I move amendment No. 27b:
In page 9, subsection (1)(c), line 29, after "taken by" to insert "each section of".
I tabled this amendment to draw attention to the fact that local authorities, due to the structures under which they operate, are responsible to different degrees in each section for what we are trying to achieve with this Bill. Section 11(1)(c), as amended, would state:
specify the measures or arrangements that are to be undertaken by each section of the local authority in order to attain the objectives of the [litter management or litter eradication] plan, and.
The purpose is to draw attention to the responsibilities of each section. For instance, the roads section will look after the road sweepers and the environment section will look after other aspects of litter, open spaces, etc.
I want the local authority to be very specific about responsibility rather than just provide for a general aspirational plan because the public will find it difficult to relate to each section.
As things stand, it is difficult enough for the public to understand the local authority system. If a person telephones the county council and wants to talk about the sweepers, he or she is switched to the roads department. If a person wants to discuss litter, he or she is switched to another department. If a person wants to discuss litter bins, the department to which he or she is referred depends on where the litter bins are situated. This needs to be clarified as much for the sake of the public as for the local authority.