Agenda item

To consider the following Motion included on the agenda at the request of Councillor Adrian Owens on behalf of the Our West Lancashire Group:

"Recent research shows eight million metric tonnes of plastic ends up in the world's oceans each year, endangering marine life while it is estimated that plastics in landfill can take hundreds of years to decompose. 

300 million tons of plastic are produced around the globe each year. Of this, 50% is for disposable applications such as packaging.

The Government has previously considered a possible tax on single use plastics, but this Council believes that we should eliminate their use as soon as possible wherever practicable.

Council therefore resolves to:

• Develop a robust strategy to make West Lancashire Borough Council a 'single-use plastic free' authority by the end of 2020 including an end to the purchase and procurement of SUPs through the Council's supply chain and the transition to the use of compostable bags for litter collection by the Council’s Clean and Green teams;
• End the provision of SUP products such as cups and cutlery in council buildings and at council run events;
• Work with tenants and operators in commercial properties owned by West Lancashire Borough Council to encourage the phasing out of SUP cups, bottles, cutlery and straws;
• Encourage the Borough's businesses, organisations and residents to go 'single- use plastic free' working with best practice partners to provide business support, practical guidelines and advice to help local businesses transition from SUPs to sustainable alternatives."

The following Motion, included on the agenda at the request of Councillor Adrian Owens, on behalf of the Our West Lancs Group, was considered:

"Recent research shows eight million metric tonnes of plastic ends up in the world's oceans each year, endangering marine life while it is estimated that plastics in landfill can take hundreds of years to decompose. 

300 million tons of plastic are produced around the globe each year. Of this, 50% is for disposable applications such as packaging.

The Government has previously considered a possible tax on single use plastics, but this Council believes that we should eliminate their use as soon as possible wherever practicable.

Council therefore resolves to:

• Develop a robust strategy to make West Lancashire Borough Council a 'single-use plastic free' authority by the end of 2020 including an end to the purchase and procurement of SUPs through the Council's supply chain and the transition to the use of compostable bags for litter collection by the Council’s Clean and Green teams;
• End the provision of SUP products such as cups and cutlery in council buildings and at council run events;
• Work with tenants and operators in commercial properties owned by West Lancashire Borough Council to encourage the phasing out of SUP cups, bottles, cutlery and straws;
• Encourage the Borough's businesses, organisations and residents to go 'single- use plastic free' working with best practice partners to provide business support, practical guidelines and advice to help local businesses transition from SUPs to sustainable alternatives."

An Amendment to the Motion, as circulated prior to the meeting, was accepted by the mover and seconder of the Motion and with the consent of the meeting.

A vote was taken on the Altered Motion, which was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:     A.     That whilst this Council accepts that the use of single use plastics is a major global issue, it also recognises that this is simply one environmental issue out of an abundance which we all have a responsibility to address.  This was reflected in the actions of July 2019 when, following the IPCC Report which declared a Climate Emergency, Cllr Dereli submitted a Climate Change Emergency motion, which saw this council sign a joint pledge (with other councils).  Following this, the Council has started to develop a Carbon Neutrality Plan with the aim to reduce and off-set the carbon footprint of West Lancashire Borough Council in its day to day activities, carrying on the work already started through the Solar PV installations on residential and commercial premises, the removal of single use plastic cups, and the installation of electric vehicle charging points at council car parks.

B.     That this Council notes the development of the Carbon Neutrality Plan and recommends that the following actions in relation to the elimination of Single Use Plastics, be considered as part of that plan, with input from members when the report is presented in Spring 2020:

1.      The development of a robust strategy to make West Lancashire Borough Council a 'single-use plastic free' authority by the end of 2020 including an end to the purchase and procurement of SUPs through the Council's supply chain and the transition to the use of compostable bags for litter collection by the Council’s Clean and Green teams;

2.      End the provision of SUP products such as cups and cutlery in council buildings and at council run events;

3.      Work with tenants and operators in commercial properties owned by West Lancashire Borough Council to encourage the phasing out of SUP cups, bottles, cutlery and straws;

4.      Encourage the Borough's businesses, organisations and residents to go 'single- use plastic free' working with best practice partners to provide business support, practical guidelines and advice to help local businesses transition from SUPs to sustainable alternatives.