Carlisle City Council is committed to progressing its climate change strategy, according to the authority’s environment chief.

The council passed a motion declaring a climate emergency on March 5 last year but consultation on the authority’s draft strategy on how to address the emergency, which was published in February this year, has been held up by the coronavirus pandemic.

Councillor Nigel Christian, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said the all-party members’ working group for climate change is set to meet at the end of this month to steer the project forward.

“This strategy is due to be considered by the executive in October,” he said.

“It will be reviewed by members through the scrutiny panels process and then it will be presented to the council.

“The council will meet to adopt it as council policy and as council policy of course we then ensure that it is taken into account in all of the decision-making that we do.”

Mr Christian was responding to a question at a full council meeting from a member of the public about how the council had worked towards its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

He said the strategy aimed to reduce emissions from the city council’s estate and operations, emissions and energy consumption by homes and businesses, transport emissions, and consumption of resources and waste, as well as taking measures to adapt to the impact of climate change.

Mr Christian listed a number of actions the council had taken or would be taking in the process of trying to reduce its carbon footprint.

Climate change issues were said to be “at the forefront” of the St Cuthbert’s Garden Village development and Mr Christian said the Borderlands revamp of Citadel Station would “give people real choice in how they travel to and around our city”.

He also said work on a cycling and walking strategy with Cumbria County Council had identified 51 potential schemes in and around the city.

It was confirmed that the council now requires those tendering for contracts to provide details of their climate change policies.

The member of the public also asked about the use of large LED screens in the windows of the Old Town Hall, which he said remained illuminated all night.

Councillor Gareth Ellis, the authority’s deputy leader, conceded they did not need to run all night and could be turned off.