Welshpool Town Council say their new environmental policy is "more than just warm words".

The town council adopted their Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience Plan alongside a new environmental policy at the beginning of the month, intended to outline how the town will meet its legal obligations and maintain and strengthen its natural assets.

The Environment Wales Act 2016 requires all public bodies to consider consider environmental implications in all their dealings, including any likely impact on biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.

A working group was set up at the beginning of the year and, through a detailed process of consultation with staff, the plan has taken shape, the council says.

"This meets the requirements set out in Section 6 of the Environment Act," said Alison Davies, Town Mayor.

"The expectation of Welsh Government is that all Authorities, including Welshpool Town Council, will set out how they will meet requirements under the Act and also work towards the goals in the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.

"By working as a team with the staff we believe we have developed a clear and robust plan that has the commitment of the staff and has been adopted in its entirety by our full Town Council."

The document sets out how it can support habitats including the two Sites of Special Scientific Interest and one Special Area of Conservation that exist in the town but which are not managed by the council.

It also suggests how the council can provide opportunities for pollinators, such as on road verges and paths, alongside the creation of new habitats such as local orchards, native hedges, wildflower meadows or other areas of wildlife-friendly green space that exist within the area.

"Over the coming year many of the actions in this document will be implemented, with further actions being undertaken," the document reads.

"This is not a plan for the shelf, but a working and exciting way forward for Welshpool Town Council, with numerous opportunities opening through adopting this new way of working together."