Ashby de la Zouch Council has agreed to allocate £5,000 towards addressing climate change.

Tonight's meeting of the Full Council voted unanimously on a motion to declare a climate emergency.

Councillors Tom Stanley and Green Party representative Carl Benfield, put it forward, suggesting a maximum budget of £5,000.

Labour councillor Stanley said: "We have to do our bit towards climate change, and this is a good start while recognising our limited powers."

The full motion reads: "This Town Council declares a climate emergency and will aim to reduce cancel greenhouse emissions to net zero and become fully climate resilience by 2030, recognising that the town council can only operate within its own scope of control and influence.

"Accordingly, the Town Council will undertake analysis of its own activities, taking specialist advice where required, with a view to understanding current emissions and preparing a robust set of actions and plans to achieve net zero. 

"The Town Council delegates responsibility to the Town Clerk to commission specialist advice with a maximum budget of £5,000.

"In addition, progress against the net zero aim will be reviewed annually by the Full Council."

But Conservative councillor, John Coxon, questioned where the money was coming from to do this.

Cllr Chris Smith, leader of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council, suggested that addressing energy issues at the council's Legion House building, would make a saving.

He said: "I couldn't believe the size of the gas bill here. I believe there is money in the budget for this purpose.

"It's a world situation, but the Town Council can play it's part. I'm not sure why this hasn't been addressed before."

Town clerk Jack Fargher told councillors that there would be ways to explore allocation the money from the budget, and that some measures, such as energy saving lights, were already being used at Legion House.