A wide-ranging review into the costs of switching to renewable energy in Bradford Council's 600 buildings is to take place.

Officers will have six months to complete the survey into adapting the public buildings to take advantage of technology such as solar power and wind turbines.

The review will also look at other local authorities leading the way.

The Green Party group motion before last night's full council meeting was passed despite fears that six months was not long enough for an thorough job.

Councillor Kevin Warnes (Green, Shipley) told the meeting it was vital the Council plays a leading role in minimising its own carbon emissions and encourage individuals to follow suit.

"Obviously we can build on the excellent work already being done in the areas of energy efficiency and waste management by the environment teams," he said. "But we also need to look at where our energy comes from in the first place. At the moment only three per cent of the energy used in the Council's 600-odd buildings comes from renewable sources."

He also suggested using money from the sale of Leeds Bradford Airport to pay for advanced technologies.

He referred to the report by former World Bank chief economist Sir Nicholas Stern, which was released on Monday, warning that the world was entering "dangerous territory" without urgent action to reduce carbon emissions.

Conservative and Liberal Democrat amendments to Coun Warnes' motion were both voted down. An interim report is to be produced by the end of January.

Other decisions made at the meeting include: l The newly-formed Yorkshire Regiment was granted freedom of the City of Bradford.

  • A review will see what steps can be taken to improve the Bradford system of imposing anti-social behaviour orders. Discussions will be held with the police, Bradford Community Housing Trust and other agencies.
  • The Council renewed its commitment to ensure 75 per cent local labour in major projects it is involved in.
  • A heated debate followed a British National Party motion over separate dining for Muslim councillors breaking their fast at the last meeting. Deputy Labour group leader David Green (Wibsey) accused the BNP of indulging in "cheap, petty, nasty politics".
e-mail: jo.winrow@bradford.newsquest.co.uk