REDDITCH residents can have their say on a climate change emergency action plan to help the council.

A new survey asks residents for their local priorities on topics including energy, travel, waste, the ‘circular economy’ of reduce, re-use, recycle, and wildlife and biodiversity.

Responses to the survey will help Redditch Borough Council to develop its action plan for its policies and services, which is being prepared after councillors declared a ‘climate emergency’ in September.

Since then the council has created a new climate change and sustainability portfolio on the council’s executive committee and started a climate change panel.

Cllr Anthony Lovell, the council’s portfolio holder for climate change and sustainability, said: “The council has declared a climate emergency and created this new executive role that I am proud to now take on, which ensures these are top-table issues for policy and decision-making in Redditch.

“We will reduce our carbon footprint. We will promote ecology. And we will help and support residents towards more sustainable lifestyles, from car journeys to energy consumption to recycling. Most importantly we will invite everyone to play their part in changing how we think and act for the benefit of Redditch, our children, and the planet as a whole.

“A critical part of this process is understanding what our residents think we should prioritise. That’s what this survey is for, and as a resident of the borough we would like to hear your views.”

Cllr Matthew Dormer, leader of the council, said: “This is something that is very close to my heart. As the creation of this new executive portfolio shows, we’re committed to tackling these issues in Redditch.”

The survey is available now at https://www.redditchbc.gov.uk/climate-change and closes at 5pm on Tuesday, September 1. It should take around 10 minutes to complete.