WREXHAM Council has pledged to spend £640,000 this year on making the county borough greener.

The authority has outlined its plans to help tackle climate change and reduce Wrexham's carbon footprint.

The council says more buildings will have the latest technology installed to ensure minimum energy consumption and maximum carbon savings.

It will spend £67,000 installing Building Management Systems (BMS) into some of local schools to monitor and effectively manage services, such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

This will include a programme of 10 schools, of which three are high schools, deriving a wealth of benefits in terms of reducing our carbon emissions from the heating of our buildings.

Schools will also benefit from lighting upgrades, with four primary schools and one high school to have a full LED lighting scheme installed, at a cost of more than £150,000.

Within the council's large depot on Ruthin Road, there are plans to install a battery storage system to link with their existing Solar PV installation – which could cost around £200,000.

The Environment Depot at Abbey Road will look to have Solar PV installed to support the expansion of the number of electric vehicle charging points for the ever expanding electric fleet.

The council will also be spending £55,000 on the newly refurbished Crown Buildings, which will have a large PV system installed and will support the reduction in carbon emissions from the building.

Regarding transport, Wrexham Council says it plans to install electrical vehicle charging points at more of its premises, and will be using Welsh Government grant funding (of £35,000) to increase the number of publicly accessible charging points.

It is hoped more will be installed in more rural locations, for example a charging point is being installed at Holt car park.

Several replacement vehicles, run on electric, are to be used by our Environment Department and the council is awaiting the first electric refuse collection vehicles in Wales.

Other things on the agenda include tree and wildflower planting.

The council has planted an additional nine areas with wildflowers – this is in addition to the planting that’s taken place on its roundabouts.

Cllr David A Bithell, lead member for environment and transport and Climate Change Champion, said, “Recent news shows just how serious the situation is and we’re now in a position here in Wrexham to see serious and sustainable works taking place that can really make a difference.

"It’s now essential that our carbon neutral commitment is embedded in every aspect of our work and it’s very encouraging to see this is beginning to happen.

“We don’t work alone though and it’s important to recognise the work our partners at the Public Services Board, Welsh Government and Economic Ambition Board do in making sure we do this in a joined up and managed way.”

“I’ll be updating the council later this year on how this important work is progressing.”