CIVIC chiefs in Test Valley have unanimously shown support for the council's climate change plan, bringing it one step closer to helping tackle the issue.

At a full Test Valley Borough Council meeting on June 10, the action plan that sets out the authority’s recommendations to reduce its carbon footprint was given full approval by all present elected members.

The plan was put together during a six-month period and was approved by the council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee this March, which includes proposals such as planting as many trees as possible over the next few years and reducing paper output by offering a number of digital alternatives.

Environmental portfolio holder, councillor Alison Johnston, said: “I would like to thank council staff, elected members and the wider communities and businesses who have all contributed to this document. This is a living document; it needs to be.

“Reacting to the current pandemic has, rightly, been the council’s focus over the past few months. As we work through the recovery phase, we have the opportunity to adapt to new, low carbon ways of working and living. We must seize this chance and continue working together as we push forward with the next steps of this action plan.”

The council has already taken multiple steps to help tackle climate change in the borough, including the installation of solar panels on council buildings, using more environmentally-friendly printing and adding electric vehicles to its fleet, with the potential to completely replace its current fleet of vehicles with electric or alternative fuel options.