SOUTHEND Council is set to call a “climate emergency” to highlight its commitment to the environment.

Leader Ian Gilbert backed the move during a conference this week as he hopes to make the council carbon neutral.

Mr Gilbert accepted the declaration would make no specific difference but believes the symbolic one is still important.

Speaking after a joint meeting of the Local Government Association he said: “Declaring a climate emergency is symbolic language but it aims to get across the scale and urgency of the problems that we face.

“Making this declaration won’t change anything but I think it does send a message that we are serious about this.”

He did not say when a declaration would be made by the council but outlined a range of green polices the council is working on including an aim to bring electric taxis and buses to the borough and improving infrastructure for electric vehicles by adding charging points.

They are also working with schools on energy reduction by helping them to apply for funding for things such as solar panels.

One of the more controversial attempts to improve air quality in the region has been the Government’s push for a section of the A127 near Basildon to have a 50mph limit.

Mr Gilbert admitted that the change is a difficult issue and stopped short of giving it his support.

He said: “The change on the A127 is controversial.

“I think air quality needs addressing, we have certain parts of Southend where air quality is poor but whether speed limits are the solution, I am not sure I can say that. “Basildon has been directed by the Government to take that action, no one wants to slow down for no reason but air pollution is a serious problem in itself.”

In the UK 109 councils have made a declaration.