A group set up to tackle climate change at Shropshire Council will meet for the first time next month.

A ‘task and finish’ group is being set up by portfolio holder for climate change, Councillor Dean Carroll as the authority bids to become carbon neutral.

Councillor Carroll said the task and finish group – which will meet in private – will come together for the first time on July 1.

It comes after the council declared a ‘climate change emergency’ last month.

He said: “We will meet for the first time on that date and the terms of reference will be agreed.

“Meetings of task and finish groups are internal council meetings meant to inform policy by taking evidence from such experts as required.

“The conclusions of the group will be drawn together into a final report which includes an overview of the work it has been carried out and is then reported back to scrutiny committee, which is held in public.”

He added: “Shropshire Council has a key leadership role to play in the response to climate change, both locally and nationally.

“Locally we have great soft power in influencing the actions of communities, businesses, the voluntary sector, town and parish councils and our own contractors.

“We must aim to utilise that soft power to drive more sustainable behaviour.

“Nationally we have a role to play, along with other councils, to lobby government to set ambitious objectives for carbon reduction and to support local authorities in reducing their carbon emissions, all with the eventual goal of carbon neutrality.”

Councillor Carroll added that he has been in touch with Shrewsbury Town Council, which has also declared a climate change emergency.

He added: “This was to discuss climate change amongst other things.

“It was a very productive meeting and I look forward to future meetings with them.

“There is no doubt plenty of good practice can be shared in both directions on carbon reduction and sustainability.”

Councillor Carroll added that a new role is being created at the council to tackle climate change.

He said recruitment of a sustainability officer will begin shortly.

“It will be advertised publicly in the near future,” he added.

“This important role will co-ordinate the related work already under way across the council, plus also giving additional strategy and policy capacity.

“It will also lead in pulling together our revised strategy and working to co-create and deliver projects with key partners.”