Calls have been made to stop council funding which supports a monthly "climate cafe" run by pressure group Extinction Rebellion.

Conservative leaders in Bolton have said council tax payers in the borough should have to fund their activities.

The café, which is open to all, has been run by the Bolton branch of Extinction Rebellion (XR) at the Albert Halls since September last year.

The events have recently been boosted by an award of £1,134 from the council’s Queens Park and Central ward’s area working budget, a fund distributed by ward councillors for community initiatives and events.

The Saturday morning "climate cafes" have discussed and hosted guest speakers on topics such as food waste, fast fashion and green gardening techniques.

The funding, approved by ward councillors, was welcomed by Queens Park Labour councillor Richard Silvester in July.

He said the group "are promoting to all residents of the borough who wish to attend, the effects of climate change on people, other species and our environment".

He added that the members were "a good group of people" who shared with the council "the objective of reducing carbon emissions in the borough".

Extinction Rebellion Bolton said the café "provides a relaxed atmosphere for residents to learn more about climate and environmental issues".

At a meeting of the full council on September 4, Conservative leader Martyn Cox challenged Labour on the cash grant.

He said: “The Bolton Labour group through area funding budgets are using Bolton taxpayers’ money to fund the activities of Extinction Rebellion.

“While campaigning groups have a right to pursue their aims, it is not the responsibility of council tax payers to fund their activities. We call on the Labour group to stop funding.”

In a statement in January, 2023, Extinction Rebellion said it was shifting tactics away from direct action causing disruption. The group said they wished to "prioritise attendance over arrest and relationships over roadblocks".

Other environmental protest groups, such as Just Stop Oil, have continued direct action since that announcement.

Another Conservative councillor Anne Galloway, submitted a written question about the funding.

She said: “The sum of £1,134 was approved by ward councillors and has apparently met the criteria set by the council.

“XR is a controversial organisation.”

Council leader Nick Peel said: “This partly funds a monthly climate café where residents can discuss environmental issues and share ideas to make our borough greener.

"They are providing education to the public on the effects of climate change and what we can to as individuals to change behaviours.

“They have guest speakers who come to talk and there are free refreshments and a lending library.

"Cllr Cox raises a good point – there’s a fine line between what an organisation is trying to achieve through education and whether that organisation is political.”

Cllr Peel argued that the council also funds other groups such as Bolton Green Umbrella, who he described as "a very good group who organise community volunteers".

He added: “They have an agenda, which is for the council to do more for the environment.

“The Community Volunteer Service has an agenda that could be defined as a political or as social.

“I think it’s quite dangerous to start being too overtly critical of decisions like this.

“Clearly the ward councillors are supportive of the education element of a café for the community based in the town hall.”

He added that Cllr Cox had previously attended a meeting organised by the same group at Friends House as a guest speaker.

He said: “You went there and you spoke to Extinction Rebellion.

"They are a community group in the ward and involved in community education so they met the criteria for funding.”

Vicki Attenborough, from Extinction Rebellion Bolton, said: “To date the café has covered topics such as active travel, reducing waste, upcycling, climate change and food to name but a few.

“The sessions have been extremely well received.

“It is clear that we need to do so much more, and quickly, to ensure a liveable planet for our children and grandchildren. Residents are increasingly concerned about these matters and the climate café provides a space for them to share thoughts and ideas as well as support their own resilience.

“There is a lot of evidence that climate concern can impact mental health, especially amongst young people and that doing something positive with others is a good way to counter this.”