WHITCHURCH Town Council has pledged its support to a initiative to reduce the region's impact on the environment.

At November's full council meeting, held virtually on Thursday, November 19, a motion was passed that the council would engage with Shropshire Climate Action Partnership, also referred to as 'Zero Carbon Shropshire'.

The partnership is a non-profit organisation, established to help represent and coordinate stakeholders across the unitary areas of both Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

Their membership consists of individuals, businesses, charities, interest groups, as well as local authorities such as the unitary councils and town/parish councils.

Councillors discussed the item after Whitchurch residents wrote to the council in support of the group's work.

The motion was proposed by Councillor Simon Hamlyn, and after several councillors spoke favourably of the initiative, they voted unanimously in favour of engaging with the partnership.

Cllr Andy Hall also described it as 'a no-brainer'.

Nick Saxby, the local renewable energy campaigner who proposed this to the council, said the council's backing was a 'positive step'.

"I note the positive steps that Whitchurch Town Council has taken already, in supporting the Local Electricity Bill, and in installing solar PV on the roof of the Civic Centre," said Mr Saxby. "But a lot more action will be necessary in coming years.

"Joining Zero Carbon Shropshire will be a very positive step.

"Doing so will no doubt enable the council to find support and resources towards achieving its net-zero objectives.

"Shropshire Council has declared a climate emergency, and set a target of reaching carbon net-zero by 2030, but to achieve this across our region, we will require a collaborative approach".

Zero Carbon Shropshire will be publishing a report later in the year which will cover how the region can reach net zero across a range of sectors.