A COUNCIL's new Labour executive is set to reject a call to audit its use of single use plastics.

In December Burnley's full council debated at motion from its two Green Party councillors calling for an in-depth assessment it of all such items used within the council estate and the publication of its the results to the public.

It also called for annual audits of the councils’ use of single use plastics (SUP) and annual report by April 30 each year along with action to end their procurement and use - including (but not limited to) cups, cutlery, water bottles, stirrers and straws - within all council-run operations premises and event.

Earlier this month Labour, which lost control of Burnley Council in May last year, regained power after the collapse of the coalition which had run the borough in the interim.

A report to its first executive in charge tomorrow night recommends: "An in-depth audit with annual update and reporting of all SUP use in the council would incur costs. An estimate of approximately 30 days would be required to initially scope use across the council, including review of associated contracts and purchasing histories to verify the extent.

"Alternatively, a desktop review focusing on ‘main consumers’ could be less resource intensive; but would not provide a comprehensive analysis.

"With limited resources available, and other priorities, attention and activity is best focused on continuing the actions already being taken council-wide to address SUP."

Green Party leader Cllr Andy Fewings said: "This is disappointing, an outrageous abdication of responsibility."