Agenda item

The report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods is attached.

The Environmental Health Manager presented the report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods which detailed an update on fly tipping and the Council’s response and delivered a presentation to the Group.

It was noted that fly tipping was the criminal act of dumping of waste on public or private land without the owners permission and that the Council’s Neighbourhoods team brought together the services responsible for responding to incidents of fly tipping and the work undertaken to reduce its occurrence through engagement, education and enforcement. It was stated, however, that the resources available to the Council to investigate fly tipping were very limited (0.75 fte across 4 members of staff).

The Environmental Health Manager noted that an increase in fly tipping incidents was a national problem and that in regard to the Borough of Rushcliffe fly tipping had increased by 320% since 2012. The Environmental Health Manager was pleased to note that there had been a decrease in fly tipping in the first couple of months of 2020 however, there had been a 185% increase in fly tipping incidents since June which coincided with the easing of lockdown restrictions. The Group were informed that during the first quarter of 2020/21 79.78 tonnes of fly-tipped waste was collected which was the equivalent of the average tonnage of fly-tipped waste collected during one year at a cost of £20,000.

The enforcement of fly-tipping was provided through evidence gathered from CCTV in fly tipping ‘hot-spots’ along with other information such as names, addresses and phone numbers found in the waste. The Council also worked with partners such as Nottinghamshire County Council (the disposal authority), the Environment Agency and Cleaner Notts Group. It was noted that such evidence and partnership working had resulted in criminal convictions including high profile vehicle seizures in 2019 and a recent stop and search exercise in Gotham with Nottinghamshire Police. 

Following the presentation, the Chairman suggested that an additional recommendation be approved by the Group and following a discussion it was agreed that the following be added as an additional recommendation:

In light of an increase in fly tipping incidents in the Borough, it is recommended that the Chief Executive be asked in conjunction with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder to review the resources deployed on enviro crime enforcement ahead of 2021/22 budget setting process with a view to providing suitable additional resource to cope with the increased workload.

Councillor Walker thanked the officers for their localised support in tackling fly tipping in Gotham and noted that residents had praised the Council for their fast response to clear fly tipping incidents. 

It was noted that residents had to be vigilant when requesting ‘man in a van’ type services using social media and Councillors requested that the Council patrol such community groups to ensure that residents were not scammed into hiring somebody to dispose of waste without a license.

The Group noted the good public reaction to the seizure of vehicles in 2019 however, raised concerns that the increase in fly tipping may be due to the closure of one recycling centre in Rushcliffe. However, the Environmental Health Manager stated that individuals were depositing of the waste knowingly that they were committing a crime. It was agreed that further advice and education was required to help residents make appropriate checks on who they are asking to dispose of their waste .

The officers suggested that Councillors encourage Rushcliffe residents to report fly tipping incidents and provide evidence where possible by taking photographs and making a note of the vehicle registration number.

It was RESOLVED that

a)    The report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods be noted

b)    In light of an increase in fly tipping incidents in the Borough, it is recommended that the Chief Executive be asked in conjunction with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder to review the resources deployed on enviro crime enforcement ahead of 2021/22 budget setting process with a view to providing suitable additional resource to cope with the increased workload.