A LOCAL authority is to create a £1million Climate Change Emergency Reserve.

The cash fund will enable Hyndburn Council to take steps to reduce its carbon footprint and tackle global warming locally.

It fulfils an ambition of borough leader Cllr Miles Parkinson.

A report from the authority's chief executive David Welsby to Hyndburn's Full Council meeting on Thursday proposes the creation of the reserve.

Cllr Marlene Haworth, leader of the borough's Conservative group, said: "I think this is a good idea.

"It will help Hyndburn Council to do its bit in tackling this global problem."

The report says: "This requests Council to approve the re-designation of £1m of reserves to a new reserve to help the council combat climate change.

"The council declared a Climate Change Emergency at its meeting on September 19 2019.

"At that time the leader of the council indicated he wished to make a financial commitment of £1m towards action to deal with climate change.

"Due to the impact of Covid-19 it was not possible to implement this in the 2021/22 Budget.

"As the danger from Covid-19 appears to have stabilised, it is now appropriate for the council to approve the creation of the new reserve which will allow projects to be undertaken as required.

"A panel to look at environmental issues entitled 'The Hyndburn Green Review' identified a range of actions for the council to take.

"It gave a commitment to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint for council activities by 2030.

"It also highlighted the need for the council to work with others towards making Hyndburn net zero carbon.

"The highest priority was for the council to decarbonise energy, especially from gas usage in the council's buildings.

"This work helped to secure £2.3m investment from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

"This will allow a total transformation of the energy infrastructure at Hyndburn Leisure Centre.

"Works underway at Scaitcliffe House will achieve significant emissions reductions at the council’s headquarters.

"The project will also see changes at the Crematorium with measures to reduce carbon emissions.

"Measures are underway to reduce carbon emissions from the council's vehicle fleet.

"To continue our journey to a net zero carbon footprint a pipeline of ongoing projects will need to be developed.

"It is key an appropriate level of funding is set aside to ensure the necessary funds are available to take the appropriate actions when the opportunities arise.

"The recommendations in this report ensure £1m is immediately available to deploy towards projects that will achieve significant reductions in its own carbon footprint and support activity across Hyndburn to deliver carbon neutrality by 2030."