A NEWLY formed council committee that will seek to tackle climate change will meet for the first time next month.

South Oxfordshire District Council has been led by a Liberal Democrat and Green coalition after May's local elections.

The authority's new Climate Emergency Advisory Committee will advise how it could tackle environmental concerns.

The council voted to declare a climate emergency at a meeting in April.

The committee of 12 councillors will meet in public and will advise the council's cabinet on matters relating to it.

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Sue Cooper, the council's leader, said: “Having declared a climate emergency, this was the next step.

"The committee will try to find ways that council services across South Oxfordshire can contribute to carbon reduction targets and minimise the damage to our environment.”

Sue Roberts, who will chair the committee, said: “I am pleased to be working in a committee that represents all political groups on the council. We need a united front to face a challenge of this magnitude. The committee is supported by dedicated staff and will cut across all areas of the council’s operation and influence.”

The first meeting will take place on Thursday, September 19 at Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot from 6pm. Its agenda will be published a week before.