A TOWN council which has declared a climate emergency is now looking for residents to help decide what action they should take.

St Just Town Council was one of the first in Cornwall to declare a climate emergency in February this year.

Following that the council agreed a short-term action plan which included setting up a Climate and Environment Action Committee to help lead the work.

This committee will be made up of a mix of town councillors and local residents – the search has now begun to find local people to join.

Deputy Mayor Sue James, who has been leading the work to declare a climate emergency, said: “Having spent time listening to the science and evidence of the consequences of continuing to emit carbon and other harmful greenhouse gases as we do today, I believe we cannot afford the ‘do nothing’ option.

“I also believe that it is no good us waiting for someone else to act, we all have to do what we can as soon as possible and those of us elected to represent communities need to help residents make decisions that are less harmful to our local environment and the planet.

“At County Hall our young people made it plain that there is ‘no planet B’ and that by the time they are old enough to be decision makers, it will be too late.

“St Just Town Council were unanimous in voting to declare the climate emergency and the terms of reference for the climate and environment action committee we now wish to set up.”

Under the plans the committee will have up to six town councillors and three local residents.

It will work to:

- review the town council’s initial climate change action plan and develop a longer term vision for the parish, in conjunction with the Premises and Amenities Committee, local schools and residents

- ensure that the town council is a source of information for local residents wanting to reduce, re-use and recycle, improve habitats for pollinators, planting trees and how to reduce their energy and water needs and bills work with those developing the local neighbourhood plan to ensure suitable energy and environmental policies are developed and promoted by town council when making planning comments

- work with the Tin Coast Partnership and Cornwall Council to reduce local residents’ dependency on petrol and diesel engine motor vehicles, supporting schemes that encourage more sustainable transport.

Any residents of the parish of St Just who would like to get involved in the committee are asked to get in contact with the town council and state what contribution they can make to the committee.

Applicants are also asked to include in their applications their names, contact details and details of membership of any political parties and/or climate groups – this is to ensure a mixed representation.

To apply email townclerk@stjust.org or write to The Town Clerk, 1 Chapel Street, St Just, TR19 7LS. Closing date is July 8.