Issue - meetings

The report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods.

The Environmental Health Manager presented the report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods which provided the Group with an update of the work undertaken by the Council and its partners to reduce the use of single use plastics. It was noted that since it was resolved on the 7 December for the Council to tackle its use of single use plastics an updated action plan had been completed which identified the detailed tasks across four theme areas:

a)    Audit of the single use plastic currently used across the Council in normal council activities

b)    Identifying ways of seeking support from key partners and contractors to encourage them to commit to support similar actions

c)     Run relevant communications and campaigns to influence and challenge behaviour of residents and businesses in the Borough on these issues

d)    Identify how we prohibit the use of lanterns and helium balloons in Council assets and parks following good practice from other agencies such as Nottinghamshire County Council

The Environmental Health Manager delivered a presentation to the Group which covered:

·       The Council Motion

·       The Action Plan

·       Refill Rushcliffe

·       What’s Next

Members of the Group raised concerns as a result of their visit to Veolia Materials Recovery Facility regarding the types of plastic that the facility could process for recycling. Members of the Group advised that while they were aware that the Borough Council was not responsible for the recycling contract it was suggested that Nottinghamshire County Council should look again their recycling contract with Veolia to ensure it was fit for purpose. Members of the Group requested that a letter be sent to Nottinghamshire County Council which expressed their concerns which had arisen during their visit to the Veolia Materials Recovery Facility.

Members of the Group were pleased with the implementation of Refill Rushcliffe scheme which allowed residents to refill their reusable water bottles for free from different businesses and facilities within the Borough. The Group were informed that posters had been placed in windows to inform residents where they would be able to refill their water bottles and that the Council were hoping to target rural areas within the Borough with the initiative.  

The Group were informed by the Principal Community Development Officer that the Council had stopped purchasing balloons for events such as Lark in the Park and that traders were discouraged to use single use plastics. It was suggested that the Council should write to supermarkets to discourage them from selling balloons. The Executive Manager – Communities noted that national supermarkets were taking action on the national agenda to reduce single use plastics and that it was instead the Borough Council’s aim to tackle single use plastics by influencing local businesses and residents.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods be noted.

b)    a letter be sent to Nottinghamshire County Council expressing the concerns of the Group their regarding the input specification for Veolia Materials Recovery Facility.