The environment has been on local government's radar for many years but the new urgency of the ‘climate emergency' has seen the issue rise towards the top of council agendas with many authorities sign up to achieving net zero carbon status, while the Government has published the Environment Bill.

There is much to welcome in the Bill, including the proposed new requirements for producers seeking to reduce waste from their products and to reuse items, redistribute surplus food, and discourage single use plastic items.