Issue - meetings

The Committee gave consideration a report which sought to provide a response to the Full Council Motion requesting consideration be given to becoming a member of Keep Britain Tidy and implementing the DEFRA Voluntary Code of

Conduct. Members were informed that the Voluntary Code of Conduct enabled a framework and agreement to be put in place between authorities and businesses that contributed to litter generated by fast food or food on the go. The framework was entirely voluntary and no business could be mandated to sign up to it. It was suggested that Officers further investigated the resource required to implement the DEFRA Voluntary Code of Conduct for Fast Food Outlets, alongside other work to redefine the way the Council approached environmental crimes. The costs and implications of membership of Keep Britain Tidy were set out in the report and it was explained that, at this stage, it was suggested that the Council did not become members of Keep Britain Tidy but continued to support their campaigns across the district.

Members supported the suggested approach, however, in recognition of the impact of the Keep Britain Tidy symbol, Members enquired as to whether the council could develop their own communications or branding to help share the message. Members also highlighted that often, littering was not the fault of fast food outlets, who often provided litter bins on or near their premises, rather it was customers who chose to litter, for example throwing empty food packaging out of car windows as they drove. It was noted that there was an increasing emphasis on producers to reduce packaging and improve recyclability of packaging.

With widespread support, and having been moved and seconded, it was unanimously

            RESOLVED that

a)    further consideration be given as to whether to implement the DEFRA Voluntary Code of Conduct as part of the broader review of resources in relation to environmental crime; and

b)    this review of the above be presented back to the Prosperous Communities Committee before the end of quarter 2 of the 2022/2023 financial year; and

c)    the Council does not become members of Keep Britain Today at this time, but continue to support the campaigns they deliver and encourage other bodies to join.