CHERWELL District Council is the latest council to declare a climate emergency after a motion proposed in a meeting on Monday was unanimously backed.

Proposed by Labour Councillor Mark Cherry, the motion included the council pledging to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Mr Cherry said: “I don’t think we can argue the facts, we need to declare a climate emergency.

“Together we can do more. We must do more, for our children’s children’s sake. Politics does get in the way sometimes but on climate change, it can't get in the way."

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Many members of the public watching in the chamber showed their support by applauding the motion.

An amendment submitted by Conservative Councillor Andrew McHugh was also accepted.

Many councillors at the meeting outlined ways in which the council could lower its carbon footprint such as requiring all taxis to be electric, create more electronic charging points, ensure higher standards are met in new-builds and council properties are retrofit.

Independent Councillor John Broad was sceptical of the council and says it has not always held climate change at the forefront of its decisions in the past.

As an example, he said that out of the 24 major sites across the District where renewable energy is specifically required, only one - the Bicester Eco-Town -has any solar panels installed as a condition of approval.

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Green Councillor Ian Middleton said: "Cherwell does have one of the largest carbon footprints but I must admit I’d prefer to see this motion containing little more regards to tangible actions that could be making a difference immediately -but its a good start."

The motion requires the Leader of the Council to report back within six months with actions the council will take to address this emergency and work towards becoming carbon neutral.