NEW school buildings should be energy- efficient, says Kirklees Council’s leader.

Clr Robert Light wants to spend £14m making sure new schools are environmentally friendly.

The Conservative said: “We intend that new school buildings will be built to excellent environmental standards, because they are currently the most energy-inefficient council-owned buildings.

“This process will dramatically improve the carbon footprint of the borough, reflecting our ambition to make Kirklees the best place in the UK for green living.”

Clr Light also wants to spend £3m to extend the duration of the Household Renewable Energy Scheme from two years to five.

He hopes to invest £500,000 in smart meters to reduce energy use in council buildings.

He said: “Promoting Kirklees as a green council is one of our four main ambitions and we have put our money in to deliver that ambition.”