COUNCIL chiefs have pledged to reduce the amount of so-called ‘single-use’ plastic bottles at the Civic Centre as part of a year of promises which includes a freeze in the authority’s share of the Council Tax.
Wychavon District Council chiefs agreed 14 new promises for the year ahead and froze Council Tax for the Wychavon section of the bill. This will mean an average band D property will pay just £120.08 a year for Wychavon services.
Single-use plastics or disposable plastics, are used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These items are things like plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging.
Among the promises is a pledge to work with local groups to set up multi-sports hubs for Droitwich, Evesham and Pershore as well as extra support for people facing Universal Credit and those at risk of becoming homeless.
More funding for apprenticeships as well as a bid to improve opportunities for green travel with more car charging points and more cycle routes across the district are also included.
Council chiefs also hope to install adult changing places for disabled and older people in public toilets in Broadway, Droitwich, Evesham and Pershore by the end of 2019.
A village of culture competition will be trialled for the next three years in a bid to boost rural communities while a major blueprint to promote tourism and increase overnight stays in the area will also be drawn up.
Council leader Coun Linda Robinson, said: “On top of the freeze to Council Tax and the exciting new promises for the year ahead, we felt it was important to make a commitment to reducing our use of single-use plastics as a council.”
“2018/19 is set to be a really exciting year for us. We’re freezing Council Tax without sacrificing services and we’ve got ambitious promises. It certainly is an exciting year ahead.”
