Action on fly tipping
On-the-spot fines should be used as one of a range of measures to combat fly-tipping in the St Albans District, a Council Committee has urged.
Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) could also be issued for other low-level environmental crimes such as littering.
The Local Services Scrutiny Committee of St Albans City and District Council supported the introduction of FPNs at its meeting on Thursday 10 December.
Among the other initiatives designed to deal with a rising number of fly-tipping incidents, the Committee agreed to:
• Ask Hertfordshire County Council to increase opening hours at Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) to previous levels as part of a pilot scheme;
• Undertake more activities with the Police to target offenders; and
• Further promote proper waste disposal methods to residents.
Councillor Anthony Rowlands, Chair of the Committee, said: “Fly-tipping is a growing problem that spoils the landscape and also costs the Council £40,000 a year to clear up.
“We looked at this issue in September and after further work the Committee has made a series of recommendations that we want to see pursued.
“Fixed Penalty Notices would be a major change and the Committee felt we need such a new and forceful tool to deter people from illegally dumping rubbish.
“We also want to investigate whether the reduced hours at recycling centres has contributed to the problem. We will ask the County Council for help in doing this.
“More work with the police and greater efforts to raise awareness among residents of their responsibilities are among the other actions we want the Council to pursue. It all adds up to a comprehensive approach to the problem.”
The Council’s Cabinet will now consider the recommendation that FPNs are introduced. It will also decide if there should be more co-operation with the police and greater promotion of recycling issues to residents.
Fly-tipping has soared nationally with incidents rising 20% across England in 2013/14.
FPNs can be issued to an individual or business when a Council officer has sufficient evidence for a successful prosecution.
They can be issued on-the-spot or by post where there is photographic or witness evidence.
The standard penalty for fly-tipping is £300 while for litter it is £75. If the fine is paid, the person concerned faces no further action such as a court prosecution which could result in a criminal conviction.
In January, the County Council and its contractor reduced opening hours at HWRCs to save money. They are now open for five days a week instead of seven.
Feedback from farmers has indicated fly-tipping may have increased as a result, although it has been very difficult to substantiate the link.
The Committee will now ask the County Council to restore the original opening times at the District’s two HWRCs in Harpenden and St Albans as part of a pilot scheme.
Levels of fly-tipping in the District would then be compared to other areas where the reduced hours are still in force.
District Council Officers and the Police carried out Operation Brunch last year to try and deter fly-tipping.
Over 85 vehicles were stopped to see if they were carrying waste without a licence and a number of warnings were issued.
Council officers are now working with the police to organise further enforcement days.
Councillor contact:
Councillor Anthony Rowlands, Chair of the Local Services Scrutiny Committee of St Albans City & District Council. Tel: 07761-232064 Email: anthonyrowlands@hotmail.com
Contact for the media:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 296130
E-mail: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StAlbansCouncil
Notes:
1. Fly tippers can be fined up to £50,000 or go to prison for up to five years
2. Fly-tipping is defined as the random illegal deposit of controlled waste, being of equal or greater volume than a single black bin bag. The estimated cost of clearance of fly-tipping to local authorities in England in 2013/14 was £45.2 million. There were over 852,000 incidents in the year, a rise of 20% on the previous 12 months, with 2,000 resulting in prosecutions.
3. The National Fly-tipping Prevention Group is a national organisation that aims to prevent and tackle fly tipping. The Local Government Association is a member. More details can be found on http://www.tacklingflytipping.com/
4. The Local Services Scrutiny Committee scrutinises public services provided to residents in St Albans District and issues about the area. More information is available on the Council’s website at: https://stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=389