TEST Valley Borough Council has declared a climate emergency as it steps up its fight to tackle climate change.

Leader of the council, councillor Phil North, put forward the motion at a full council meeting on Wednesday, September 4, in Romsey.

Having gained the approval of councillors and receiving cross-party support, the authority has already begun plans to set out how it can eliminate its carbon footprint.

Cllr North said: “It was fantastic to see a number of members of the public not only in vocal support of the motion, but actually speaking to councillors, too.

“This is a vital issue that I am passionate and committed to. I would encourage people to contact me with any ideas they may have as to how we can tackle this.

“We are now focused on drawing together an action plan to eliminate our carbon footprint as soon as possible, and, with cross-party support, this can be done before the government target of 2050.”

The authority has implemented a number of changes in recent years in a bid to become more environmentally sustainable.

Those amendments have included installing LED lighting and solar panels at its Portway depot, growing its fleet of electric vehicles and progressing plans to install 18 electric vehicle charging points in Andover and Romsey.

The council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee will now draw together a plan over the next six months for how the authority can eliminate its carbon footprint.

Liberal Democrat leader, cllr Celia Dowden, added: “We need everyone to contribute and evaluate their choices as we aim to bring about change on a national scale.

“Everything counts as we step up united in the national fight.”