Agenda item

Joanne Howells, Team Leader – ASB and Environment Team, introduced the report. The Select Committee was advised that new innovative methods to address the issue of fly-tipping were being explored as fly-tipping was prevalent across the Borough. The Team was working with colleagues in the CCTV room and new intelligence packages were being used to identify repeat offenders and take enforcement action. In one recent high-profile case, a prolific offender had been jailed for 24 months which was a good result. It was recognised that education was key to raise residents’ understanding of how to store and handle waste correctly, recycling options etc; enforcement was always the last option.

Members recognised that there was a seasonal fly-tipping problem in Brunel Ward linked to students moving in and out of university accommodation and enquired whether officers worked with the CCTV team to identify offenders. The Committee heard that, since students were transient, any items left behind and subsequently fly-tipped became the landlords’ responsibility who would be liable to enforcement. Officers engaged with landlords in an attempt to address this problem. CCTV and social media were used to assist in identifying offenders; once identified, enforcement action would be taken – a fixed penalty notice would be issued in the first instance and repeat offenders could be taken to Court.

In response to further questions from the Committee, it was confirmed that the 14-day rule applied to all estate agent boards placed on private property in Hillingdon.  At the request of the Committee, it was agreed that officers would confirm how many of the 74 court cases processed by the ASB Team since September 2021 related to non-payment of fines for estate agent boards.

Councillors observed that fly-tipping hot spots seemed to vary depending on the siting of CCTV cameras; additional cameras would be welcomed in Yiewsley to address the antisocial behaviour issues there. It was also noted that industrial sites were disposing of waste into local canals, rivers, parks and streets and this was a matter of concern.

Members enquired how the Council could support private landowners and estates experiencing ASB and fly-tipping problems. It was agreed that this was very challenging; the Council was obliged to charge when clearing fly-tipped waste from private property and identifying the offenders was difficult. It was recognised that fly-tipping was a commercial business for some offenders; boroughwide operations were undertaken in an attempt to identify vehicles used in fly-tipping offences.

In response to further questions from the Committee, it was confirmed that the Environment Enforcement Team proactively took action to locate and remove flyposting. Letters were sent to residents to raise awareness and understanding of what was acceptable. Cameras acted as a deterrent and officers worked in conjunction with the ASB teams in Ealing, Harrow and other neighbouring boroughs. Officers wore body cameras when speaking to offenders and the evidence would be admissible in Court. However, it was noted that identifying offenders was challenging. Innovative ways to tackle the problem were being explored.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Residents’ Services Select Committee noted the content of the report and sought clarification from officers as necessary;

2.    That the Team Leader – ASB and Environment Team be requested to confirm how many of the 74 court cases processed by the ASB Team since September 2021 related to non-payment of fines for estate agent boards.