Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Visitor Economy, Historic & Natural Environment and Climate Change presented the report which provided an update on the progress that had been made towards fulfilling the Council’s commitment to phase out single use plastics by 2023. Many of the actions from the plan had been completed, however, some had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report highlighted the achievements that had been made. There had been an increase in litter related to PPE during the pandemic and other single use plastics, such as those used in restaurants, had increased, however, when the time was right, the progress that had been made previously could be brought back.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report and stated that work with partners, including schools and parish and town councils, was vital to reduce plastic use across the Borough as a whole.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat / Independent Group asked for clarification if all waste in the Borough was sent to be incinerated rather than to landfill and recycling was dealt with in the UK, which was confirmed to be the case. The Leader of the Conservative Group stated that he was fully supportive of the strategy.

RESOLVED that:

a)    The progress to date with removing single-use plastics from the Council’s operations and activities and replacing them with sustainable alternatives as identified in Appendix 1 of the report be noted and the new actions focussing on the leadership and engagement with the Community to work towards Telford and Wrekin’s Plastic Free Borough Status be approved;

b)   The reporting of single-use plastics in Telford & Wrekin as part of the Climate Change Becoming Carbon Neutral Action Plan which will be reported to Cabinet in February 2022 be approved.