Issue - meetings

Consideration of recommendations of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee of 5 November 2025 in respect of a new guidance note to support organisers to minimise waste and remove single use plastics at events on Council-owned land.

Consideration of the recommendations of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of a proposed new guidance now (attached at Annex 1) to support event organisers in aligning their events with the Borough Council’s objective to remove single use plastics from their operations.

The difficulties in collecting waste from recreation grounds and the issues around contamination were discussed.  However, it was also recognised that behaviours had changed and recycling on public land could potentially be considered for the future.

On the grounds of encouraging greater use of refills and reducing waste from Council owned sites, Cllr Keers proposed, Cllr Betts seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the proposed guidance note (attached at Annex 1) be endorsed.

(Decision Notice D250127CAB)

Consideration of the recommendations of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of a proposed new guidance now (attached at Annex 1) to support event organisers in aligning their events with the Borough Council’s objective to remove single use plastics from their operations.

The difficulties in collecting waste from recreation grounds and the issues around contamination were discussed.  However, it was also recognised that behaviours had changed and recycling on public land could potentially be considered for the future.

On the grounds of encouraging greater use of refills and reducing waste from Council owned sites, Cllr Keers proposed, Cllr Betts seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That the proposed guidance note (attached at Annex 1) be endorsed.

This report seeks endorsement of a proposed new guidance note (Annex 1) for event organisers regarding their waste management responsibilities and provides background information regarding work with contractors to minimise waste and remove single use plastics.

The report of the Chief Executive sought endorsement of a proposed new guidance note, attached at Annex 1, to support event organisers in aligning their events with the Borough Council’s objective to remove single use plastics from their operations.  Subject to Member approval, the guidance note could be issued to all event organisers for the 2026 event programme.

It was noted that the guidance would place requirements on event organisers to be fully responsible for waste, to separate the collection of recyclables and general waste and to operate a reusable cup deposit scheme.

Support would be provided in the first year through an allocation of £5,000 from the Waste and Recycling Budget to purchase re-usable cups and additional bins for waste separation.  These resources would be available for loan to smaller community event organisers to help them manage waste without incurring extra costs.

On the grounds of encouraging greater use of refills and reducing waste from Council owned sites, the initiative as proposed received strong support from the Committee.

RECOMMENDED*:  That the proposed guidance note, attached at Annex 1, be endorsed.

*Recommended to Cabinet