The money, which includes grants and borrowing, could propel the council further up national rankings, where it is already the best performing rural district authority in the country for tackling climate change.
Nearly £1 million is to be earmarked for three more schemes to drive Teignbridge Council’s campaign to tackle its carbon emissions.
The money, which includes grants and borrowing, could propel the council further up national rankings, where it is already the best performing rural district authority in the country for tackling climate change.
“This is a really good news story!” said council leader Richard Keeling (Lib Dem, Chudleigh).
The schemes will see more than half a million pounds spent on Newton Abbot Leisure Centre, with £390,000 for Dawlish Leisure Centre and £57,000 for Teignmouth Lido.
It is part of a project focused on the council’s fleet of vehicles and its most energy-intensive buildings.
At Dawlish, where almost half the cost will be met by Sport England, work will include replacing swimming pool equipment and installing solar panels to generate low-cost energy.
Newton Abbot will get similar measures, while a pool cover will be installed at Teignmouth to stop heat escaping at night.
The full council was also told that membership numbers were increasing at leisure centres in the district.
“This is something we should really be celebrating,” said Cllr Keeling. “It’s income, and we’re helping to keep everyone healthy.”