The borough council is set to unveil plans to make the town carbon neutral by 2030.

The carbon reduction strategy sets out the next steps to reduce the authority’s carbon emissions. It comes after councillors unanimously backed a motion in January.

Cabinet member for climate change Keith Williams, said: “Protecting our environment is a key commitment for this council and this ambitious strategy sets out how we plan to meet our pledge to become carbon neutral.

“We have already invested a significant amount in renewable energy, sustainable travel and energy savings schemes and this strategy sets out our next steps.

“As a leading voice in the town we plan to set the example by bringing our own organisation down to net zero and we hope many others will follow suit.

“While we will do everything we can, it will be down to all of us as residents and businesses to change the way we travel, work and live if we are to cut our carbon emissions as a borough.”

Alongside the ambition to reduce its own carbon footprint, the council will also be playing a role leading the wider town to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Road travel, residential buildings and institutional buildings and facilities are responsible for over two thirds of the current 1.5m tonnes of CO2 emission currently produced by the borough each year.

The council says it intends to influence, educate and support residents and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, including using the planning process to influence how new houses are built.

A public consultation on the strategy will be undertaken in the coming months to allow them to have their say on the council’s approach.