The controlling Calderdale councillors have been accused of investing in fossil fuels in a clash with previous promises. The group has previously committed to tackling climate change with a recent budget approving an extra £1million in funding.
Calderdale has seen its local authority budget reduced by more than £110million over the past ten years.
Local councils have been urged by the government to think of commercial ways to raise the funding needed to plug gaps.
Purchasing commercial areas such as petrol stations are just one way in which councils could help fund local services.
However, Liberal Democrat opposition has attacked the petrol station plans before branding the council as hypocrites for the move.
READ MORE: Fuel pump prices are at their lowest level since 2019
Liberal Democrat council leader James Baker said: “The administration is investing in fossil fuels in Calderdale. It’s fact. It’s in a council report. It’s total hypocrisy.”
Labour councillors admitted they needed to generate a similar income stream from different investments in the future.
Councillor Scott Patient said: “I agree it can’t happen again and we have made it perfectly clear we can’t make those mistakes again. In the future errors like that will not happen.”
Information about the petrol sale purchase was listed under Calderdale Council’s Corporate Asset and Facilities Management Service.
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Calderdale Council has previously said West Yorkshire can play a significant role in reaching the extent of climate change.
The council declared a climate emergency in February last year to step up their actions.
They have boasted of addressing climate issues with a focus on reducing emissions from vehicles and investing in low-carbon energy sources.
Calderdale Council had approved a new reduction plan which would see the area target strive for zero-carbon by 2038.
Campaigners said this could be met in just the years with Calderdale councillors assuring a 2030 target would be achievable.
Fuel prices have fallen for their fifth consecutive week to fall to their lowest levels since April last year.
Data from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy revealed petrol currently stands at 122.43 pence per litre whole diesel fell to 162.62pence per litre.
RAC’s Fuel Watch is predicting the cost of fuel is very likely to come down meaning extra savings could be on the horizon for motorists.
Express.co.uk have contacted Calderdale’s Labour party for comment.