Hull council makes ‘first class mess’ of its green credentials

Hull Council has employed global distribution company TNT to run its postal services, a deal that sees its mail being driven to Leeds to be franked before it is transferred to Royal Mail for delivery in Hull.

The agreement is saving about £100,000 a year on the Liberal Democrat-led council’s £1m annual postal costs, which it says is vital during a period of savage public spending cuts.

But environmental campaigners and the opposition Labour group claim it makes a mockery of the authority’s green credentials.

The council has signed up to a range of initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint, and has pledged to cut carbon emissions to “zero” by 2050.

Labour group leader Coun Steve Brady said: “It may be that after six months they will make a new deal with someone from Birmingham. I don’t know what message that sends out to the green brigade. They certainly haven’t heard of the simple system used by Postman Pat.”

Council leader Carl Minns reacted angrily when told of Labour’s attack. “Quite frankly, in the current climate if it saves £100,000 a year they can send it to Mars,” he said.

“We are talking about four teachers, five youth workers, or four anti-social behaviour officers here. If the Labour Party in this city really wants to complain that the council agreed a deal that saves £100,000 in postal bills in this financial climate they need their heads looking at.”

Friends of the Earth campaigner for Yorkshire and the Humber, Simon Bowens, said: “It seems complete and utter madness. Yes, local authorities are facing funding cuts but the economic circumstances will only worsen if we don’t tackle climate change now.”

Comment: Page 10.