A Reform UK-led council has voted to overturn a declaration of a climate emergency.
Staffordshire County Council confirmed that it voted to scrap the declaration of a climate change emergency, which was initially agreed by the authority in July 2019.
The original climate emergency declaration had been approved when the Conservatives held power at the council.
Reform UK secured 49 of 62 seats in May's local elections, capturing 41 per cent of votes cast.
The authority confirmed it would instead be dedicated to "immediate environmental issues" instead of "pursuing unfunded targets a generation away".
Cabinet member responsible for connectivity and Stafford Trent Valley councillor Andrew Mynors argued that terminology around climate emergencies and net zero ambitions had diverted attention from core council responsibilities.
He listed these as economic development, educational provision, assistance for vulnerable people and delivering taxpayer value.
Councillor Mynors stated his conviction that "we ought to leave our environment, our countryside, our county in a better place than we found it".
Councillor Andrew Mynors said the council would deal with 'immediate environmental issues
|STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
The cabinet member expressed concern that attempting to meet targets without funding over the next quarter-century was creating significant strain on council resources.
"We have a responsibility to make sure our wonderful environment is protected and enhanced, and this means taking real tangible actions that make a difference immediately," he told the BBC.
The authority has indicated that comprehensive details about its environmental approach will be released before the year ends.
The 2021 nature recovery declaration remains unchanged.
Nigel Farage addresses supporters and the media at Staffordshire County Showground after Reform won control of Staffordshire County Council | GETTY
Conservative opposition members have challenged the decision, arguing it conveys an inappropriate signal.
Simon Tagg, who formerly served as cabinet member for environment, revealed he had put forward a different approach to handling the existing declaration.
"We should be refreshing and replacing it, and moving it forward," he said.
Mr Tagg, the councillor for Westlands, Thistleberry & Keele, indicated he remained optimistic about collaborating with Reform UK representatives on initiatives the Conservatives had begun implementing.
The former cabinet member noted that proposals mentioned by the Reform UK portfolio holder had previously been pitched by the Tories.
He said: "The portfolio holder who was proposing his motion was talking about energy efficiency savings that can be made, green spaces and better recycling, they're all of the things that we were pushing for four or five years anyway."
Tagg suggested Reform UK councillors needed to "be seen to be making a big gesture" because of their party's nationwide stance regarding climate issues.
He expressed satisfaction that the nature recovery declaration from 2021 had been preserved.
Council leader Ian Cooper has acknowledged the party must demonstrate its capability in local governance.
He previously told the BBC: "We have to prove to people we are competent."
Mr Cooper, the councillor for Perrycrofts, claimed the first hundred days had involved "changing perceptions" and delivering on responsibilities. He mentioned upcoming projects but declined to provide specifics.
Conservative opposition leader Phillip White has criticised the administration, claiming Reform UK squandered its initial hundred days in office.
Since gaining control, Reform UK has implemented several policy changes, including halting non-essential roadworks in certain Stafford areas and declining to utilise £4.5million in government funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.