ACTION is needed now in Dorset to tackle the climate and ecological emergency.

That's the view from campaigners who are concerned that council chiefs won't be meeting for more than two months to discuss an action plan.

Dorset Council recently set up a Climate Executive Advisory Panel to discuss plans for tackling climate and ecological issues.

The panel has agreed to consult further with Extinction Rebellion (XR) groups in Dorset on producing a climate and ecological emergency action plan for Dorset.

But the panel won’t meet again until mid-September.

Campaigner Caz Dennett from Weymouth said: "An emergency means acting when it is necessary, not when it is convenient.

“We recognise that the summer holidays can present challenges for organising meetings, but we understand Dorset Council doesn't shut down in July and August. Therefore, it is not clear what would cause this delay.

“We’re asking the council to arrange at least a preliminary meeting with all those available within the next two to three weeks. If we postpone until September, in reality this means we won't start in earnest until October, potentially 4-5 months after the council declared a Climate Emergency. That degree of delay would not say ‘emergency.”

XR members from Weymouth, Dorchester and Bridport have offered the council a climate and ecological emergency planning day.

The aim is to provide a clear understanding of what the climate and ecological crisis means to Dorset and facilitate discussion and action planning as to how Dorset Council can reduce greenhouse gases and prevent further biodiversity loss.

In response to concerns, Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s Climate Change Executive Advisory Panel chairman and Cabinet Member for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “While the Climate Change Executive Advisory Panel has a vital role in making recommendations to Dorset Council about what we can do to help tackle climate change, lots of work has already taken place since our declaration of a climate emergency and will continue outside of the panel meetings.

"We have already begun to arrange a preliminary meeting between Extinction Rebellion (XR) and Dorset Council ahead of September’s panel. This should take place in the next few weeks, and we are looking forward to discussing what we’ve been up to.

"Rest assured Dorset Council is treating this work as a priority. We are considering the proposals made by XR, while continuing to provide vital services to all Dorset residents. "Once we have agreed the next steps, we will be talking to the communities we serve about our plans.”