THE Conservative Group on Redditch Borough Council have announced they will be accepting a challenge put down by the town’s MP Rachel Maclean to go ‘plastic free’ at the town hall.

The MP has already committed her office to becoming plastic free, with members of her team already eliminating the use of single-use plastics, after campaign group Eco n Wise approached her with what it had been doing and challenged her to make a plastic audit of her office, and look towards becoming as plastic free as possible.

Incoming leader of Redditch Council, Matt Dormer, admitted that finding out where single-use plastic is currently in operation would take some time.

“We will need our officers to look at where we are using single-use plastics, why they are being used, and what can be done to switch away from them along with the associated cost and timescales," he said.

"Some of these issues will then need to be considered by the full council or its committees.”

He added: “But I do feel we can make a quick start in some areas, such as the removal of single-use plastic water cups in meetings at the Town Hall. We will be replacing these as soon as possible with good old-fashioned glass.”

Mrs Maclean said: "I am delighted to hear that the Conservatives on Redditch Borough Council are making a strong start as they take control of the authority by accepting my challenge to make the council ‘plastic free’ as soon as possible.”

The Conservatives will formally take control of the council at the Annual General Meeting on Monday, May 21.