Issue - meetings

To consider the Executive`s response to the motion on single use plastics presented to Council by the Green group.

Prior to consideration of this item the Chair said that he had given  consideration to a request from the Green group to withdraw the item for further consideration but said that he felt this was not the correct step and that there were some positives in the report that the council should take and that  the matter could be looked at again in the future but at present in light of the Covid pandemic it was not the council`s immediate priority.

Purpose

To consider a motion presented to Council from the Green group on single use plastics.

Reason for Decision

The Council is already undertaking s number of initiatives to reduce reliance on SUP and any response must be proportionate.  The focus of council resources is currently prioritised on its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Decision

That approval be given to:-

a. an audit and publication of single use plastic (SUP) items used by the council is not undertaken

b. an annual SUP audit and publication scheme is not introduced

c. Where reasonably practical council actions are maintained to reduce SUP in the supply of council goods, services and works, through appropriate tender specifications 

d. Where reasonably practical and appropriate include specific lease or tenancy conditions to support SUP removal and reduction

e. Criteria are included in tender specifications to evaluate supplier compliance to SUP removal or reduction

f. The recommendations at C and E above are applied where SUP use is identified in the existing council supply chain

g. Work continues to encourage local businesses to reduce SUP

h. the council does not undertake a feasibility study to identify available premises for a community co-operative shop

i. The council uses social media to facilitate and raise awareness on actions to support SUP reduction, linking this with existing County wide awareness initiatives

To consider the Executive`s response to the motion on single use plastics presented to Council by the Green group.

Chris Gay, Governance Manager presented a report to the Committee which was also to be presented to the meeting of the Executive on 20^th October 2020.

The report requested that the Executive consider several recommendations as outlined within the report; in response to a motion, also outlined in the report, that had been presented to a meeting of the Full Council on 18^th December 2019 from the Green Group on single use plastics (SUP).

Grounds for the recommendations were outlined within the report.

Councillor Andy Fewings expressed frustration at the period taken for the motion to be responded to and the lack of communication between officers and Members who had proposed the motion.

Councillor Fewings also expressed disappointment at the recommendations to be presented to the Executive.  Whilst acknowledging the immediate urgency to the Council to address the difficulties of the Covid-19 situation, Councillor Fewings stressed the importance of other emergency issues that the Council should address alongside the pandemic.  Councillor Howard Baker supported Councillor Fewings in relation to these concerns.

Councillor Paul Campbell reminded the Committee of the recent changes to the Leadership/administration and stressed that although other issues were important, Covid-19 was the immediate issue.

IT WAS AGREED

That the report be noted.

To consider the Executive`s response to the motion presented to Council by the Green Group on single use plastics.