Jonathan Dixon
Dilys Cluer
27 Feb 08
The following motions were proposed in January by Green Party councillors Dilys Cluer and Jonathan Dixon.
Dilys Cluer, Green Party, on Scarbourough Borough Council, says: "We do feel we have achieved something significant this week and that further work will actually lead to things happening 'on the ground."
Scarborough Borough Council passed the following resolutions on 25th February:
On Plastic carrier bags:- to issue a public statement to the effect that the Borough Council intends to become a plastic bag free zone through the following measures:
- the development of a program of promotional activities including the sale of low cost “bags for life” through Customer First Centres and at Corporate roadshows as appropriate;
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to work with all retailers to promote alternatives to plastic carrier bags to customers;
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to negotiate a voluntary agreement with retailers to cease issuing free plastic carrier bags.
On Climate Change:
(i) the Council signing up to the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change;
(ii) appropriate arrangements being made to publicise this decision and to inform the Government of Scarborough Borough Council’s commitment; and
(iii) the issue of Climate Change be referred to the established Carbon Trust group to consider and make recommendations
The use of plastic carrier bags is to be referred to the Recycling working group.
These decisions are quite a step forward for the council while not actually being very revolutionary! Were it not for Green Party motions there is no telling how long it would have taken to sign the Nottingham Declaration!
Greens did not get all we wanted though.
We wanted them to write to the government asking for a national tax on single-use plastic bags, but some councillors spoke out strongly against another tax in spite of our explanations of its value in this case.
Greens also promoted the idea of a new group to consider the climate change issue rather than the motion to refer it to the Carbon Trust group.
As it stands, the resolution means further delay as the Carbon Trust group is likely to say Council needs such a further group anyway!
