Agenda item

Cathy Knubley, Head of Waste Services, and Nathan Welch, ASB and Environment Manager, provided the Committee with information to aid the review into littering and fly tipping within the Borough.

Fly tipping was confirmed as being distinct from littering, in that fly tipping usually involved the deliberate aim of disposing of waste material unlawfully. The number of reported incidences of fly tipping was confirmed to be decreasing, but the volume of material being dumped was increasing. This was mostly due to organised crime, though a large proportion of fly tipped waste was due to elements within the Traveller community.

Littering involved the leaving of waste material from a person or vehicle, and as a result, gave rise to the perception that the Borough was untidy or unsightly. Littering also had implications for the environment, and wildlife. Littering could be domestic waste put out by residents onto the street for collection, but at the wrong time or in the wrong place.

Council resources to address littering and fly tipping included seven ASBET Rapid officers whose job was to deal with fly-tipping Borough-wide, three dedicated Cage Crew van operators who visit the fly tipping hotspot areas within the Borough, the Partnership Tasking team MPS North/South teams, and the Environmental Enforcement Team which consisted of ten officers. ASBET Rapid officers are trained in gathering evidence to review potential prosecution, while the environmental enforcement team predominantly address littering in high streets and public spaces. However, this team can also be tasked on various waste carrier operations in support of the Police, which can involve stopping vehicles carrying waste to ensure that they have the correct documentation and licenses to be conducting that waste carrier operation.

Members sought to gather further information, and asked a number of questions, including:

What was the cost to the Council to clear up littering and fly tipping?

Costs varied, though fees to recently clear three sites totalled £35k, £62k, and 72k, respectively. Cost details for preceding years could be forwarded to the Committee following the meeting.

Were there significant hotspots for littering and fly tipping?

Yes. Littering is mostly within areas of heavy footfall, such as parking areas or shopping areas. Popular fly tipping sites have been identified, with particular sites identified as problem areas due to illegal incursions and the occupation of land. To address this, the Council had secured an interim injunction to protect land from illegal incursions and remove occupiers quickly, to limit potential fly-tipping. Talks are ongoing with the police, with the idea that within three hours of a notified incursion there will be a waste carrier operation at the site, that will stop and search every vehicle going in and out of the site. Vehicles could then potentially be seized, which will have a dramatic impact on offenders.

However, while officers understand the most common locations, and secure the sites as much as possible, if people are determined to gain entry then they will use petrol-driven angle grinders and other such equipment to do so.

Officers are confident that the best way to deal with fly-tipping is while it is in transit before it is dumped, as often it has been cleansed of identifying data, making dumped wasted impossible to trace. Therefore, resources are being expanded to increase the number of ID checks and other measures. A further update on the success of these new tactics can be brought to the Committee at a later date.

Would larger, clearer signage (including details of the penalties for offenders), or a change to the design of refuse bins, help dissuade people from fly tipping/littering or using bins for domestic waste?

Signage could be reviewed, though signs are in place at some sites and on bins, and issues remain. Regarding bin design, experience has shown that smaller bins would result in rubbish piled up outside the bin, while larger bins would simply be filled. Bin emptying is dependant on location, with remote areas collected weekly, and high traffic areas collected throughout each day. If a bin is often reported to be full, then the frequency of its collections could be reviewed.

What powers did the Council have to prevent dumping in private alleyways?

Firstly, it would be necessary to identify all those responsible for that private land. Once identified, those responsible would then be served a notice requiring the waste to be cleared. If not cleared, the Council would carry out the works and issue an invoice for reimbursement.  Currently, those responsible would have 21 days from the notice to resolve the issue. If not resolved, or and the Council is not allowed on the land, then the Council would seek to obtain a  warrant of entry. If the material was hazardous, such as asbestos, the Council has powers to carry out quicker clean-up operations. However, each case would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the Council’s actions were correct in law.

How successful was CCTV in combating fly tipping? Could Councillors be of help with identifying persons captured on CCTV?

CCTV can be used as a deterrent, though prosecutions can be difficult if the footage does not include identifying features such as vehicle details, etc. An upgrade of fixed CCTV cameras had taken place, and the quality of image was much higher, but the cameras were still dependant on proper siting and adequate lighting to be effective. Regarding Councillors helping to identify those persons captured on CCTV, this could potentially be of use though would be subject to legal and data protection approval.

Does the Council have a standard letter that Councillors and residents could put to people that are known to be persistent offenders?

Not currently, but this could be produced.

Has the Council’s bulk waste collection service had any impact on reducing fly tipping?

The service has proven very popular, but despite this, the volume of fly tipped waste has continued to increase. A regular bulk collection day could be considered (as opposed to residents arranging bespoke collections), but this could have the potential for areas to be designated as ‘waste areas’ which could upset residents (particularly if these areas were close to homes, etc.)

Were there any plans to introduce recycling to flats?

While recycling was a complicated issue, officers were keen to provide recycling to every property in the Borough, regardless of whether it was a flat or a house, and to that end, the matter was currently being looked into.

Members highlighted the importance of learning from other local authorities who had been successful in combating littering and fly tipping. In addition, it was suggested that further efforts could be made to highlight the issues and engage and educate residents of the costs and impact of littering and fly tipping, including liaising with traveller groups, schools, local businesses, and the like. Officers advised that they were looking to begin a campaign focussed on having pride within one’s local area, which would involve engaging with schools and other groups. Further updates on the campaign could be provided to the Committee as the campaign progresses.

The need to engage with young people and encourage them to act as advocates for their environment, and by extension highlight the importance of proper waste management to their parents, was highlighted. The potential for increased use of social media and other youth targeted platforms was also recommended, as well as the use of clear messaging in multiple languages (where appropriate).

RESOLVED: 

1.    That the information provided be noted;

2.    That details of the cost of addressing littering and fly tipping in recent years be forwarded to the Committee; and

3.    That officers draft a standard letter that Councillors and residents could put to people that are known to be persistent offenders.