Bath and North East Somerset Council debates energy policy and dental access

The Green Party at Bath and North East Somerset Council has proposed a motion criticizing the UK Government’s continued funding of nuclear energy over renewable alternatives. The motion, proposed by Councillor Joanna Wright, argues that nuclear energy is not a clean or safe technology and suggests that the assumption of its necessity for baseload power is no longer valid. The council is calling on the government to review approvals for projects like Sizewell C, increase investment in renewables, and amend national planning policies regarding solar panels and wind turbines.

Separately, Councillor Joanna Wright has faced accusations from Liberal Democrat colleagues regarding her use of political status. During a council debate on dental services, Wright stated that after being unable to see an NHS dentist for two years due to COVID-19, she declared her status as a councillor, after which she and her family were reinstated on the dentist’s roll. While Wright maintains she was highlighting systemic unfairness in the NHS, critics have accused her of using her position to jump the queue.