NEWS Shopper has launched a new competition for the area's councillors called How Green Is Your Council Leader?

In last week's edition we heard from Gravesham Council leader, Councillor Mike Snelling, who wants the government to switch to nuclear power.

This week we put the same questions to Dartford Council leader, Councillor Jeremy Kite.

The winning answers will be judged by News Shopper's Green Household Champion Elizabeth Greenwood, who has made many environmentally friendly changes to her Chislehurst bungalow including installing solar panels.

At the end of the series she will present the champion council leader with a special secret prize.

1. What do you do to help the environment?

Well, I lead a council that believes in supporting families in their recycling rather than bullying them, and which provides a first-rate recycling service.

But I guess our biggest contribution has been the commissioning of the world's first green football stadium at Princes Park.

2. In one sentence, how would you encourage residents to be green?

I think you have to believe in being green, not be bullied into it, and so I would ask them to take small, reasonable steps to reduce their consumption and raise their recycling because they want to - not because some stupid government directive orders them to.

3. How many cars do you own and what are they?

I use public transport or taxis in my personal life but I do have access to a council car when I'm on Dartford business.

It's a six-year-old Jaguar that we bought second-hand and I have made a public commitment not to replace it for as long as it keeps going.

4. How far do you have to travel to work?

I live in a village six miles from Dartford Civic Centre and about 30 miles from my duties as a councillor at County Hall in Maidstone.

5. How do you get to work?

I'm half saint, half sinner on this one. If I am on Dartford Council business I tend to use the council car but hopefully redeem myself by taking all my trips to Kent County Council meetings by bus and rail. I also cadge a lot of lifts.

My weekly trips to see the Darts play are all on public transport. The 475 rural bus service is terrific and Fastrack is superb. I use Fastrack at least five times a week.

6. How many miles a year do you drive?

The council car did about 2,000 in the last three months - so about 8,000 a year.

7. Do you own a bike?

I do actually but it's in need of repair. One of my new year resolutions was to take up cycling again and a good friend gave me an old bike to repair and get back on the road.

8. What changes have you made to your house to save energy?

My house is Edwardian so cavity insulation is out of the question. I have installed internal wall insulation where I can, put my lights on passive infra-reds and replaced my boiler to a full eco-one about a year ago. My gas bills have plummeted.

I have a large garden and have done a deal with the bloke who runs the Swanscombe Community Allotment. He's going to show me how to grow my own potatoes.

9. If you could make one change to make the world a greener place, what would it be?

I'd put environmental studies up there with maths and English on the school curriculum.

10. If you could bring back one extinct animal, what would it be and why?

How about brave, patriotic and competent politicians. Not entirely extinct but close enough. We need them back.