Issue - meetings

Notice of the attached Motion has been submitted in accordance with Standing Order number 10(2). The Council’s attention is drawn to Standing Order number 10, which deals with the disposal of Motions.

The Motion is proposed by Councillor Paul Wharton and seconded by Councillor Claire Hamilton.

It was moved by Councillor Paul Wharton and seconded by Councillor Claire Hamilton and following debate:

RESOLVED: (Unanimously):

Reducing single use plastic (SUP) use in the Borough of South Ribble

Recent research shows, eight million metric tonnes of plastic ends up in the world's oceans each year, endangering marine life. There is also a growing understanding of the risks posed to human health by toxic chemicals present in plastics.

Six months after the introduction of the 5p bag charge, use of single-use plastics bags had already dropped by 85%. 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 announced a consultation into a possible tax on single use plastics, but this Council believes that we should eliminate their use as soon as possible.

Council therefore resolves to:

·         Develop a robust strategy to make South Ribble Council a 'single-use plastic free' authority by the end of 2019 including an end to the purchase and procurement of SUPs through the Council's supply chain;

·         End the provision of SUP products such as cups and cutlery in council buildings;

·         Investigate the possibility of requiring pop up food and drink vendors at Council run events to avoid SUPs as a condition of contract

·         Work with tenants and operators in commercial properties owned by South Ribble 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 explore the creation of a 'plastic free network,' that could provide business support, practical guidelines and advice to help local businesses transition from SUPs to sustainable alternatives.

Notice of the attached Motion has been submitted in accordance with Standing Order number 10(2). The Council’s attention is drawn to Standing Order number 10(4), which deals with the disposal of Motions.

The Motion is proposed by Councillor Paul Wharton and seconded by Councillor Claire Hamilton.

Reducing single use plastic (SUP) use in the Borough of South Ribble

With the agreement of the Proposer of the Notice of Motion (Councillor Paul Wharton), consideration of this matter was deferred until the next scheduled Council meeting on 21 March 2018.