Campaign posters are set to be plastered on lampposts across Dumbarton and the Vale ahead of May’s council elections – despite concerns about the environmental impact.

A motion brought before full council on Wednesday by council leader SNP councillor Jonathan McColl asked members to permit political posters on public street furniture for all future elections, including this year’s local government election. 

Despite concerns about their impact it was narrowly approved – making West Dunbartonshire only the fourth council area in Scotland to allow the practice.

Posters can be displayed from April 1 each election year and must be down no later than two weeks after polling day. 

It comes following the decision to allow political posters to be implemented on “street furniture” in the run up to the Scottish Government elections one year into the Covid-19 pandemic.  

Labour members argued against the decision, saying it would create plastic waste in the middle of a climate emergency.

Councillor Lawrence O’Neill said: “The council leader has just alluded to the previous decision as a one off during Covid to highlight the Scottish parliamentary elections. 

“As it stands only three of 32 local authorities permit political posters – the Shetlands, the Highlands and the Western Isles. That tells you a big story about how the public see them and how local authorities have to deal with them.

“In a climate emergency and an effort to meet net zero by 2045, to bring forward a motion that allows plastic posters, cable ties, and transport to venues to put them up, for a minimum period of 50 days, is remarkable. 

“This flies in the face of everything we are doing to tackle the climate emergency. In terms of the environment and how plastic breaks down, I find it remarkable that the council leader is moving this.

“This is corrugated plastic sheeting that will affect not just our generation but generations to come.”

Councillors agreed that while there were environmental issues with the plan those wanting to display posters should look for a biodegradable option.

SNP councillor Diane Docherty said: “I get all the issues with the environment but I will be going out my way to source biodegradable pole ties.

“There are other ways to do this instead of using un-reusable plastic. We should find a way to display posters which don’t impact the environment.”

Cllr McColl added: “There were no issues after the last election or on polling day either. In terms of the climate emergency, I do agree with an awful lot about what was said about waste etc but the thing is political parties already have these posters.

“We are not going to be producing new ones; we all have them stored in garages and lofts but they are being reused and not going to landfill."