To receive questions from members of the public in accordance with Standing Order No. 12.
Question submitted by Karl Deakin on behalf of Plastic Free Chesterfield:
It is now a year since the Council passed a motion seeking to remove single use plastic from council operations by 2023. This commitment fits hand in glove with the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan. Plastics begin their existence as fossil fuels. Greenhouse gases are then emitted when the fossil fuels are extracted and when they are refined and made into plastic. If plastic use were a country, it would be the fifth largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world (accounting for 3.8% of all emissions).
Plastic Free Chesterfield has continued to receive reports that
single use plastic cups are widely being used at venues such as the
Pomegranate and Queens Park Leisure Centre café.
With this in mind (a) what specific plans does the Council have to
support the reduction of single use plastic across the Borough in
2022 and (b) will the Council now ensure that once any existing
stock of single use plastic is used, only reusable cups are used in
Council operations?
Question submitted by Paul Christopher Stone:
Facing such turbulent times as we do, in today's world. Where is that red line for Councillors and the Council when implementing Government policies?
When do you say, this has gone too far, this is damaging Chesterfield and the People of Chesterfield?
Minutes:
Under Standing Order No. 12, the following questions were asked:
(1)by Karl Deakin of Plastic Free Chesterfield:
It is now a year since the Council passed a motion seeking to remove single use plastic from council operations by 2023. This commitment fits hand in glove with the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan. Plastics begin their existence as fossil fuels. Greenhouse gases are then emitted when the fossil fuels are extracted and when they are refined and made into plastic. If plastic use were a country, it would be the fifth largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world (accounting for 3.8% of all emissions).
Plastic Free Chesterfield has continued to receive reports that
single use plastic cups are widely being used at venues such as the
Pomegranate and Queens Park Leisure Centre café.
With this in mind (a) what specific plans does the Council have to
support the reduction of single use plastic across the Borough in
2022 and (b) will the Council now ensure that once any existing
stock of single use plastic is used, only reusable cups are used in
Council operations?
Councillor Serjeant provided a verbal response firstly outlining the four key actions that the Council had committed to, which were as follows;
1. Undertake a review of the council’s internal use of single-use-plastic to provide a closer estimate of the quantities currently being ordered and used.
2. Where possible, seek to remove single use plastic from council operations by 2023 through engagement with suppliers and switching to alternative products.
3. Encourage and promote plastic free initiatives including the Plastic Free Chesterfield campaign.
4. Offer the support of the Council’s Climate Change Officer in an ex officio capacity on the steering group of Plastic Free Chesterfield.
It was noted that the original commitment related solely to single use plastic, however the scope of the council’s activities had since been expanded considerably. A full review of carbon emissions associated with supply chains was being undertaken, of which single use plastic would be a key consideration. This work would classify the main sources of carbon emissions within the council’s control enabling it to identify changes, source alternatives and minimise use to maximise carbon reduction.
Services across the council had worked to remove single use plastic where possible. For example, using a biodegradable alternative for single use hot drinks cups and only using paper straws and wooden stirrers.
The Covid-19 pandemic and the need for infection control measures at council-run venues had meant that in a small number of situations it had not been possible to remove single use plastic entirely, but the council continued to strive towards this aim – taking a balanced approach informed by appropriate risk assessments.
During the last 12 months the council had supported Plastic Free Chesterfield in several ways including through the regular attendance of the Climate Change Officer at Plastic Free Chesterfield steering group meetings to offer advice and support and engage in discussion on a range of plastic free and wider climate change issues.
The council had also made a significant financial contribution towards the cost of last summer’s Plastic Free Festival and had also promoted the Festival via its social media channels and website, and supported the organisers with advice and support from the markets team.
Throughout the current financial year, the council had also been running a Climate Action Now campaign with a range of content including videos, infographics, key messages, and case studies across its social media channels, website and via Your Chesterfield magazine, which reaches 49,000 households in Chesterfield Borough every quarter. This campaign had raised the profile for a wide range of climate change issues including the importance of reducing the public’s reliance on single use plastic.
(2)By Paul Christopher Stone
Facing such turbulent times as we do, in today's world. Where is that red line for Councillors and the Council when implementing Government policies. When do you say, this has gone too far, this is damaging Chesterfield and the People of Chesterfield.
Councillor Tricia Gilby provided a verbal response explaining that Chesterfield Borough Council was proactive in seeking to influence the development of new legislation and White Papers at an early stage. This included lobbying via sector support organisations and through direct correspondence with Government ministers.
Cllr Gilby explained that the council was also a partner with Derbyshire County Council and several other Derbyshire district / borough councils in Vision Derbyshire, a new collaborative approach to public service reform. A core element of this was the importance of the public sector in Derbyshire speaking with one voice to increase our influence with Government and other key stakeholders.
The council also had a good track record of responding to Government consultation exercises; expressing support where there was value, articulating concerns where there was risk and suggesting potential mitigations or alternatives where it made sense to do so.
Once legislation had been passed the council always sought to maximise the benefits and minimise negative impacts on its communities. A recent example of this had been supporting residents impacted by Universal Credit changes. Strong partnerships had been developed with local advice agencies to help ensure residents had access to the highest quality independent benefits advice, assistance, and representation. Practical support had also been provided such as access to computers to make claims and advising on and processing claims for Council Tax Support and Discretionary Housing Payments.