TORBAY is to do its bit for the planet after endorsing the Transition Town movement.

Councillors meeting for the full council voted to adopt the principles of the Transition Town movement which was pioneered in Totnes two years ago.

The agreement to go green means the local authority is now pledging to help community groups in the Bay which want to join the movement.

It also means the local authority will try to reduce its dependency on fuel oil while creating more sustainable communities.

Cllr Steve Darling, who submitted the proposal at Wednesday's annual meeting, which had been adjourned because of swine flu, said: "This is a very exciting opportunity to allow people to come together and shape their own community and the community they want to become.

"This recession is only going to give us a short break before the price of oil goes up again.

"The Transition Town movement allows the community their own destiny and shape for the longer term."

Cllr Darling said endorsing the Transition Town movement means Torbay should ensure its food supply is locally sourced and more sustainable."

Cllr Ian Doggett, who seconded the motion, added: "I hope the Cabinet will support this. The idea is that we should get more involved.

"Sutton Seeds has recorded increased sales of vegetable seeds in the past year. It's all about growing your own.

"By supporting the Transition Town you also support a local business. The local community can help a local company from going under."

Cllr Doggett said the council should encourage the replanting of orchards to have both apples and help with the struggling bee population.

The Transition Town movement was first thought up in Totnes and soon gave birth to hundreds of similar grass root movements around the world, from huge cities in Japan to small countryside villages in rural England.

Rob Hopkins, who is behind Transition Town Totnes, welcomed Torbay Council's decision to join the movement.

He said: "This is absolutely brilliant news. It is part of a very exciting trend. We're starting to see other local authorities join the movement.

"Leicestershire and Somerset County Councils have voted to become the first Transition Town local authorities.

"We have seen quite a few projects get off the ground. It's a mark of the urgency with which people want their local authorities to deal with these issues."

A film made about the Transition Town Totnes movement is soon to be premiered at a London screening.

Mr Hopkins added: "The Transition Town Movement is very positive and doesn't start by laying blame and saying whose fault it is.

"It's very accessible and very engaging for the local authority."