Councillor Bob Deed, the Leader of the Council, from their position in the Cabinet, the governing body of Mid Devon District Council.

And now the purge continues, in that Cllr Elizabeth Wainwright was sacked on Monday March 1 for going against the Leader’s wishes.

Elizabeth had been spearheading the programme to achieve the target the Council has set of being carbon neutral by 2030 – this was a new portfolio for the Council, and came with no staff or finance.

She initiated a series of online "Climate Conversations" on topics including transport, energy and tree planting, and more such events are planned.

Recently she helped to appoint an officer with a specific climate change remit, and supported the Council to obtain funds to decarbonise Mid Devon’s leisure centres, and to support the implementation of the Council’s climate action plan.

Amongst other things, she was also in talks to roll out funded electric vehicle charging points across Mid Devon.

Elizabeth was elected as Green party candidate for Sandford and Creedy Ward in 2019 and has attended many parish council and other meetings to ensure she is aware of her constituents needs and wishes.

Beyond the climate work, she has been pushing for better community engagement and inclusion in the Council.

The climate change portfolio has been merged with the wider Environment portfolio, and given to Conservative Colin Slade.

This is another example of the way Councillor Deed appears to ignore the wishes of local people and is centralising power within the Council.

The Cabinet is now composed solely of Conservatives along with three Independents.

The climate change agenda is so important that it needs someone with the dynamism that Elizabeth brought to the role to carry it forward.

It also highlights the need for radical change in the governance arrangements within the Council.

Gerald Conyngham

Mid Devon Green Party