CAMELFORD Town Council has pledged to get behind, and drive forward, the plastic free movement in the town.

Mayor, Rob Rotchell, brought the issue to the table at the recent meeting of the town council.

He said that although he supports the campaign against plastics in the ocean, he felt the town was not active in trying to cut down on items such as plastic straws and bags.

“It just seems nobody is driving it forward,” he said, and added that there was an opportunity for the town council to make steps to encourage the use of disposable cups, straws and bags within outlets in the town.

“As a council, I think it will be one of those community spirit things that we do about pushing the recycling agenda, saying to the cafés, if we’ve got plastic cups, there are other options available. It’s an opportunity for us to take the lead.”

Cllr Claire Hewlett, who is able the North Cornwall spokesperson for the Green Party, said: “I’m delighted to hear you say this. Last week I met with a couple of ladies who think strongly about this. We jointly set up Plastic Free Camelford, which will work through certain criteria to achieve Plastic Free Town status.”

Cllr Hewlet said that within that criteria, the group needs to get the town council on board, and they have already spoken to a couple of businesses.

Cllr Rotchell suggested that the council asks the ladies to make a presentation to the council in order for the council to know what it means in terms of the authority’s input. Then the council will be able to formally support the initiative.

“I’m not an expert,” Cllr Rotchell said, but added that he had paid £2.50 for an internal coffee cup at County Hall (Cllr Rotchell is also the Liberal Democrat Ward member for Camelford).

But Cllr Andy Shaw said: “As a member of the public, I’m not going to carry a cup in my back pocket.”

Cllr Rotchell replied: “If you see some of the damage this stuff does.”

The council resolved to invite the Plastic Free Camelford members to the April 5 meeting to give a presentation.