Agenda item

Report of the Head of Community Services

The Head of Community Services presented the report to Members and the Community Services Portfolio Holder spoke in support.  A presentation was also given by the Environmental Protection Team Manager and the Waste Services Team Manager.

The Portfolio Holder addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposals.

In reference to the trade waste fly tipping detailed within the report, a Member asked if officers had looked at recycling options for traders to assist with the problem.  The Waste Services Team Manager confirmed that traders were currently offered collections for cardboard and glass recycling only, but officers were looking into other options for the future. 

The level of fly tipping of trade waste was acknowledged, and it was suggested that the reason for this could be down to cheaper waste carriers who collected waste without a licence and then fly tipped to dispose of the waste whilst benefiting from the money received.  It was felt that the fine was not high enough as the people who were running these illegal businesses made a lot of money and did not mind paying a fine when caught, therefore it was not a good enough deterrent. 

Some concern was expressed in relation to the number of incidents of littering/fly tipping compared to the very few numbers of prosecutions.  The Environmental Protection Team Manager explained that due to the more random and sporadic instances of fly tipping, it had become more difficult to establish an offender, however officers were working hard to go through each fly tip to enable prosecutions.  It was noted that it was much more difficult to catch people for dog fouling as it relied on people coming forward with information, but prosecutions of this nature were possible if the evidence was available.   In response to a request, it was agreed to look through historical records to ascertain if there had been any prosecutions for dog fouling in the past.  It was suggested that officers use the Proceeds of Crimes Act, as other local authorities did, to reclaim the money collected rather than issuing a fine.  The Environmental Protection Team Manager explained that it was a standard fine and therefore could not be changed, however, if evidence of organised crime was available then officers would prosecute.  Members were informed that the Proceeds of Crime Act had been used successfully in the past for planning enforcement, so it would be used if the case allowed.  It was requested that this additional information be included within the strategy.  The Head of Community Services agreed to include the information within the action plan.

A discussion was had on the use of cameras as a deterrent for fly tipping and officers confirmed that funding had been received for more cameras around the district.  Although success had already been achieved, officers were looking at more high-end options to assist, including rapid deployment cameras, to be purchased before the end of this financial year.

A discussion was had in relation to litter picking incentives and the deposit scheme promised by central government.  A suggestion was made to lobby central government on the matter.  The Head of Community Services confirmed that it was being monitored and officers were waiting for the scheme to be rolled out by central government.  The Portfolio Holder reported that he had made inquiries on the matter to central government, and it had been predicted that implementation would be in 2024.

In response to a question from a Member, it was confirmed that any evidence presented by Councillors or the public could be used for prosecution purposes, so he urged all to report incidents if they were able to.

It was moved by Councillor C Benfield, seconded by Councillor J Geary and

RESOLVED THAT:

1)      The update on dog fouling, littering and fly tipping work be noted.

2)      Comments made by the committee be presented to Cabinet when it considers the strategy in January.