ENVIRONMENT Secretary Michael Gove could get an invite to the Forest with a view to making it a test area for deposits on plastic bottles.

The Forest of Dean District Council overwhelmingly supported the principle of a deposit scheme.

But the cross-party consensus broke down at a suggestion the council “congratulate” Mr Gove on looking at such a scheme.

A motion supporting a deposit scheme was put to the council by Cabinet member for Environment Cllr Chris McFarling, who said it could save any local authority adopting it between £62,000 and £495,000.

Cllr McFarling (Green, Newland and St Briavels) said that while walking his dog in woods near Cinderford recently, he filled four large carrier bags with plastic bottles, drinks cans and sweet wrappers – and he did so regularly.

He said: “What discerning people would not want to enjoy a litter-free environment?

“This motion is intended to support a positive change in our litter behaviour and an appreciable financial saving for the citizens of the Forest of Dean and a significant benefit to

our natural environment and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

“If this is not introduced nationally (I suggest) that this council invites the minister to visit the Forest of Dean to discuss the possibility of the district becoming a pilot area.

“Recent national campaigns and our own hubbub initiative has further emphasised the harm such litter is having on our public and natural environment, our tourism attractiveness and the associated costs to local authorities as we try to clean up with ever-diminishing funding.”

Cllr Bevan said many bottles ended up on the buses run by his company.

He added: “I would welcome a deposit scheme because they wouldn’t end up in my bin.”

Cllr McFarling’s original motion stated: “This council congratulates the Minister for the Environment, Michael Gove, on his initiative to look at introducing a plastic bottle return scheme.”

But Labour councillor Bruce Hogan (Lydbrook and Ruardean) said they should urge Mr Gove to act rather than congratulate him.

That did not find favour with Conservative councillor Len Lawton (Newent Central) who said the minister should be congratulated on what had been done and urged to take further action.

He said: “I think congratulations are in order – it is important to note the steps being taken.

“It is a worldwide issue and we are taking a big step ourselves.”

But Cllr McFarling backed Cllr Hogan’s amendment saying: “Although I initially suggested congratulations, he’s just doing what he should be doing.”

Latest figures show an additional five million plastic bottles were put out for the council’s roadside recycling collections last year.