Issue - meetings

To adopt the sustainable products policy (report of the Climate Change and Environment Officer enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Climate Change and Environment Officer, which requested adoption of the Sustainable Products Policy.

The following points were raised:

·         Members commented that the Council needed to ensure that it operated in a sustainable way in its day-to-day operations.

·         Members questioned how the success of the Policy would be monitored or measured.

DECISION:

That the Sustainable Products Policy be adopted, in line with the Council’s commitments to resource and waste management, and mitigation and adaption to Climate Change.

(Other options considered:

·         Not to adopt the Sustainable Products Policy however, local authorities have a legal obligation to produce plans and policies to adapt to and mitigate climate change in line with the provisions of the Climate Change Act 2008. This policy will assist the Council in achieving our net zero targets in line with the Climate Change Strategy, alongside other co-benefits;

Reasons for decision:

·         South Holland District Council is committed to ensuring a sustainable approach to resource management and adoption of this policy is listed as a corporate priority in the South and East Lincolnshire Council’s Partnership Annual Delivery Plan. The Sustainable Products Policy will assist us in establishing practices for a more sustainable procurement future, thereby supporting us in meeting our net zero targets and reducing the environmental impact of our operational activities, in line with the Climate Change Strategy). 

To recommend adoption of the Sustainable Products Policy (report of the Climate Change and Environment Officer enclosed).

The Panel gave consideration to the report of the Climate Change and Environment Officer to recommend adoption of the Sustainable Products Policy.

The Climate Change and Environment Officer and the Climate Change and Environment Manager were in attendance to present the report and answer member questions.

The Climate Change and Environment Officer introduced the report by stating that the draft Sustainable Products Policy, developed by ELDC, was listed as a Corporate Priority in the S&ELCP Annual Delivery Plan.  

The policy detailed the partnership’s commitment that the procurement of single use products be discontinued as far as possible, and that the best alternative solution be sought where single use products could not be completely eradicated. The policy would support the partnership in achieving net zero targets in line with the Climate Change Strategy.

The policy outlined the required actions to ensure:

• that a sustainable approach to waste management was taken; and
• that procurement practices were carefully considered.

Members considered the draft Sustainable Products Policy and made the following comments:

• Members welcomed the policy and thanked officers for their work.
• Members stated that future frameworks needed to encourage contractors to look at their own policies with due consideration of this area integral to the tender process.
• Members stated that single use product alternatives needed to demonstrate ‘value for money’.
• Members stated that the purpose of single use products needed to be ascertained when alternatives were sought - some were utilised for health and safety reasons.

The Climate Change and Environment Officer thanked members for their comments and confirmed that the Sustainable Products Policy did not seek to outlaw specifics but rather sought a conscientious approach to decision-making, from procurement to disposal.

AGREED:

a)    That the comments of the Panel be noted; and

b)    That the Panel recommends adoption of the Sustainable Products Policy to Cabinet in line with the Council’s commitments to resource and waste management.