Report by Chief Executive (attached) and to consider the following notice of motion referred by Council on 13 January 2021:

“Council resolves to:

·       Promote participation in litter prevention activities to members of the public, community, faith and youth groups, and businesses through our social media, website and existing email-outs to partners.

·       Ask the Strategy & Resources Committee to examine the merits of becoming a local authority member of the Keep Britain Tidy Network, and identify which of the campaign’s initiatives, including Love Parks and Charity Bins, could be introduced in the District.

·       Ask the Chief Executive to write to national supermarket chains with stores in this District asking them to consider North Devon as the location for a future trial of a reverse vending machines.

·       Promote take up of the DEFRA voluntary code amongst our fast food businesses and local business partnerships and seek their sponsorship for the introduction of a Charity Bin scheme and for public education programmes.”

The Committee considered a report by the Chief Executive (circulated previously) regarding the Litter Strategy and the notice of motion referred by Council on 13 January 2021.

The Lead Member for the Environment highlighted the following:

·       The Litter Strategy had been influenced and supported guidance issued by WRAP “Binfrastructure – the right bin in the right place”.

·       A funding opportunity had arisen for the procurement of smart bins and the Council was required to have a strategy in place prior to submitting a bid for funding.

·       The strategy aimed to change the behaviour of people, make it easy to dispose of litter and improve enforcement.

·       The Strategy contained defined objectives which were linked to actions.

·       Some elements of the Notice of Motion referred by Council could be achieved as part of the strategy.

In response to questions, the Chief Executive advised that the strategy provided a framework.  The action plan would detail how the strategy would be achieved and delivered.  The Council would undertake a litter pick along the North Devon Link Road, but it was anticipated that this would be delayed to later in the year due to resources available.

RESOLVED:

(a) that the Litter Strategy be approved;

(b) that the Chief Executive be delegated authority, after consultation with the relevant Lead Member and relevant ward members, to adopt Action Plans for the whole District or particular areas, targeting littering of different types; and

(c)  that the notice of motion be referred to the Climate Action Team for consideration.