Labour dumps Newcastle's Green Commitment

One of the Lib Dem's most high profile achievements when running the council was the city being awarded "UK's most sustainable city" twice in a row by the independent environmental group Forum for the Future.

However, since Labour took control of the council, they have scrubbed all reference to green issues from the council's priorities. Cllr Gareth Kane, Lib Dem spokesman on the environment, said "I have called on Labour three times to reinstate this commitment but they refuse. They don't seem to understand that if it is not a priority, it will not get done."

One Labour deputy cabinet member told council that they are committed to sustainability but 'not in words' - which is simply bizarre. "Labour has inherited a golden legacy on green issues and they are squandering it" added Gareth.