Andy's bright spark plan

Hi Jules - and many thanks

You wrote, "If you know of a comprehensive view of the CA revenue and capital budgets and work programmes, please share a doc or a link so our team can go into meetings well prepared."

Andy's bright spark plan on splashing out billions on all the wrong things to bring fuel poverty to an even wider circle of people is here:

https://www.andystreet.org.uk/news/andy-street-unveils-his-ps15-billion-twenty-year-plan-metro-and-rail-west-midlands

Fuel poverty to more people because, like Liz Truss whom he voted for, Andy also wants our finite reserves of resources more quickly exhausted by BIG spending on everything wealth flaunting, greedy and over indulgent.  In other words, he (no longer Liz) is busily bankrupting the country so that we'll have to be bailed out by the World Bank.  That means more poverty and not just in fuel, either.

Spending 'til you drop = poverty.  Re-allocating funds from HS2, Metro and Sprint to our Nine Action Points = building a society where all levels of society are using public transport regularly and using the car for treats and rewards for climate friendly behaviour.

I read recently on Twitter, "A developed country is not where the poor have cars.  It's where the rich use public transport."

I've just heard alarming news on Radio 4, 'PM' from Evan Davis.  Europe has seen the fastest temperature rise of any continent - "more than twice the global average over the last thirty years."  COP 27 approaches and we must be shrill in demanding that the WMCA slashes its disastrous irresponsible overspending on Metro and Sprint.  Immediately.

Climate First at this time in talks with the Combined Authority as COP 27 is in progress next week is what they would expect from us.  Stopping the future planned spending on unnecessary Metro and Sprint extensions can then release money for more concessionary travel for more passengers to help with energy and food bills.  This is the quickest, painless and easiest way for the WMCA to address fuel poverty and the cost of living crisis.

We ourselves took an initiative in presenting the nine action points and that really is what we must emphasise to Ed, Laura and Andy on every occasion we get to meet them or write to them.  I will do so myself.  We mustn't let them off the hook but make them squirm over their three years of no action on climate.  I reminded them of their Declaration last Friday morning as, in the corridor, I cheekily welcomed them to their own Board meeting - what fun!