Decision details

(i)           to note the consultation undertaken with the Disability Equity Partnership (DEP) and other suggested consultees and the responses received;

(ii)          to instruct Chief Officers to request that all ALEOs who currently purchase fully flexible plastic drinking straws, purchase the identified Polylactic Acid alternative with immediate effect;

(iii)         to instruct the Head of Commercial and Procurement Services to amend the disposables suppliers purchase catalogues under their control, to remove fully flexible plastic drinking straws;

(iv)         to instruct Chief Officers to install simple “Drinking straws available if required” signs at all points of sale where liquids are available for purchase; the design and placement of these signs will be subject to further consultation with the DEP; and

(v)          to instruct Chief Officers to undertake consultation with the DEP, prior to the removal of any other single use plastic item, where the removal of that item may be discriminatory to persons with disabilities.