Issue - items at meetings

This report outlines the proposal for City of York Council to support a campaign focussed on encouraging people to drink more water from recycled water bottles or cups.

Resolved: (i) That both the “i am reusable” and the “Yorkshire on Tap” initiatives be supported.

Reason: To help reduce single use plastics in the city.

(ii) That officers be asked to review how a wide range of schemes for reusable bottles and cups in the city can be supported and promoted.

Reason: To drive down waste and litter in the city.

(iii) That officers be asked to work with One Planet York partners to co-ordinate the promotion of these initiatives as part of a coherent plan to enhance York’s sustainability.

Reason: To encourage a partnership in line with the council’s values and the principles of One Planet York.

(iv) That officers be asked to organise a follow up meeting for interested parties.

Reason: In order to explore how the council can assist in promoting a city-wide campaign, involving existing initiatives, to reduce single use plastics and the waste that they cause and to encourage people to drink more water.

The Executive Member considered a report which sought approval to support a campaign to encourage people to drink more water from recycled water bottles or cups.

In May 2018 Yorkshire Water, in association with Refill, had launched the ‘Yorkshire on Tap’ initiative. The proposal as outlined in the report was for the council to work with Yorkshire Water on this initiative and host a civic event in the Mansion House to launch the scheme to the media and encourage businesses and residents to pledge their support.

The Executive Member commented that he had not seen the report prior to its publication and that it should have responded more clearly to the motion approved by Full Council in December. He outlined the council’s position as a neutral party willing to lend support to any scheme to reduce waste and invited Mr McGall back to the table to explain more about his i am reusable initiative.

In response to these comments and to matters raised under Public Participation, the officer presenting the report:

· Apologised for the quality of the report and lack of prior engagement with the Executive Member and interested parties.

· Explained that the aim of the proposal was not to set up a new scheme but to work with and raise awareness of existing schemes, to encourage people to drink more water, reduce the use of single use plastics across the city and reduce waste.

· Confirmed that the proposal would be funded from the existing public health campaigns budget.