Unanimous agreement was marked by a good-natured rumble of content from around the chamber at West Lothian Council in a debate on cutting single use plastics from council premises, writes Stuart Sommerville.
A motion by Conservative councillor Chris Horne calling on the council to do more to stop single-use plastic cups and straws was met by an amendment from Labour detailing what has already taken place and an indication that a progress report is coming back to council in January.
Councillor Horne told the meeting: “I am asking the council to continue to take a lead on reducing the amount of single-use plastics and looking for a report so we can make some kind of informed decisions.”
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Councillor Horne also asked the council to give clear signage for where biodegradable cups and any new biodegradable cutlery should be placed in waste containers.`
Councillor Tom Conn produced the amendment outlining work that has already been done in the removal of plastic straws and bottled water from schools, replaced by water dispensers, and the introduction of biodegradable cutlery at West Calder High School.
Addressing his amendment Councillor Conn said: “We are on the same page. The only difference here is we are setting down a timetable.”
Tory group leader Damian Timson said the only difference between the motion and amendment was the date of the report back, and Councillor Horne said he would be happy to accept this.
