Review of council's climate fight plans

Plans to cut Shropshire's carbon footprint over the long term are set for a review by a council watchdog to ensure they meet Government targets and do not end up costing taxpayers.

Councillor Maxwell Winchester, vice-chairman of Shropshire Council's strategic overview and scrutiny panel, called for the review after claiming it was vital for the authority to do all it could to tackle climate change.

The ward member for Quarry and Coton Hill ward in Shrewsbury, said the review would be on the panel's forward plan.

He said: "I think it is important we keep a close eye on our environmental impact as an authority as well as reviewing the environmental impact of Shropshire as a whole.

"That is why I have asked that a regular review of our achievement in reducing our environmental impact be conducted. Aside from the moral obligation, the national Government has set us targets that we must meet to avoid fines.

"By regularly reviewing our achievements or lack thereof reducing our environmental impact will be at the forefront of our minds and will be more likely to be considered in scrutinising the council's strategies and policies."

Details of an ambitious campaign to cut carbon emissions by 35 per cent in five years, saving millions of pounds and potentially creating jobs, were unveiled by Shropshire Council last month.

The authority has joined the Carbon Management Programme, promoted by the Carbon Trust, as part of a pledge to improve energy efficiency. The aim is to save energy, reduce carbon emissions and become more energy efficient.

It is a national priority to save energy and Shropshire Council has set itself the tough target of a 35 per cent reduction by 2014.

Work to tackle climate change includes innovative ways to improve buildings and making new buildings energy efficient.

For example, the new William Brookes School in Much Wenlock will have solar thermal hot water panels, a combined heat and power boiler and modern heating and lighting controls.

Other projects which may be investigated in the future include upgrading the lighting in Shirehall and replacing the 45-year-old heating boilers with more efficient ones.